Today I'm welcoming Christopher D Stanley and his book - A Rooster for Asklepios (A Slave's Story Trilogy Book 1) - to my blog as part of the blog tour hosted by The Coffee Pot Book Club (founded by Mary Anne Yarde).
A Rooster for Asklepios
Marcus, a slave in the household of Lucius Coelius Felix, enjoys a better life than most slaves (and many free citizens) as the secretary and accountant of a wealthy aristocrat. His master is rising in the civic life of the Roman colony of Antioch-near-Pisidia (central Turkey), and his responsibilities and income are growing as well. If this continues, he could soon earn enough to buy his freedom, set up a small business, and even marry.
Then
misfortune strikes, and his master falls into a deep depression that
is exacerbated by a nagging illness that his physician is unable to
cure. The future looks bleak until the physician receives a
dream from the healing god Asklepios calling Lucius to travel
hundreds of miles across western Asia Minor to his sanctuary at
Pergamon for treatment and, he hopes, a cure.
Accompanied by Marcus and his new wife Selena, Lucius embarks on a long and eventful journey in which both master and slave encounter people and ideas that challenge long-held beliefs about themselves, their society, and the world around them. Values are questioned, loyalties tested, and identities transformed in a story that brings to life a corner of the Roman empire that has been neglected by previous storytellers.
Publication Date: May 23rd 2020
Publisher: Amelia Books
Page Length: 522 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
You can purchase a copy of the book via -
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rooster-Asklepios-Slaves-Story-Trilogy/dp/B08978G39W
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08978G39W
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Rooster-Asklepios-Slaves-Story-Trilogy/dp/B08978G39W
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Rooster-Asklepios-Slaves-Story-Trilogy/dp/B08978G39W
Now for the review -
I have become rather fascinated with Ancient History of late, so when I was offered the chance to read a review copy of A Rooster for Asklepios (A Slave’s Story Trilogy, Book 1) by a professor of social and religious history of the Greco-Roman world, I knew that this was a book that I just had to read. Christopher D. Stanley has presented his readers not only with a book that portrays the era, but it is a story that is based on actual historical sources. And what is really great about this novel is that Professor Stanley has presented his readers with a map, that you could, if you so wished, use to travel to the places named in the book - how cool is that?
The story is set in Asia Minor in the first century. I know next to nothing about what was happening in Asia Minor during this period of history, but that did not matter, for Professor Stanley is a competent tour guide, and not once did I find myself confused or befuddled as to what was going on, and the customs that were being observed.
The protagonist of this story is a slave of Lucius Coelius Felix. Marcus is a very loyal slave, and he is also very learned. He is both a secretary and accountant for his master - and despite being a slave, Lucius depends on him to help with the smooth running of his business. Marcus is in an extraordinary situation because although he is still a slave, he is treated with respect by his master and he is even used as a comparison when Lucius is trying to explain to his own son why it is so important to act with decorum at all times. He even goes as far as saying he would disinherit his son and make Marcus his heir if he did not get his act together - so to speak. I really felt for Marcus when his master announced this! Marcus is a character that I really came to care about. He was certainly a character that I enjoyed getting to know.
Lucius’ character not only gives this story drive - it is his illness that dictates the narrative, but he also demonstrated how fickle the Gods could be and how politically motivated many of these sacred sacrifices were and how they could, quite literally, bring ruin onto a household if they so chose to. The augurs really did hold a very powerful position in this society. Prayer, ritual, and sacrifice are clearly depicted as being a very important part of every day life, which I found fascinating.
The story itself is incredibly engaging and although this book is very long, it was at no times a chore. I really enjoyed picking up this book every day, and I never found myself losing any motivation to read it. The skilled narrative, the fascinating characters, and the history itself, makes this book a must read for those who love historical fiction. I thought this book was really rather brilliant.
I would also like to introduce you to book 2 in the trilogy -
A Bull for Pluto
After a lengthy and eventful stay at the sanctuary of Asklepios in Pergamon, the time has come for Lucius and Marcus to return to Antioch. Selena had been sent home earlier when Lucius learned that she was pregnant, and the impending arrival of the winter snows could soon make it impossible for them to reach their destination before the child is born.
To Marcus’s surprise, Lucius announces that he plans to stop for a while in Hierapolis to bask in the healing waters of the city’s renowned hot springs. Here Marcus meets a young woman named Miriam who challenges him to embrace his long-hidden Jewish ancestry. Marcus is torn between his budding love for Miriam and the cost of heeding her advice.
A tragic decision by Lucius seals their fate, as their full attention must now be devoted to preserving Lucius’s life. They reach Antioch in time to learn that Lucius’s son Gaius has failed miserably in his management of the household while his father was away. If Lucius should die, Marcus, Selena, and her unborn child will be at the mercy of this tyrant. To fend off this danger, Lucius must tell Marcus the full truth about his past, a truth that will ensure Marcus's future at the cost of his master's honor. Can he bring himself to act before his inevitable end?
You can purchase a copy via -
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bull-Pluto-Slaves-Story-Trilogy/dp/1732698139
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732698139
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Bull-Pluto-Slaves-Story-Book/dp/1732698139
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Bull-Pluto-Slaves-Story-Book/dp/1732698139
Praise for A Rooster for Asklepios and A Bull For Pluto
This
compelling and enjoyable story offers the reader a superb 'insider'
view of life in the first-century Greco-Roman world. I enjoyed
traipsing around Anatolia with Lucius and Marcus!"
-Dr.
Terence Donaldson, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament,
Wycliffe College, Canada
"The
realism of this story reflects the author's deep first-hand knowledge
of the landscape and culture where the narrative takes place."
-Dr.
Mark Wilson, Director, Asia Minor Research Center, Antalya,
Turkey
"This
well-researched book really brings the Roman world to life!"
-Dr.
Alanna Nobbs, Professor of Ancient History, Macquarie University,
Australia
"The
amount of research, imagination, and effort involved in crafting this
story earned my admiration, and stirred my curiosity, too."
Dr.
Mark Nanos, Lecturer, University of Kansas, USA
Christopher D Stanley
CHRISTOPHER D. STANLEY is a professor at St. Bonaventure University who studies the social and religious history of the Greco-Roman world, with special attention to early Christianity and Judaism. He has written or edited six books and dozens of professional articles on the subject and presents papers regularly at conferences around the world. The trilogy A Slave’s Story, which grew out of his historical research on first-century Asia Minor, is his first work of fiction. He is currently working on an academic book that explores healing practices in the Greco-Roman world, a subject that plays a vital role in this series.
You can connect with the author via -
Website: https://www.aslavesstory.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aslavesstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aslavesstory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aslavesstory
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/christopherdstanley
You can find out more about the books and the author by visiting the other blogs on this tour.
That's it for now.
Till the next time.
Take care Zoe.
I am so glad your enjoyed A Rooster for Asklepios.
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