Jerome and His Women

by Joan B O'Hagan, Professor Richard Johnson (Foreword by)

Overview

Historical fiction about the controversial Saint Jerome is given a contemporary twist

Rome, 382 AD. When the Pontiff commissions Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, it is a political masterstroke. Jerome's Vulgate displaces the many alternative biblical texts and plays a critical role in establishing Christianity as a world religion. Yet Jerome is his own worst enemy and quickly alienates the ruling elite, many of whom are targets of his famously sarcastic wit.

What is less known is that Jerome is assisted by a circle of aristocratic women who risk their lives in the pursuit of their ideals. Chief among them is the attractive young widow Paula, as devoted to Jerome as she is to his cause. Rumours circulate as his enemies plot to dispose of Jerome once and for all ...

Foreword by Richard Johnson, Emeritus Professor of Classics, Australian National University.

Edited by Denise O'Hagan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780646943701
Publisher:	Black Quill Press
Publication date:	10/05/2015
Pages:	290
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Joan O'Hagan (1926−2014) was an internationally published author of fiction. She grew up in Canberra and studied Classics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. After working in New Caledonia and England, she lived most of her life in Rome, Italy before returning to Australia in 1997. For further details, please see: https://www.joanohagan.com and https://blackquillpress.com/independent-publishing/jerome/

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
One: The Commission
Two: Intrigue in High Places
Three: Expulsion from Rome
Four: Afterwards
Historical Postscript
Glossary of Names
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

'Offers incredible insight into the achievements of a much maligned yet very important figure ... and the women surrounding him.'

Dr Mario Baghos, St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College, Australia

'That's the twin gift of ​Jerome and His Women​: it is an insight into extraordinary times and people, and into a talented researcher and writer.'

Robert Fairhead, Writing NSW

'O'Hagan gives her readers a fascinating look at the man behind that controversial masterpiece' (the Vulgate).

Joanna Urquhart, Historical Novel Society

'A compelling vision ... of what Rome was like at a particular moment in its transition from capital of a pagan empire to the City of God.'

Richard Blake, novelist Richard Blake's reviews

'O'Hagan pens a meticulously researched novel that vividly shines a light on a time that shaped Western society forevermore.'

Wendy J Dunn, historical novelist

'If you have a religious/theological interest and want to see real historical characters who are involved in those matters brought to life, this is your book.'

Fred Mench, Professor of Classics, Emeritus

'(O'Hagan) ... makes this flawed genius more understandable as a human being ... and gives us the wonderful story of St Paula of Rome, patron saint of widows ... That story alone is enough to recommend this book.'

National Council of Priests of Australia

From the Publisher