"The Bronze Door" by Karin Ciholas
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Editorial Review
In The Bronze Door, Karin Ciholas ushers us into the charged atmosphere of the First Century AD, where the tectonic shifts of belief and empire shape the lives of her vivid cast. Here, history is not a distant specter but a breathing presence; the tumult of Greco-Roman decadence and the nascent whispers of Christianity converge in a society trembling on the brink of transformation. Simon of Cyrene, steadfast in his Jewish faith, emerges as a focal point, his household a crucible where the clash of tradition and new ideology plays out. His wife, Aurelia, and their children explore the revolutionary tenets of Christianity, embodying the tensions of a world in flux.
Ciholas achieves a rare alchemy, conjuring characters who stride forth from the pages of ancient texts, their humanity palpable, their dilemmas achingly modern. The imposing figure of Valerius, both feared and vulnerable, exemplifies this duality, his complexity anchoring a tale where political intrigue and religious upheaval entwine seamlessly. This is not merely a historical novel; it is a meditation on the constancy of human struggle against the backdrop of epochal change.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its attention to detail. Ciholas’s meticulous research breathes authenticity into every scene, whether in the depiction of bustling marketplaces or the quiet, inward moments of faith and doubt. While some readers may feel the narrative occasionally lingers on its historical foundations, others will revel in the immersive tableau she creates.
The pacing propels the story with a quiet urgency, each chapter an invitation to delve deeper into the lives of these remarkable figures. As Simon defends his people, his family’s personal explorations mirror a broader societal transformation, culminating in a resolution both satisfying and open-ended.
The Bronze Door is a masterful exploration of faith, family, and resilience—a luminous window into an ancient world that feels strikingly immediate.
4 stars – Xanadu Book Awards
In my historical novel, I want you to see, taste, and feel first-century Rome and walk through the streets of Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria is the intellectual hub of the empire and the site of the famous Lighthouse.
I delight in discovering the quirks, qualms, and quests of my characters and suffer with them when they go through heartbreaks and challenges. We meet strong women, emperors, generals, artists, scientists, and philosophers. But I am also intrigued by the lives of the less powerful who step onto history’s stage and make a difference. Such a man is Simon of Cyrene—a Jewish physician—whose passion is healing.
I was born in Virginia and grew up in Switzerland where I studied modern and ancient languages. The study of Latin and Greek led me to a life-long fascination with the ancient world and its history.
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