Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore

A Novel

De: Stella Duffy

Narrado por: Davina Porter

A bravura performance: a witty, moving, sexy book that bursts with as much color and excitement as the city of Constantinople itself." -Financial Times

Roman historian Procopius publicly praised Theodora of Constantinople for her piety-while secretly detailing her salacious stage act and maligning her as ruthless and power hungry. So who was this woman who rose from humble beginnings as a dancer to become the empress of Rome and a saint in the Orthodox Church? Award-winning novelist Stella Duffy vividly recreates the life and times of a woman who left her mark on one of the ancient world's most powerful empires. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore is a sexy, captivating novel that resurrects an extraordinary, little-known figure from the dusty pages of history.

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Reseñas de la Crítica

"Theodora is a best-of-all-worlds book -- entertaining, gripping, thoughtful and dangerously enlightening. Stella Duffy, a versatile and gifted novelist, is uniquely suited to bringing Theodora to life. She clearly has great affection for her subject, but does not allow that to undercut her keen eye and pitch-perfect ear. An achievement that many writers will envy and few will equal."— Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author of What The Dead Know

"Duffy's seductive retelling of the story of the legendary empress Theodora will delight historical fiction fans."— Publishers Weekly

"Duffy's retelling of the true story of a woman (500-548) who rose from lowly beginnings to become Empress of the Byzantine Empire is lively and dramatic."— Library Journal

"There's... intelligence and empathy under the energetic potboiler surface."— Kirkus

"Duffy's passion for her heroine, the charismatic Theodora, is evident on every page. The result is a novel that remains true to its historical sources, whilst managing to reinvent its subject matter with great freshness and verve. A vivid and affectionate portrait of one of the most fascinating personalities of the ancient world."— Sarah Waters

So-So

Historical Fiction that has a lot of fiction and not much history. Davina Porter is the best thing about this book but in the end I really didn't care about the characters

Theodora is quite the entertainer!

I really loved this book about a smart woman who survives and succeeds despite great hardship. I particularly loved the part in the desert, though I wouldn't have expected to, not being particularly religious. She was redeemed, but in a very authentic and real way. It was well written. Davina Porter is excellent as usual, and a very good choice for this book.

And although I did miss a stronger historical aspect to this historical novel, I found it very entertaining. (I had hoped for a little more in the way of the atmosphere of The Sheen on the Silk by Anne Perry. A mashup of the two books would make for an excellent novel of life in Constantinople.) I do recommend Theodora, and know I will read it again and again.

Fascinating historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Important period of history breathed into life through the lens of Theodora's life.

The author illustrated the mindsets of the day, the religious and social questions that vexed most everyone and how people in intolerable social situations made their lives.

Funny how many of the religious and social issues explored in the book remain unresolved some 2000 years later.

I was initially concerned that perhaps the sexual aspects of Theodora's life would be exploited, and was relieved by the lack of graphic detail. Nothing salacious.Super book. Read it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore?

The entire book poignantly showed how few options women have for autonomy in a patriarchy. Theodora's requisite service as a sex worker was treated even-handedly; I'll always remember the scene where she matter of factly paid her way from the hinterlands to Egypt by servicing two young shepherds who let her ride in their cart.I related to the description of how she disassociated her spirit and body throughout, and how she brought the two together through her time in the desert as penitent.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Davina was one of my attractions to this book; she is a masterful narrator.

If you could take any character from Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sophia the actress/whore/pimp. She was a dwarf and a woman who found a way to make her life in spite of her social and physical constraints. I'd want to understand what went through her mind and how she coped.

Any additional comments?

A must-read.

The characters come to life

An exquisite book that brings to life one of the most important, powerful and interesting women in history. I will be buying physical copies for friends and lovers of literature and history. I am excited to read any titles by Stella Duffy. Thanks to history hit for telling us about this work and this great author!

Eh....

I am a Byzantine enthusiast and had higher expectations. This is a very difficult period of history to write about so I'll give the author some credit. Extinct religions were mainstream back then, yet the author managed that tricky exposition rather well. Some of the historic elements were mostly researched and well organized. But the book seems to summarize characters and events rather than penetrate that world. The people and places are very much at arms-length. The author's use of modern language also broke the spell of being in the Sixth Century. Ah well, average all around.