The Donation of Constantine: A Novel

by Simon LeVay

Overview

In the middle of the eighth century, the decaying city of Rome lies defenseless against the advance of the warmongering Lombards. The new Pope, Stephen II, appeals for help from the Eastern Emperor, but none arrives. In desperation, the Pope's younger brother and an English nun conspire to change the course of history-at the risk of their own souls.

Based on real people and actual events, this is a story of intrigue, passion, war, and the struggle for control of medieval Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781470132156
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	10/09/2013
Pages:	434
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Simon LeVay is a neuroscientist and writer. Born in Oxford, England, he was educated at Cambridge University and the University of Göttingen, Germany, and has served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He is best-known for his research and writings on the biological basis of sexual orientation. LeVay is the author of 11 previous books, including the New York Times bestseller, 'When Science Goes Wrong'. The Donation of Constantine is his second novel. He lives in West Hollywood, California.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/17/2014
LeVay (When Science Goes Wrong) provides an intriguing look at eighth-century Rome and a critique of the complexities of historical truth in this fictional account of the creation of one of the seminal documents in European history: the Donation of Constantine. With Aistulf, King of the Lombards, poised to overrun Rome, Paul, the brother of Pope Stephen II, and Leoba, a nun, missionary, and scribe, concoct a desperate scheme to forge a letter from Emperor Constantine I giving the Pope temporal power over the West. LeVay presents an intriguing view of the clash between social necessity and individual faith that successfully evokes a world with concerns familiar to modern-day readers. Additionally, the author offers a coherent, fact-based picture of the ambiguities of historical truth and the shakiness of the foundations of society. The inclusion of historical background information weighs down the narrative at times, but the complexity of the novel's issues provides room for reflection on the perversion of fact and dogma in the face of necessity.

Publishers Weekly