4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"...no word, no sound or color in this world would enable me to describe the light that suddenly enveloped me.", May 6, 2010
This review is from: Cecilia (Paperback)
The above quotation continues, "I saw it, I perceived its fragrance and heard its harmony though I was dissolved in its sweet crown of fire: a light compared to which the sun would appear opaque and pale, a light that permeated soul and body, dissolving boundaries, and emanated happiness and love, peace and fulfillment." A young woman in Imperial Rome is trying to describe her elation at her mystic union with the ineffable. Something traumatic and life-threatening had brought her to this ecstasy, but she would use it to turn away from the pantheon of gods she had known to the one God and Christ. Since the Rome at the end of Marcus Aurelius' rule (180 A.D.) considered Christianity atheistic, by adopting it and being baptized, despite being of a high-born family, Cecilia joined the ranks of those who could at any time be discovered, captured, and tortured to death.
Saint Cecilia, according to Catholic Church history, was martyred for her faith, after both her husband, Valerian, and his brother met the same fate. However, hagiography claims miracles during several attempted executions of Cecilia, although she finally succumbed after three days. Because the story of this saint is by turns sketchy or possiblly legend, Linda Ferri has plenty of elbow room to embellish in the name of rounding out characters, time, and place; and she makes good her advantage, for the most part.
Cecilia is a work of literary art that beautifully, poetically, expresses the insecurities, jealousies, astute observations, passions and changes that overcome this Roman girl both before and after her marriage. An only child because other siblings had been miscarried or died by the age of five, teenage Cecilia begs for a delay in arranged nuptials. She, like her father, loves learning, and she fears having to endure losses similar to her mother's. She is inquisitive, sensitive, and already feels a guilt about a slave's death that occurred when they were children playing together. But, when Valerian comes along, Cecilia's passionate nature leads her to join with him eagerly.
Then Ferri diverges substantially from the usual history by having only Cecilia convert. The author's Valerian is an ambitious young man who wants nothing to do with this zealous sect, so Cecilia is left to her own devices in the secret Christian community that teems with its own insecurities and pettiness as it struggles to spread the gospel. I was rather disappointed that Ferri chose to depict Cecilia and Valerian as ultimate opponents rather than allies, but possibly the choice was made to strengthen Cecilia as a character of courage and destiny.
On the other hand, Ferri's decision not to describe the traditional agonies of Cecilia's last days was a good one, in my relieved opinion. Her Cecilia escapes execution and can pray, "Lord, we must trust you with humility, accept your miracles: the dream you gave my father about my lifeless body, life that I wanted and that you wished to give me again."
However, perhaps it is we, the readers, who are being led down a merciful garden path when she adds, "Paradise is the lost garden. It is the garden." Cecilia is a mystic, someone who has visions and who often dreams. She invites, no, challenges us to see where the line between reality and fantasy really lies. Not to mention that Cecilia, who lost many loved ones in her short life, seeks hope in the promise of eternal life (one of the reasons she is drawn to the Christians). Why shouldn't her story read as though her life had continued, even if it hadn't?
This novel renders for the reader a particular portrait of love burning in a girl who searches for a way to let it shine its brightest. Set apart from those she loved and to whom she was joined, Cecilia embraced a different God to release the light inside.
CECILIA is highly recommended, especially to those who look for and cherish novels about Imperial Rome, the early Christian church, and the mystical mind. (4.5 stars)
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent historical novel, October 26, 2010
This review is from: Cecilia (Paperback)
St Cecilia has always fascinated me, this story is a beautiful telling of her tale. Cecilia has everything a young roman would want, she even has her doting father under her spell. She becomes involved with the budding Christian movement and this is the story of how she becomes more and more of a believer and is eventually executed for her faith. The story is told in absolutely beautiful prose, with great feeling. The book does not mock Christianity and it also doesn't preach, its a lovely surprise, and anyone who loves historical novels especially about Rome or the early church should give it a read.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful piece of Historical Fiction, May 31, 2010
This review is from: Cecilia (Paperback)
St. Cecilia has always been a favorite saint of mine, so when I saw this at the local bookstore, I was thrilled and bought it in a heartbeat.
I was not let down. Ms. Ferri creates a very human and relateable character. Cecilia is moving and touching and I felt that I was right there with the character.
An excellent book. Should be made into a movie.
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