It is Anno Domini 1083. At the Blachernae Palace in Constantinople, a princess is born. What will her fate be? Will she be married off in order to create an advantageous political alliance? Or will she be sent to a monastery for showing disobedience? Anna Komnena refuses to follow the suffocating traditions of her time. Despised by some, admired by others, she decides to break the chains of … subjugation and follow her heart. For the freedom of her mind and spirit, she will pay a heavy price.
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his is a good introduction to this time period, late 11th and early 12th century Constantinopble and surrounding areas. It’s always fun to see my long ago ancestors interacting.
As I read this book, it always seem to me, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I mean this in the best way possible! As each life changing event happened, I waited for the main character’s death. I was happily surprised! In my opinion this was a great saga “light”. Lots of details and events without the blood and gore and horrific details that are in so many books today. I can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you!
This was a great book about a time that I do not know much about.
I read this book in stages which is maybe not the best way. I just could not get into it that much.
Learned a lot, and enjoyed the writing. Characters were well drawn, interesting.
I found it boring.
I found the dialog rather predictable.
The plot was too slow four me
Gives insight to past royalty.
The complexity of the characters in this book is only slightly minimized by the authors attempt at a glossary of characters. The historical setting enables some of the twists and turns of plot that often left this reader rereading for the details.
Author gave great details which really made story come alive Only negative was that for royalty, they spoke very commonly
Quite interesting story.
The end was a non-event. It was really good, and then it was just….not much.
Among the best I’ve ever read.
History
Interesting, but I was slowed down by the constant back-and-forth time line.
Well written. Historically interesting since I don’t know much about this area and period of history.
“Born in the Purple” is a great historical story, which is set in Constantinople and Philippopolis, in the Greek speaking part of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 12th century.
The main character is Anna Komnena, a Byzantine princess who lives in the Mangana Palace above the Sea of Marmara. Anna must navigate a world full of danger, intrigue and powerful figures.
Despite being constrained by the expectations of her position, role in the royal family, and the influence of the powerful Eastern Orthodox Church patriarchs, Anna’s intellect is as strong as her character and her desire for learning.
By today’s standards she would be deemed a ‘nerd.’ At Philippopolis she is able to study medicine with Asclepius.
It’s the time of the Crusades and Anna meets Tancred de Hauteville, a handsome Norman knight – but she must marry Nikephoros Bryennios, a Byzantine general. Anna’s mother, the Empress Eirene, pointed out that in a position like hers, marriage is not an affair of the heart.
I liked Anna’s determined character and enjoyed the story that unfolded immensely.
The scenes are well described, but we only get glimpses of some of the characters, and others are not mentioned at all. For instance, although we see Alexios, Anna’s first-born, I would like to have known more about her other children. It’s probably for the sake of keeping the book at the right length, but although we see Anna the physician, we only get a glimpse of Anna in her role as a mother.
The story was also peppered with some Greek words, a glossary of those at the back of the book would have been nice.
But these are minor issues that don’t detract from the story.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy historical fiction.