Who ignited the women's rights movement?
Today I get to introduce author Douglas A. Burton and his heroic sage of the Byzantine Empress Theodora, described as "a courageous girl who challenged the Roman-Byzantine aristocracy and
ignited the women’s rights movement." Having read the novel, I can quite agree with the description, and I'm longing for more! I highly recommend this book, and here's my review:
Far Away Bird by Douglas Burton
About the book: Far Away Bird - by Douglas A. Burton
Far Away Bird by Douglas Burton
Douglas Burton’s evocative novel of 6th Century
Constantinople brings to life the pomp and misery of a changing world. The
Roman Empire and the Christian church are split into opposing factions, while
emperors cling to power, popes cling to dogma, and streets fall to chaos. Young
Theodora’s happy childhood is abruptly halted by the death of her father, and
Far Away Bird tells the story of her growth into powerful womanhood. Readers
will know she’s destined to be an Empress, but how does a helpless girl sold to the
highest bidder reach such heights?
Vivid depictions of a city in chaos, rebellion, fire and
smoke, draw the reader in. A fascinating heroine, who already knows “it was the
will of the people that mattered… it was the Christian god who mattered most,”
promises a fascinating future. And the novel is equally gripping and evocative
in its descriptions of riot and violence as of music and monks, rich with
sunsets and smoke, and filled with haunting scenes from the Hippodrome to the
Hagia Sophia and across the world.
Unflinching in its depiction of cruelty and seduction,
haunting in the trials of a girl who might prefer revenge to the forgiveness of
a crucified “god,” and authentically relevant to the present day in its
questions of social and personal control, the pages turn quickly, and great
characters reveal great wisdom. “[I]n the end all battles are social battles,”
says one character. “Kingdoms used to
fight over territory… Now we fight over the definition of God,” says another. And a third, looking at relationships, describes how “real partnership requires no law.”
The novel stands alone, taking a child in a changing world
to a place where she can cause change, and leading to a very satisfying ending.
That said, I’m eager to read the sequel and see this woman achieve her destiny!
Disclosure: I was
given a copy and I freely offer my honest review. I loved it!
About the Book cover: Cover_artist_ George Frei at treehousemachine.com
About the book: Far Away Bird - by Douglas A. Burton
“…elegantly written historical tale in which [Burton] effortlessly
weaves sweeping emotion and fine detail…”— Kirkus
Reviews (Recommended)
Inspired by true events (historical fiction), Far Away Bird delves into the complex
mind of Byzantine Empress Theodora. This intimate account deftly follows her
rise from actress-prostitute in Constantinople's red-light district to the
throne of the Byzantine Empire.
Her salacious past has left historians blushing and
uncomfortable.Tales of her shamelessness have survived for centuries, and yet
her accomplishments as an empress are unparalleled. Theodora goes on to
influence sweeping reforms that result in some of the first-ever Western laws
granting women freedom and protection. More
than a millennium before the women's rights movement, Theodora, alone, took on
a world superpower and succeeded. Far
Away Bird goes where history classrooms fear to tread in hopes that
Theodora can finally take her seat among the greatest women in history.
Theodora seems impossible--yet her transcendence
teaches us that society can't tell us who we are deep down. Before there was a
legendary empress, there was a conflicted young woman from the lower classes.
Awards and Praise
Grand Prize for
Historical Fiction - Writers’ League of Texas - 2019 Manuscript Contest
Gold Medal - Coffee
Pot Book Club- Book of the Year - Historical Fiction
Bronze Medal - Coffee
Pot Book Club- Best Debut Novel 2019
“This book is, in all
ways, an absolute triumph.”— Mary Anne Yard, international best-selling author
of The Du Lac Chronicles
Book Details:
Historical Fiction
Release Date: February 6, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1733022101
Paperback: 394 pages
Publisher: Silent Music Press LLC (February 6, 2020)
Cover_artist_ George Frei at treehousemachine.com
WHERE TO FIND IT:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/far-away-bird-douglas-a-burton/1133972362?ean=9781733022101
https://www.amazon.com/Far-Away-Bird-Douglas-Burton-ebook/dp/B0848R1H6V/
Cover_artist_ George Frei at treehousemachine.com
WHERE TO FIND IT:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/far-away-bird-douglas-a-burton/1133972362?ean=9781733022101
https://www.amazon.com/Far-Away-Bird-Douglas-Burton-ebook/dp/B0848R1H6V/
About the Author:
Douglas Alan
Burton’s work depicts heroic figures and their deeper connection to the human
experience. Douglas’ blog readers enjoy his commentary about heroes, heroines,
and villains in pop culture with an unexpected and refreshing perspective. He
grew up in what he describes as “the heroic boyhood culture of late Generation
X” that has gone mainstream around the world. He also shares strategies with
fellow writers for writing compelling heroic characters in fiction.
Douglas recently
began outlining a breakthrough storytelling model that reveals a fascinating
“heroine-centric” model for story structure he calls “The Heroine’s Labyrinth.”
He believes the heroine is a powerful archetype that has widespread cultural
significance and deserves more attention. He lives in Austin, Texas with his
wife and two little boys.
Website: https://douglasaburton.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglasaburton
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