Theodora: Great With History, A Little Light On The Sexy Details

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore by Stella Duffy is a fascinating work of fiction depicting the early life and ascent to power of a woman who rose from the world of theater and brothels to prominence in the royal court.

Stella Duffy is a gifted storyteller, and her choice of subject matter makes for a compelling read. Sixth century Constantinople and its surrounding areas come to life through Duffy’s vivid descriptions. The setting of the novel nearly wrestles with its heroine for the reader’s attention. Markets, city life and even the desert pulse with energy thanks to Duffy’s writing.

Of course, Theodora is an intriguing main character. From actress and prostitute to penitent and spy in the palace and finally empress, both her physical and emotional journey make the reader curious as to what transformation and cast of characters await on the next page.

However, any fan of romance novels or other books you might secretly buy before checking out at the grocery store will most likely be disappointed. The “whore” part of the title is a little misleading. Yes, Theodora is a prostitute, and she takes her share of lovers of both sexes, but the reader is told rather than shown this aspect of Theodora’s life. There are no steamy scenes, no drawn-out seductions. Duffy lets you know the characters had sex and moves on. If you’re an open or secret fan of anything slightly more salacious, you won’t find it here.

As historical fiction, Theodora will delight readers. It shines light on an often-unexplored time in history and one of its more obscure characters with vibrant language and ample intrigue. But, if you prefer your reading material with barrel-chested men on the front, this really is a book you can’t judge by its cover. 

I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.