Nicaea: A Book of Correspondences [Hardcover]

Martin Rowe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1584200200 | ISBN-13: 978-1584200208 | Publication Date: September 2003

The ancient Turkish town of Iznik, formerly Nicaea, is the setting for this novel that weaves together past and present to explore age-old questions such as the nature of love, the role of the artist, and the expression of faith. Beginning with the present-day seekers Adam and Marianne, who attempt to rekindle their love affair after twenty years, the story of what happened in this town deepens through flashbacks, not only in their own lives, but through Nicaea's famous history as well. Through correspondences and many different storytellers, we hear a multitude of voices, from famous historical characters that guided the theology and politics of the early Christian church -- Eusebius, Arius, Athanasius and Constantine the Great -- to sometimes lyrical, sometimes fantastical fictional characters like the serving girl who outwits a Sultan, the irreverent pranksters Karagoz and Hajivat, or the cook who confounds Death. All their struggles with timeless themes of love, the state versus the individual consciences, and what constitutes faith are set against a backdrop of the ever-mysterious and shadowy Nicaea, perhaps the most important character of all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this elliptical work of religious-historical fiction, Rowe pays lyrical tribute to the ancient Turkish town of Iznik, once the Roman city of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was written. We first arrive in present-day Iznik with Adam, who's come to the fabled city seeking God and romantic love; with him is his beloved Marianne, and the middle-aged lovers attempt to rekindle their passion after 20 years apart. Rowe then moves centuries back in time to ancient Nicaea, with several chapters of correspondence between figures of the early Christian Church-Eusebius, Arius and Athanasius-who discuss the nature of the Holy Trinity. Rowe also introduces Constantine's Empress Eirene as she awaits her execution, a Scheherazade-like serving girl who spins tales for the sultan and a cook who tries to evade death by taking refuge in a deep hole. Though the chapters are linked by the Nicaea setting and religious overtones, Rowe's approach, focusing less on Adam and Marianne's modern-day love story than on the past, results in a book that reads less like a novel than a finely wrought collection of short stories. Rowe's prose is fluid and eloquent, but the constant shifts in era and story can make following the narrative a challenge. Yet this is an impressive fiction debut, and readers interested in early Christian history will find much food for thought here.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'For those who enjoy transpersonal explorations into the complex web of love in both ancient and modern society, this book will appeal.' -- Light: A Review of Spiritual and Psychic Knowledge, Winter 2004 'Jerusalem, Athens, Rome and now, thanks to Nicaea, that ancient Turkish town wil be added to the litany of spirit-birthing places. Finely crafted and researched, this book informs the mind as it joyously entertains the heart.' -- David Applebaum, Editor of Parabola Magazine 'In evocative prose, Martin Rowe conjures awake the soul of a city that has played a pivotal role in shaping our modern-day religious landscape. Through his imaginative storytelling, he brings vibrantly to life the forgotten tales and lost characters of a city that, over the centuries, simmered in a magical stew of theological debate and mystical allure. Nicaea is not just historical fiction -- it is a meditation on the spirit of place, the mystery of faith, and the human struggle to decode the secrets of love.' -- Pythia Peay, author of Soul Sisters: The Five Sacred Qualities of a Woman's Soul

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 283 pages
• Publisher: Lindisfarne Pr (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584200200
• ISBN-13: 978-1584200208
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,680,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Rowe is the co-founder of Lantern, a book publishing and media company, author of two novels (Nicaea: A Book of Correspondences and Bertie Wooster and the Lizard King [the latter banned by the P. G. Wodehouse Estate]), and co-author of Right Off the Bat: Baseball, Cricket, Literature, and Life. He is also the editor of a non-fiction anthology, The Way of Compassion: Vegetarianism, Environmentalism, Animal Advocacy, and Social Justice. A long-suffering supporter of the England cricket team, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars new literary genre, December 14, 2003

By 

Meg Funk - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nicaea: A Book of Correspondences (Hardcover)

When have you read a book that is 'brand new'? Martin Rowe used the late antiguity famed city of Nicaea for the center of historically modified characters like Eusebius, Arius, Athanatius and put them in conversation with each other and mixed in another ten corrrespondents both antient and contemporary to delve into mystery of relationships, all out lusting for truth and wisdom, ways of living for meaning that is somehting for which to die. Each correspondent is textured with layers of meaning and fit together as a satifying whole if the reader only take in the whole book and let it work as an entity...like the place Nicaea itself..there's something in this book that will endure beyond the writer.

For me, a Benedictine Nun, I especially identified with the two woman deaconesses as they were surrendering, "Give us your love so it might be returned, given to us so we might know the belovedness of being loved." (256)
This book is the best read of 2003 for me. I recomened it for those who read widely, but want specific entries of hope in this troubled world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big and mythic ..., November 3, 2003

By 

William Jens Jensen (North America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nicaea: A Book of Correspondences (Hardcover)

A wonderful, personal story that tells of our Western cultural roots through the eyes of those who have lived and nurtured them. Rowe is a wonderful storyteller whose language is reminiscent of Rushdie's best (without the tiresome irony), and whose insights and mythic tales delight with a too-often forgotten sense of wonder. Nicaea is highly recommended for those who require intelligent writing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delicious mult-course meal, October 9, 2003

By 

Zoe Weil "President, Institute for Humane Edu... (Surry, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicaea: A Book of Correspondences (Hardcover)

Martin Rowe's writing is simply beautiful - like poetry - lush, vivid, imaginative and evocative. Reading Nicaea was delicious, like savoring a gourmet meal with so many courses.

Over and over I was reminded of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children. Rowe weaves together so many stories, tales and events. Sort of breathtaking how he manages to pull so much together. A pleasure to read.