Review: The Eagle and the Swan
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 16, 2014
Much of what is known about Empress Theodora has come to us through the writings of one of her contemporaries, Procopius. He was a historian of her age and he wrote about Justinian and Theodora - in one book he praised them and in his "Secret History" found many, many years later he presented a totally opposite picture. What is truth? As with most situations like is - it probably lies somewhere in the middle. This novel is Theodora's response to Procopius's Secret History; she has a trusted friend write it with the caveat that it not be read until 1500 years in the future when it will be better received and understood.Like Theodora, the daughter of a bear trainer who grew up to be an actress, then a whore, then a courtesan - the book is bold, raw and ribald. Theodora directs it and she states from the start that she will not lie nor will she present a life of sunshine and sugar. She will tell her story, warts and all.I must admit that while she was not always likable I really liked Theodora. She was handed a really raw deal in life and yet she used what she had - her looks and her brains - and she rose to be Empress. She worked for women's rights in a time when women were nothing more than chattel. I wonder what more she might have done had her life not been cut so short. The book was riveting and I loved losing myself in Theodora's world as unpleasant as it was at times.4.5*I received a free copy for my honest review