The Purple Shroud - Softcover

Duffy, Stella

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844087786 ISBN 13: 9781844087785

Publisher: Virago, 2013

Synopsis

Once, Theodora was little more than a slave, the daughter of a bear-keeper, running barefoot through the streets of Constantinople. Now she is Theoudoron, 'the Gift of God', Empress of Byzantine Rome and the most powerful woman in the world.

'Hard-nosed, cruel, imaginative, kind, frustrated, generous, ruthless: Theodora is, in Duffy's hands, a richly paradoxical character from whom the light of life shines brightly' GUARDIAN

In Stella Duffy's compelling new novel, the beguiling and extraordinary Empress Theodora emerges from the shadow of history into brilliant light. Clever, courageous and ruthless when betrayed, Theodora rules alongside her husband, the Emperor Justinian - a true love match in a world of political marriages. But while wars rage on the borders of the Empire, Theodora discovers that the greatest danger to her reign - and her life - lies much closer to home.

'Highly enjoyable' SUNDAY TIMES

'A writer who never lets you down' ALI SMITH

About this title

About the Author

Dr Stella Duffy is an award-winning writer of seventeen novels, over seventy short stories and fourteen plays. In 2016 she received the OBE for services to the arts. Stella is also a psychotherapist working in private practice and for a low-cost community mental health service. She has recently completed her doctorate in Existential Psychotherapy, researching the embodied experience of post-menopause.
Her website is: www.stelladuffy.blog

From the Back Cover

I am your Empress, sir. I stand in the purple beside you, here with your men, your advisers, your generals. I know it has been said that too often I speak where a woman should remain silent. It may be inappropriate, but this crisis does not call for what is appropriate, it calls for what is right.
Once, Theodora was little more than a slave, running barefoot through the streets of Constantinople. Now she is Theou doron, 'the Gift of God', Empress of Byzantine Rome and the most powerful woman in the world.
Clever, courageous and ruthless when betrayed, Theodora rules alongside her husband, the Emperor Justinian. While wars rage on the borders of the Empire, she discovers that the greatest danger to her reign - and her life - lies much closer to home. From the catastrophic and terrifying riots that burn through the city, to vengeful enemies at the palace, to plagues and plots and murder, Theodora learns what it truly means to be Empress.
'Hard-nosed, cruel, imaginative, kind, frustrated, generous, ruthless: Theodora is, in Duffy's hands, a richly paradoxical character from whom the light of life shines brightly'
Guardian

'Duffy's prose is indulgently rich and her scholarship impressive. This sumptuous courtly novel revolves around Theodora's intriguing character'
Literary Review

Edition details

• Publisher: Virago
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844087786
• ISBN 13: 9781844087785
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 390