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118th out of 599 books
—
692 voters
The Beacon at Alexandria (The Hera Series)
In the Fourth Century A.D., independent and determined young Charis is forbidden to become a doctor because she is a woman. Disguising herself as a eunuch she flees Ephesus for Alexandria, then the center of learning. There she apprentices to a Jewish doctor but eventually becomes drawn into Church politics and is forced once again to flee. She serves as an army doctor at...more
Paperback, 376 pages
Published
July 1st 2003
by Soho Press
(first published 1986)
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I love history, but lately I've been reading a lot of Tudor England books. This book was completely different in time period, but the desire for sex, money, and power was still the same.
Charis of Ephesus is the daughter of a prominent citizen of Ephesus. Her brother wants to be a lawyer and she wants to be a physician. Of course, this is not possible in Ephesus a of centuries after Christ.
The new governor accuses her father of possibly trying to overthrow the Emperor. Her quick thinking helps he...more
Charis of Ephesus is the daughter of a prominent citizen of Ephesus. Her brother wants to be a lawyer and she wants to be a physician. Of course, this is not possible in Ephesus a of centuries after Christ.
The new governor accuses her father of possibly trying to overthrow the Emperor. Her quick thinking helps he...more
*Do NOT read the synopsis on the back of the book/goodreads—gives away the entire story. Literally. The whole plot.*
It’s been almost ten years since I read this book for the first time, and it still has a powerful hold on me. I can’t explain exactly why it is a favorite; sure, it has the bold and brave girl-who-disguises-herself-as-a-boy in order to do what she loves, but it’s so much more than that. Charis is one of those characters that I can’t help loving and rooting for, and her journey dur...more
It’s been almost ten years since I read this book for the first time, and it still has a powerful hold on me. I can’t explain exactly why it is a favorite; sure, it has the bold and brave girl-who-disguises-herself-as-a-boy in order to do what she loves, but it’s so much more than that. Charis is one of those characters that I can’t help loving and rooting for, and her journey dur...more
The intriguing story of a young Ephesian woman named Charis who avoids a marriage arranged by her father by disguising herself as a eunuch (Chariton) and escaping to Alexandria to learn and practice her one true love – medicine and doctoring. Or, as it was more beautifully called during the 300s A.D., the art of healing. Living as a man is not easy for her at first, but Charis is able to closely guard her secret from almost all as she studies to become a doctor. The irony is that, even as a eunu...more
Charis is a wealthy young maiden of Ephesus, she is lovely, intelligent and altogether obsessed with the art of medicine. With the help of her brother and her old nursemaid, she flees marriage with a brutal man who accused her father of treason and tortured her friends. For her, it turns out to be the chance of a lifetime. She disguises herself as a eunuch and travels to Alexandria, the world's capitol of medicinal knowledge. Apprenticed to a true Hippocratic, she enters a world of wounds, herbs...more
One of my favorite books of all time. Charis, an Ephesian aristocrat, flees an unwanted marriage with a brutal official, by disguising herself as a eunuch and going to Alexandria to study medicine. Once she becomes a doctor, a series of coincidences lead her to becoming the personal physician to Athanasius (yes, THAT Athanasius), catapulting her into undesired political intrigue. Her adventures will take her past the borders of the late Roman Empire, and lead her into both adversity and love. Br...more
Gillian Bradshaw is my favorite historical author, hands down, and this is my favorite book of hers. It's one of the books I reach for when I need something to read for just a minute -- and one of the ones I usually wind up reading straight through (again) because I can't leave it unfinished.
Charis is a wonderful character; the world building is exquisite; the romance is handled subtly and beautifully and doesn't take over the book -- not only did I just re-read BEACON for the fifth or sixth tim...more
Charis is a wonderful character; the world building is exquisite; the romance is handled subtly and beautifully and doesn't take over the book -- not only did I just re-read BEACON for the fifth or sixth tim...more
This is a terrific book. I picked it up because I previously read Anne Perry's "The Sheen on the Silk," and a review here had stated that this book was better. I not only agree wholeheartedly but think that Ms. Perry ripped off Gillian Bradshaw's better, earlier written, book. The story here is engaging, and Charis' character is well-developed. I identified with her as a victim of fourth century cultural norms and her desire to be the master of her own destiny. The story has lots of twists and t...more
This book had everything I look for in a book: a female protagonist who is not defined by her femaleness. Someone who has a calling in her life (in this case the calling to be a doctor) and will let nothing stop her from practicing her art. It has romance, which is not the primary focus of her life (nor the source of great anguish; she deals with it and still does her job, which is awesome). Charis (the main character) is practical, driven, passionate, rational, and just wonderful. I couldn't pu...more
Good epic about a teenage girl of noble birth in the eastern part of the Roman empire in the fourth century. To avoid marrying a violent suitor and to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, she disguises herself as a eunuch and sails for Alexandria. The characters infuse the story with details from contemporary intellectual history.
For a similar storyline, refer also to Anne Perry's The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel.
For a similar storyline, refer also to Anne Perry's The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel.
Feb 23, 2011
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of Historical Fiction
I probably love this more than it deserves so feel torn how I should rate it. Is this a deathless historical classic such as Gone With the Wind, Name of the Rose or I, Claudius? No. Neither its style nor an ability to place me in a foreign, alien mindset places it in five star territory. Is this book and are Bradshaw's works in general great favorites I out and out love? You betcha.
