THE SECRET HISTORY – Stephanie Thornton
A Novel of Empress Theodora
NAL Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-41778-7
July 2013
Historical Fiction

Sixth Century Constantinople

After the death of her father, Theodora must rely on her sister's and her own wits to put food on the table and a roof over her remaining family's heads.  In these days, the only way to assure one's self of these stable securities is marriage or steady work.  There are a few women of celebrated fame who have found success on the stage, but it comes with a price – the loss of pride and the shame at taking any man who will have them as lovers.

After a few days of thieving and barely scraping by, Theodora and her sister, Comito, apply to a theater for work; Comito may be successful as an actress, but Theodora has no talent to speak of and readily accepts work in the chorus.  For a while, Comito is able to earn wages enough for food and better lodging, but Theodora is more than ready to strike out on her own, however she may.  At first, it's just a few men; and the loss of her virginity is a small price to pay for money in her pockets.  But as any feelings of helplessness wither away, Theodora starts to shine on her own.  Boldly, she begins to garner more attention in the theater with its patrons both on and behind stage.

Then one night, Theodora girds herself enough to cement her celebrity and outshine any actress on the stage.  A spectacle is what is needed to take her out of the chorus, and she sets about making one of herself with a play that is both astonishing and titillating…if it doesn't land her in prison.

You may ask what is so worth telling the story of one lowly girl in Constantinople during a time when women did not have much power, science was considered sorcery, and map lines had barely begun to be drawn.  THE SECRET HISTORY depicts the story of this poor girl who would later become Empress.  When Theodora's work breaks her and she ends up as a young mother sharing rooms with a rival actress, Antonina, she must find a way to not only make her own way in the world, but one for her young son as well.  Through tears, fear, self-discovery, and frustration, Theodora's tides turn.  Finally Theodora finds safety and happiness with Justinian, the man who will become Emperor upon his uncle's death.

THE SECRET HISTORY is, at turns, historical fiction blended with romance, and all told in a modern tone that at times jarred me from the time period.  Of course, English was not the native language back then, and if Stephanie Thornton could've written this book in some ancient language, I would've been screwed.  At first I was determined that I wouldn't like this book.  But, I've got to be honest – it was a page turner.  A bit dark and violent in the beginning, THE SECRET HISTORY was exceptional and not like anything I've read yet.  Theodora is untrusting and coarse, but this is tamed when she meets Justinian and later becomes his confidante in the new government, and later his wife and empress.  I enjoyed the characters of Justinian and Antonina endlessly.  They lend a modern texture to the story and provide a colorful tapestry to the book.  Let's call a spade a spade and say that, yeah, Theodora and Antonina are courtesans to some, whores to others; Antonina is not ashamed of it, and Theodora will do anything to put her past behind her.  So while Theodora is acclimating herself to a richer life and learning how to live among the aristocracy of ancient Constantinople, Antonina is beside her, keeping everything real.  Justinian is the hero in Theodora's life and it's hard to not fall in love with him.

While I'm still in love with my Tudors and English history, Stephanie Thornton did a remarkable job in portraying a history to me that I normally would've turned my nose up at.  THE SECRET HISTORY should not be kept a secret and be enjoyed by many who like different avenues in history.

Amy Cunningham