A beautiful, satisfying novel. ( )

Look the cover and title might make you believe this is some sort of Romance Novel. It isn't but it is a love story. Well researched and written, it is also a fairly compelling read. The thing that would have improved my experience with the book, was a better understanding of Augustine's life. This isn't a book about Augustine, but who he was is a part of the core of this love story. So if I had brought more background to the story I feel like I would have gained more from the story. Still well worth the read. ( )

3.5 Stars

I confess, I’m not usually interested in fiction set in the Roman era. I prefer my Medieval Fiction and Regencies- and I wasn’t massively interested in Augustine of Hippo- though I have seen a movie about him, which went into a lot of details about his early life.
One thing that attracted me to this book was the background of the author. British born (always a plus when it’s by a compatriot) and a Cambridge Graduate- and besides- Augustine lived in a period that just about counts as the beginning of the Medieval era. So……

Overall, I liked The Confessions of X a lot. The writing style was wonderfully descriptive and evocative of the world and environment of the characters, giving a sense of sights, sounds and smells. As someone who’s actually travelled to North Africa, the details of that region were fascinating.
The intent of telling the story of an unnamed women, lost to history was well achieved, with believable portrayals of many of the key characters and their relationships. The love between Augustine and X was one that one could feel was genuine. I would say the treatment of the relationship between the protagonists is less like the mushiness one finds in a lot of romances. However- there were, as others have pointed out, a number of sexual references, which, although not graphic- were descriptive- and at times a little too much. I guess I really didn’t want or need to know about.

In terms of the historical content- the characters seemed to be mostly ‘of their time’, although many of Augustine’s beliefs about Christianity before his conversion seemed to mirror those of modern sceptics and atheists, rather than a Platonist, and adherent to a Late Roman pseudo-Christian sect. Clearly, most of the details of the story were meticulously researched (despite the odd modern Americanism- like the characters talking about the season of ‘fall’).

Other reviewers have questioned the inclusion of this story in the Christian fiction genre, as the protagonist’s religious affiliations are decidedly ambiguous (I would say she leans more on the side of pagan than Christian)- and because of the nature of her status in relation to Augustine- his concubine instead of his wife. In this regard, though I don’t mean to condone illicit sexual relations, it’s hard to ignore that various biblical figures had concubines and this was not something they were condemned for.

I would personally leave it to the reader’s discretion whether they wish to count this as Christian fiction or not. It’s certainly a touching, moving and fascinating story of love and loss.
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An amazing beautifully written novel-- the character-driven fictional reminiscences of the longtime unnamed concubine of Augustine. He is known to posterity as Blessed or St. Augustine, the famous bishop of Hippo in North Africa, before he answered his call to the spiritual life. X is a woman "lost to history"; the author has conceived a perfectly plausible persona for her. She is the daughter of a poor mosaic-maker, travelling with her father and helping him in his trade. She meets the young student, Augustine, and in a church for which her father has made mosaics, they pledge life together and eternal faithfulness to each other. The novel follows her throughout her life with him in North Africa, Rome, and Milan and afterwards she gives him up by returning by herself to North Africa, not standing in his way of his professional advancement. The novel explores the nature of love in its many guises-- love of sweetheart, father, of son, of dear friends and of loss and heartbreak.

A stunning novel, one I am glad to have read and will never forget. I knew the very basic story, since I've read Augustine's [Confessions] but often my eyes would mist over with tears and I'd have to stop temporarily, get my breath, use tissue after tissue and continue. The characters were so REAL and the writing so gorgeous. I entered fully into the story and could anguish with them. The pear/pear tree seemed to me to symbolize: first, satisfying physical hunger; then Monica's dream expressed Augustine's hunger for complete peace in his life. The final pear tree in the bishop's courtyard where she sits narrating her life's story tells us that he has found what he's looking for. ( )

To read a book filled with rich history is such a treat. The story is breathtaking and very in depth. It revolves around a concubine of Augustine of Hippo. It's funny that we don't know much about her but with the wonderful writing of the author, her story is being told for all to read. It's nice when an author does research on a subject and it is transformed into a story that sweeps across the pages. The details are superb and the depth this woman had on Augustine was very touching.

Many know that St. Augustine was a Catholic philosopher but what did this young woman do to his life? Did she help make decisions or influence him in any way? The symbolism is a interesting as St. Augustine must decide what they mean. Is a baby significant enough to experience unconditional love? The transformation that X portrays in the story is both pure beauty and a journey that captures a love so touching that you can't help but feel the emotions. I found myself glued to the pages as I read of a little known person who had so much impact on a well known figure in history. What is the plan that God had for St. Augustine? Will he accept it or struggle through great loss and pain? This is truly an exceptional story of love, loss, pain and the call of God on a person's life. I enjoyed every intricate detail of a love story that captures you in an era that was hard for some. The decisions that X makes are heartbreaking but shows how love can be both rewarding and painful at times.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review. ( )