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Flow Down Like Silver

Ki Longfellow

Start date: April 1, 2019

Finish date: April 30, 2019

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May 08, 2019 Candi rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-i-own, africa

4.5 stars

"I am a mathematician, a philosopher, an astronomer. The people believe what they are told. I believe nothing, consider everything."

I applaud any book that makes me reflect deeply about my own beliefs. I am always open to learning new things and considering the opinions of others - which is why in many ways I could relate to Hypatia of Alexandria as depicted in this story. Besides, she was also a mathematician, and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for numbers (right next to t 4.5 stars

"I am a mathematician, a philosopher, an astronomer. The people believe what they are told. I believe nothing, consider everything."

I applaud any book that makes me reflect deeply about my own beliefs. I am always open to learning new things and considering the opinions of others - which is why in many ways I could relate to Hypatia of Alexandria as depicted in this story. Besides, she was also a mathematician, and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for numbers (right next to the place I hold just for words and books.) Why is it that until reading Ki Longfellow’s meticulously researched novel, I’ve heard very little about this extraordinary woman? Perhaps it was a lapse in my education combined with the fact that little has been written about her in general. I’m pleased that Longfellow has brought her to life here! Born in fourth century Egypt, daughter of then-renowned mathematician Theon of Alexandria, Hypatia lived during a very turbulent period in that city’s history. Alexandria was a center of culture and education, but also a place where much conflict between the Christians of the Roman Empire, the Jews and the pagans was intensifying. A non-Christian woman with great intellect must have been viewed as quite a threat indeed.

"Intelligence requires first the gift of curiosity. Without curiosity, who would ask questions?... Intelligence is the subtle arrangement of that which might or might not be true, the intuitive selection and the weaving of such selections into a pleasing whole that makes for meaning… As for wisdom, wisdom is simple. The wise are able to recognize, and to accept, that not only is one never intelligent enough, but that when all is said and done, one knows exactly nothing."

Hypatia understood her limits and that of others. She was constantly learning about and questioning everything around her. She did not preach against Christianity – she took into consideration the beliefs of all in order to develop her own philosophy of thought. In Flow Down Like Silver, the story is told from the point of view of several individuals – mainly Hypatia and an Egyptian known as Minkah, one whose life she once saved who in return becomes her lifelong protector (I could be wrong, but as far as I can tell he is purely fictional, although Hypatia had so many devoted followers that he perhaps represents any number of those.) We also occasionally hear from her sister Jone, one who eventually converted to Christianity, as well as Cyril, nephew of the archbishop Theophilus and later an archbishop himself.

I won’t go into many actual plot details, but the book begins with the burning of the library at the Serapeum by a band of impassioned Christians. This was said to house some of the last remaining books from the Great Library of Alexandria. Many scholars attempted to save whatever writings and scrolls they could. Therefore, much of this novel centers on the preservation of those books and on books in general. "Books are like ships carrying worlds within their holds. These are my paper ships. And all need saving." Many other important historical figures of the time are also minor characters and I appreciated learning about these men a bit more – Didymus, the theologian; Synesius of Cyrene, one of her most famous disciples and later bishop of Ptolemais; Orestes, Roman prefect of Alexandria; Augustine of Hippo, later made Saint Augustine; as well as the bishops Theophilus and Cyril. Hypatia’s teachings through her public lectures as well as through her own private reflections are also illustrated, and I found much of her philosophy quite fascinating.

Overall I would say this is an excellent piece of historical fiction for anyone interested in ancient history and philosophy. It’s not a difficult book to read despite the scholarly subject matter – it’s written in a way that one can easily grasp the ideas put forth. Hypatia was brilliant, athletic, courageous and open-minded. Hypatia ranks right up there with Circe if I had an official list of remarkable feminist heroines (I think I should compile one!) I’m giving this one 4.5 stars but rounding down just because some of the prose itself didn’t quite sparkle as much as I would have liked – but the writing is certainly intelligent so well worth it. I can’t wait to read Longfellow’s The Secret Magdalene next.

"To look on the human face or to hold a human hand, to lay one’s head as a bride on another and listen to the beat of their heart, to gaze at the wings of a moth or the petals of the lotus, to behold the shape of a shell or to be transported by the flow of musical notes – if God has spoken, surely this is that language." ...more

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Mar 25, 2019 Kelly marked it as to-read

Mar 06, 2017 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu marked it as to-read

Shelves: historical-fiction

Apr 21, 2019 Bianca is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks

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