This book is so good! Many tears were shed as I read about her life and her sacrifice (though this is technically fiction). I read this book in just a couple of days. Funny thing is that when I started it, I wasn't sure I would even finish it. But given just a few chapters, I was wholly engrossed. The author tells the story so beautifully (though I'm a skimmer and I tend to rush over the details). Many times I reread sections of the book. I've never read a story about this time period. After reading, I did more research about Augustine and the times of his life.

Finding the words to express my feelings about this beautiful book is difficult. "X" became a real person to me, from her travels with her father a mosaic layer with an artist's touch to her bereft heart as he leaves her in her aunt's care. She longs to travel with him again, to see her friend Nebridius, but one day her father doesn't return, and thus her life is propelled on a different - one that will lead her to meet Augustine, as well as set the course for tremendous joy and heartache. Wolfe explores this anonymous woman and creates a compelling picture of the relationship between Augustine and his concubine, here simply called "X," in keeping with her name being lost to history. While she is loved and taken care of by Augustine, their life is not easy. Life in general was not easy in late antiquity, often precarious and rife with suffering, which Wolfe deals with honestly and respectfully.

Wolfe's writing immerses the reader fully in ancient Carthage; the heat of the desert, the dangers of every day life, as well as the rules regarding the roles of women are so well realized in the story. "X's" first-person narration is finely done - her voice is distinct. Wolfe's prose is almost poetic at times, rife with lush descriptions, as well as deeply emotive.

"...we scrubbed the tesserae brushes dipped in sand and oil and then rubbed them with leather cloths, smoothing and burnishing until the whole floor shone, my father explaining that any roughness in the surface would catch on sandals, dislodge the tiles, and destroy the mosaic over time. Such polishing we do to our memories so they will not snag on our souls and cause us to stumble."

With that lovely passage, I felt myself fall deeply into the story, though I worried for what I knew was to come for her. I have a fairly rudimentary knowledge of Augustine, but seeing him through her eyes has such impact. Her deep love for him, their son Adeodatus, as well as others in his family, and her heartbreaking sacrifice is the biggest take away from this novel. I am appreciative to the author for giving this anonymous woman a voice, and I also appreciate the historical notes explaining that he most likely kept her name out of his writing in order to protect her, not out of shame or embarrassment. Details like this, as well as what concubine meant in those days in comparison to it's modern connotation are fascinating. These immersive historical details and more, along with X's strong characterization make The Confessions of X one of my favorite reads this year.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review; this is my honest opinion.

I received Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe from the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Guild. Now I am familiar with the age-old adage to not judge a book by its cover, but I often do so anyway. This was one case where I did judge the book by its cover, and I therefore didn't even pick it up to read it for weeks. I don't know why, but for some reason the cover just seems (to me) to show a woman so covered in shame that she can't raise her head, so tainted that her sins were like scarlet, as red as crimson. I've dealt with enough shame in my life that I didn't really want to read a story so seemingly consumed with someone else's. When I turned the book over to read the back of the cover, I discovered that the story was about St. Augustine's concubine. Really? I thought to myself. Really. THIS is what the Fiction Guild sends me? What happened? They've done a pretty good job so far of picking stuff that I like to send to me. But this? Who would want to read a story about a concubine?



Eventually, though, I did start the book, because I had to review it. (Which I've since discovered isn't required) I have to admit, it took me several more weeks to get into the story. The first 30-50 pages were riddled with paragraph-length sentences and unusual vocabulary words that made the reading tedious yet slightly poetic. But mostly tedious. Then around the 50 mark, bam! I was in love. I don't even remember a specific event that happened to the character, but somehow, the wording became easier to read, the story started flowing, and I was hooked. And by "hooked", I mean like hook, line, and sinker. Totally captivated. I've managed to tear myself away from the book--I'm a little over half way through right now--to come here and write about it. If the you've heard of or seen this book but the cover and/or summary has thrown you off, I suggest giving it a try anyway. So far, and I cannot speak for the rest of the book as I have not as of yet finished it, the book is fantastic. The character isn't weighed down with shame; in fact, she's lighthearted and free. She's loved and she's lost a few people along the way so far, but she's followed her heart and kept her head held high. She's gotten me captivated, and I dearly hope that the story doesn't end with something that makes her hang her head the way that she is doing on the cover, because so far, this book is shaping up to be on my Top 10 list for 2016.



Thank you so much to the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Guild for sending me this book. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.

To read a book filled with rich history is such a treat. The story is breathtaking and very in depth. It revolves around a concubine of Augustine of Hippo. It's funny that we don't know much about her but with the wonderful writing of the author, her story is being told for all to read. It's nice when an author does research on a subject and it is transformed into a story that sweeps across the pages. The details are superb and the depth this woman had on Augustine was very touching.

Many know that St. Augustine was a Catholic philosopher but what did this young woman do to his life? Did she help make decisions or influence him in any way? The symbolism is a interesting as St. Augustine must decide what they mean. Is a baby significant enough to experience unconditional love? The transformation that X portrays in the story is both pure beauty and a journey that captures a love so touching that you can't help but feel the emotions. I found myself glued to the pages as I read of a little known person who had so much impact on a well known figure in history. What is the plan that God had for St. Augustine? Will he accept it or struggle through great loss and pain? This is truly an exceptional story of love, loss, pain and the call of God on a person's life. I enjoyed every intricate detail of a love story that captures you in an era that was hard for some. The decisions that X makes are heartbreaking but shows how love can be both rewarding and painful at times.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.

I fell in love with the character X. The fact that she actuallt existed is part of what makes this story so compelling. Ms. Wolfe takes the reader back in time to the Roman era and you can imagine the world through her words.

I recieved a copy of this book for free from the guild in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.