Sydney Avey
Dynamic Woman — Changing Times
Book Review: The Confessions of X
The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Confessions of X illustrates the power of historical fiction to portray the earthiness of a saint in ways ethereal iconography cannot. Suzanne M. Wolfe gives us a slant on Saint Augustine that helps us mortals understand a mystery. That is, the roots of divine love dig deeply and affect our most formative relationships.
I confess I didn’t get beyond the second chapter in Augustine’s Confessions. Still, the man himself intrigued me. A poor little dissolute rich boy gives up his earthly inheritance for a Godly one. Although many facts are known about the Christian bishop and theologian, Wolfe shows us his heart.
Because the author describes daily life, the settings come alive. Wolfe captures lively interactions between different classes of people in ancient West Africa. This is where Augustine met the woman who became his concubine. Wolfe portrays their ill-fated relationship in a realistic way, thus making the story believable even though the actual details are undocumented.
Timeless and unchanging experiences
Hundreds of years between early Christianity and today shrink as Wolfe reveals the power of love, the pain of separation, and the healing of forgiveness. These are timeless and unchanging experiences we can identify with.
Perhaps most relevant, the author brings to light the culture and politics of Augustine’s day. I strongly believe Christians should view the developmental years of the early church in context. Listening to good pastors who have studied church history and literature, and reading authors who exercise imagination to bring events to life–these activities build our faith.
Very timely and sounds intriguing. My current reading pursuits are historical fiction, so I will definitely add this to my reading list for the year. Thanks!
I am hearing that historical fiction is making a comeback.Good news for many reasons. Historical fiction often has the elements of literary fiction– complex characters, beautiful language, nuance, and layered meaning. Also, it can provide much needed context to some of the issues we struggle with today. With the current trend to revise history to suit politics, historical fiction offers alternative points of view. So, good for you! I’d love to see your list.