In 406 BC, to seal a tenuous truce, the young Roman Caecilia is wedded to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from the city of Veii. The fledgling Republic lies only twelve miles across the Tiber from its neighbour, but the cities are from opposing worlds so different are their customs and beliefs. Leaving behind a righteous society, Caecilia is determined to remain true to Roman virtues while living among the sinful Etruscans. Instead she finds herself tempted by a mystical, hedonistic culture which offers pleasure and independence to women as well as a chance to persuade the Gods to delay her destiny. Yet Mastarna and his people also hold dark secrets and, as war looms, Caecilia discovers that Fate is not so easy to control and that she must finally choose where her allegiance lies. Exploring themes of destiny versus self-determination and tolerance versus prejudice, The Wedding Shroud is a novel that vividly captures a historical time and place while shining a light on the lives of women of the ancient world.
The Wedding Shroud
This book is superbly executed, a really involving and beautifully told piece of historical fiction. My heart was in my mouth sometimes and it's emotionally very engaging too, as the reader is drawn into the dilemma of a young girl from an austere and intolerant culture discovering the amazing world of Etruria with its decadent but liberal society.
Guest, 01/10/2010
