Captured and castrated as a boy, Zeno is sold into slavery in Constantinople. Bought by the greatest scholar of the age, he is soon drawn into a labyrinth of sex, heresy, murder and intrigue. Though the empire is threatened by a heretic uprising and a barbarian invasion, its rulers think only of themselves. In the cruel and glittering city of Constantinople, a ruthless general, a bisexual boy-emperor, a worldly patriarch, a peasant usurper and a half-Viking empress all vie for power. Unknown to them, the real power lies elsewhere, among the devious and decadent eunuchs of the palace. Zeno conspires, deceives, manipulates and murders, his divided loyalties leading him deeper into danger until he is forced to betray those he loves.
Memoirs of a Byzantine Eunuch: Original Fiction in Paperback
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
About the Author
Christopher Harris is an American fiction writer who is fond of dogs and has red hair. Harris attended Cornell University and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
"If you still had your balls," the charioteer muttered, "I'd cut them off." Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
"If you still had your balls," the charioteer muttered, "I'd cut them off." Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.ca
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb historical fiction
Oct 5 2008
By Porgy
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Although the title seems a bit risque, it is in fact a very well researched and entertaining book about life in 9th century Constantinople. Situating the fictional eunuch Zeno at the center of the dynastic, religious, political and military strategems during the reign of Emperor Michael, the book provides very detailed accounts ranging from discussions of various so-called heresies that plagued the scholars of that time to the eating habits of the rich and not so rich. Throw in a thwarted invasion of the Rus (the Vikings), the methods of "cutting", and a nicely imagined love story, and you have a highly recommended book.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Unique Book, A Bit Too Promiscuous
Mar 10 2011
By K. Nash
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An interesting story about an orphaned boy named Zeno who was captured by the Rus during one of their raids on Tmutarakan, then castrated and sold to a couple of well-known philosophers in Constantinople. The story of Zeno's life is portrayed in a fast-paced lifestyle of high-ranking nobility, officials, and church leaders. Zeno is an outsider no matter where he goes, and he makes the best of his situation by becoming a confident of the Patriarch of Constantinople in order to survive.
Although Zeno is a very likable character who has to overcome a lot in a society that is torn about how to handle eunuchs, I thought that the story had a bit *too* much sexual graphic material that really didn't fit into the story (the "member of Christ" was particulary blasphemous - and I'm NOT a prude person)...
There are not a whole lot of books on Byzantine historical fiction, so I purchased this on a whim.
If it were not for the language and many completely unnecessary sexual situations, it would be a five star book for sure!
Although Zeno is a very likable character who has to overcome a lot in a society that is torn about how to handle eunuchs, I thought that the story had a bit *too* much sexual graphic material that really didn't fit into the story (the "member of Christ" was particulary blasphemous - and I'm NOT a prude person)...
There are not a whole lot of books on Byzantine historical fiction, so I purchased this on a whim.
If it were not for the language and many completely unnecessary sexual situations, it would be a five star book for sure!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched.
Jan 26 2012
By zimzuvig
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
A bit rambling. The reader needs to remember to check the dates at the top of each section, or can suddenly find himself confused by a sudden jump in time.
I did read this one through, finding it interesting in the main, though with some quite bizarre incidents - the behaviour of the senior palace eunuchs with the young male servants? I don't think so!
The reason I rated this 3 stars rather than 2, is the way that the eunuchs thought of the 'beards.' (whole men) It sounds just exactly what they might really have thought. eg, Zeno says on P145, 'Not for the first time, I wondered what it must be like to be attached to such an unruly member,' and 'The penis is a tail that wags the dog.'
Worth reading if you're interested in books about eunuchs, but there are better ones out there.
I did read this one through, finding it interesting in the main, though with some quite bizarre incidents - the behaviour of the senior palace eunuchs with the young male servants? I don't think so!
The reason I rated this 3 stars rather than 2, is the way that the eunuchs thought of the 'beards.' (whole men) It sounds just exactly what they might really have thought. eg, Zeno says on P145, 'Not for the first time, I wondered what it must be like to be attached to such an unruly member,' and 'The penis is a tail that wags the dog.'
Worth reading if you're interested in books about eunuchs, but there are better ones out there.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
