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Book review: Callistus of Rome by Jill Francis Hudson

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I have admired the writing of local author Jill Francis Hudson for many years, so I bought a paperback copy of her latest book, Callistus of Rome from a local bookshop. I was a little concerned that a book set in the time of the Roman emperors might include some particularly gruesome incidents similar to those in Robert Graves’ books, I, Claudius and Claudius the God. Although there is violence and adult content I did not find Callistus of Rome too distressing.

This post consists of the book blurb, my review and links to reviews of other books by the same author and related books.

The blurb

The great Marcus Aurelius is dead, and now the Roman Empire buckles under the yoke of Commodus his cruel and capricious son. As trust in the old gods wanes, exotic faiths compete for its devotees while the evolving Christian Church is plagued by rivalries which threaten to tear it apart.

Two of Rome’s Christians face crises of their own.

Callistus, the banker’s enslaved apprentice, cheated by a client and abandoned by his closest friend, finds himself running for his life.

Marcia the emperor’s concubine, fearing for her own survival as well as the empire’s, resolves to take the law into her own hands.

Meanwhile on the empire’s eastern frontier a princess is growing up in an ancient kingdom long since swallowed up by Rome. But she and the women of her house are destined to wield more power than even their proudest ancestors could have dreamed of.

Between them Callistus, Marcia and Mamea will change the history of Rome and its Church forever.

My Review

Callistus of Rome is not a lightweight novel, having almost 500 pages and covering the way the young Christian Church developed its beliefs and practices. It is easy to read, being written in modern English. There is nothing about the use of English, which jars with the historic setting. The story is exciting with Callistus in particular facing many trials. I found it fascinating and read it from cover to cover in the space of 5 days.

I have to admit that I didn’t notice the note about the cover picture until I had finished reading the book, so I was unaware of Callistus’s destiny. I don’t like spoilers, so that was all to the good!

The book is divided into chapters headed with a character’s name within three sections also with character’s names. Although I had read the dedication at the start of the book, I didn’t really register that it summarised Callistus’ career.

Jill Francis Hudson is a linguist, classicist and theologian. She has brought this story to life with a rich vocabulary and realistic historical background.

In my opinion Callistus of Rome is her best book yet. It is available in paperback and as a Kindle edition.

I have previously reviewed A Fortress Among My People and The Last Queen of Sheba. I have also read and enjoyed her earlier three books, Rabshakeh, Zoheleth and Hadassah – tales of ancient Israel.

Another of my friends and acquaintances also writes fiction set in ancient Rome. I have read and reviewed  The Senator’s Darkest Days by Joan E. Histon, which is part of a trilogy.

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Ubi sunt #AtoZChallenge

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Letter U 2010-2024 Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Ubi sunt? is Latin for ‘where are?’  This reminds me of the song, Where have all the flowers gone?

I responded to Linda Kruschke’s challenge with another attempt at a terza rima about nature. More details about the challenge are in my post for the paint chip challenge. Linda’s post for has more information about the rhyming scheme for a terza rima. The stanzas are three (terza) lines long apart from the final line.

Beach illumination
Where are all the seashells now?
Peachy crab shells dropped by gulls
Litter the beach; those birds make a row!
This poet seeks rhymes and mulls
Over the way the beach changes.
Graphite coloured clouds appear. Light dulls.
Spring tides have highest ranges.
Opposite extremes are neap tides.
Motion of the rough sea arranges
Shingle, while sand’s movement hides
Fixed rock and prehistoric wood.
Human curiosity abides.
Learning about creation is good.

My theme for the Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge this year is my poetry. There are photos of a beach on my other blog, Sue’s words and pictures.

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Terza rima #AtoZChallenge

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Letter T 2010-2024 Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Like some of the earlier poetic forms I have attempted for this challenge, the terza rima has a set rhyming scheme. More details may be found in Linda Kruschke’s paint chip challenge.

The paint chip words were blank canvas, lavender, whirlpool, seedling, happily ever after, golden, and cliff’s edge. My poem first appeared in this post.

Happily ever after?
Over the red sandstone cliff’s edge
Seabirds congregate in pairs
Raising their chicks on every ledge
No space for twigs, eggs of theirs
Sit on the guano-stained rock
Looks from parent birds are glares.
In the sea spawning fish stock
The larder for days ahead;
Famine could decimate the flock.
The rising sun does not shed
Its light on these birds’ young chicks –
But golden light going to bed.
As these birds’ future lives mix
Chances – death or survival,
So we should be helping to fix
Seedling hopes of revival,
Offering heartfelt prayers
For every new arrival
That eternal life will be theirs.

My theme for the Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge this year is my poetry.

Yesterday 22nd April 2024 was Earth Day, but this poem has more of an environmental than yesterday’s.