Charis, the heroine and narrator of the tale is arguably too modern in her outlook--but it doesn't stop me from lo...more
Charis, the heroine and narrator of the tale is arguably too modern in her outlook--but it doesn't stop me from lo...more
I finally finished "The Beacon at Alexandria" by Gillian Bradshaw. It took me a really long time to read this book. I liked it fairly well, but it was long. It is only 350 pages long, but it felt like forever. Basically it is a story of a young woman in Ephesus during the third century who runs away from her about to be arranged marriage and goes to Alexandria to become a doctor. The rest of the story is her career and attempts to remain disguised as a eunuch. The idea was a good one, but I foun...more
This is a novel about an aristocratic girl, Charis, in Ephesus around 380 AD. Her father wants to marry her to a crony of the Emperor Valens, who has been appointed governor of the province. Festinus is a cruel and sadistic man and to avoid the marriage Charis cuts her hair, disguises herself as a eunuch (changing her name to Chariton) and flees to Alexandria to study medicine. Chariton is a prodigy and becomes the personal physician to the Nicene bishop Anthanasius (lauded by Gibbon) and involv...more
It is very difficult to make a self-determined female in an historical setting not seem, at best, oxymoronic and at worst a puppet of modern sensibilities. Somehow, Gillian Bradshaw manages it in this eloquent, slow-moving yet motivating read about a woman who studies medicine in an otherwise restrictive world, eventually needing to disguise herself as a eunuch in order to continue practicing, while fighting an attraction to a male who may or may not understand her.
Gillian Bradshaw does a fabulous job of bringing the fourth-century Roman Empire vividly to life as noble-born Charis, disguised as a eunuch, travels from Ephesus to Alexandria to the army outposts and Visigoth encampments in Thrace. The myriad details about ancient medical practice, early church politics, military and Jewish daily life are fascinating, yet woven seamlessly into a suspenseful, character-driven novel that moves at a satisfying clip.
This book does a great job of showing several different areas of the Roman empire, different classes and races of people, as well as the warring with the Visigoths and the weaknesses created by corruption. It was a bonus that the main character was studying medicine and you see the beliefs of the day pertaining to that, as well.
Feb 12, 2013
Michiel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes history
Recommended to Michiel by:
goodreads
This is the kind of book that, once I find it, makes me so happy. I had never heard of this author or this boook had it not been for Goodreads. The only thing I didn't like was that it had to end.
Charis is a young noblewoman of Ephesus during the early Christian era. The Church is rife with heresies, and the Empire is split and beset with barbarian hoardes. Against this background, Charis works to pursue her dream of becoming a medical doctor.
To tell the truth, that description doesn't do a lot...more
Charis is a young noblewoman of Ephesus during the early Christian era. The Church is rife with heresies, and the Empire is split and beset with barbarian hoardes. Against this background, Charis works to pursue her dream of becoming a medical doctor.
To tell the truth, that description doesn't do a lot...more
Very engaging tale. Often these historical women in men's clothes stories border on the ridiculous. Bradshaw weaves a fine believeable tale of a woman bucking the times to follow her hearts desire. The story is intelligent and well researched.
Set in ancient Alexandria, the story is of an independent, aristocratic young woman who wants to a a physician but is barred from this activity because she is female. She disguises herself as a boy and works to achieve her dreams.
Jul 09, 2009
Katrina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Historical Fiction or Women in History
Shelves:
adult,
historical-fiction
Bradshaw's conversational writing style hooks you immediately and takes you into the vast Roman empire shortly before its downfall, makes you feel as if you're really there, by focusing on one young woman, Charis, and her struggle to find her identity and be true to herself. The characters are people you wish you knew, the situations Charis finds herself in keep you on the edge of your seat, and the incredibly researched detail and descriptions add depth to the narrative without ever overpowerin...more
Gillian Bradshaw is an outstanding author of historical fiction; she studied classics at Cambridge and her attention to detail is reflected in her novels. Beacon at Alexandria describes the trials of Charis of Ephesus, who dreams of studying medicine in the 4th century Roman Empire and diligently reads Hippocrates. Threatened by an impending engagement, she manages to disguise herself as a eunuch and travel to Alexandria and fulfill her lifelong dream. As time passes, she also begins to realize...more
So few historical novels are set in the Byzantine empire - and this proves more should be. Of interest to anyone who likes medicine and the later Romans. Or just strong women coming of age stories.
The book is very good. I love everything about life there in the city of Alexandria. I had read many books about womens who dress of men and most the books I liked.
The premise is a bit far-fetched and the situations a bit unlikely, but the writing is good and the history and geography quite interesting. I enjoyed it.
Another way back yonder when read. I really do like this author. I first read an Arthurian trilogy by and adored it. Well researched historical fiction.
it was good in that it was a book you can read without thinking too much. it is predictable to a fault, but still entertaining.
Bradshaw makes her novels set during the Roman Empire come to life with her great characterizations.
I loved this book - my all time favourite. I read it like 20 times already and will read it again.
I have never read a book before about this era in history. Gillian Bradshaw is a good writer.
mmmm. This is one of my all time favourite books. Rereading it is like settling in for a delightful evening with an old friend.
Loved this book. Very historical. Superb writing, and very gripping story.
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Born in Arlington, Virgina, Gillian Bradshaw grew up in Washington, Santiago, Chile and Michigan. She is a Classics graduate from Newnham College, Cambridge, and published her first novel, Hawk of May, just before her final term. A highly acclaimed historical novelist, Gillian Bradshaw has won the Hopwood Award for Fiction, among other prizes. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their four...more
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“You are like Odysseus, who could go out onto the great sea, lose all his goods and his friends, come to the boundaries of death, and return still himself.”
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Apr 11, 2011 04:42pm