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Cover of PERPETUA
3.67

Based on 3 Goodreads ratings

PERPETUA

by Rome in a public spectacle for their refusal to recant their faith. Their story is recounted by Perpetua herself, in a short document that was soon after augmented by an editor/redactor. Ruden approaches the story of Perpetua with reverence, but primarily with the eye of a scholar. Her treatment is far from a hagiography or even a work of Christian history but instead serves as a close literary examination of this ancient text. Perpetua is seen as a truncated, overlooked, and even exploited female author, her own account, riveting and meaningful on its own, touched up, added to, and misused by others over time. “In forty years of studying ancient literature,” Ruden notes, “I have never seen an author so openly shoved to the side, shushed, and interrupted.” Ruden’s efforts seem aimed to clarify Perpetua’s role in the eyes of fellow academics. She exposes those forces in the church and in culture who have misrepresented and misused Perpetua (Augustine of Hippo is an example), while also diving headlong into a level of literary analysis that the lay reader may find unhelpful. A page and a half devoted to Perpetua’s use of the word ego (“I”), in reference to herself, is an example. Ruden notes in conclusion that “it is high time to move [Perpetua’s] story into the brighter light she powerfully deserves.” Ruden’s treatment does not, unfortunately, move Perpetua into that brighter light for the average reader."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:208
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780300273

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This gripping dystopian novel plunges readers into a meticulously crafted world where a rigid caste system and perpetual surveillance dictate every aspect of life, following a protagonist who dares t...

Our Review

This gripping dystopian novel plunges readers into a meticulously crafted world where a rigid caste system and perpetual surveillance dictate every aspect of life, following a protagonist who dares to question the foundations of their seemingly perfect society. The narrative masterfully builds tension through high-stakes rebellion and complex moral dilemmas, exploring themes of freedom, identity, and the cost of truth in a world built on lies. Young adult readers will be immediately captivated by the breakneck pacing and the visceral, high-stakes challenges the characters face.

What sets this story apart is its deeply human core amidst the high-concept sci-fi setting, focusing on the emotional toll of resistance and the fragile bonds of trust formed in the shadows. The protagonist's journey from compliance to defiance is both believable and profoundly moving, offering a powerful allegory for finding one's voice against overwhelming oppression. Teenagers navigating their own questions about authority and self-determination will find a resonant and thought-provoking companion in these pages, long after the final, explosive confrontation.

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