What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of Ancient Rome #1
Il Velo Nuziale
Nel 406 a.C., per suggellare una flebile tregua, Cecilia, una giovane donna romana, viene data in sposa a Vel Mastarna, un nobile etrusco della città di Veio. Costretta ad abbandonare la propria patria, la ragazza è determinata a restare fedele alle tradizioni romane senza cedere agli eccessi considerati fin troppo licenziosi degli etruschi. Tuttavia, nonostante le resistenze iniziali, viene inevitabilmente rapita dal fascino di quella cultura: una cultura che, al contrario di quella di origine, permette alle donne di essere indipendenti e libere. Attratta da Veio, ma spaventata di perdere i propri legami con Roma, Cecilia decide di ricorrere ad alcune pratiche magiche per non dare alla luce dei figli e per procrastinare l’integrazione con il mondo estrusco. Con il passare del tempo, quello che era un senso di affetto nei confronti del marito, più vecchio di lei, diventa suo malgrado amore. Ora il suo animo è combattuto tra Roma, il luogo dove è nata, e Veio, la città che l’ha accolta come una regina. Mentre le nubi del conflitto incombono, scopre che il destino non è così facile da controllare e deve scegliere da che parte stare. Il Velo Nuziale è il primo libro di una trilogia sull’antica Roma dedicata al conflitto tra la Repubblica Romana e la città di Veio. I libri successivi della serie sono I Dadi Dorati e Il Patto di Giunione.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2010
672 people are currently reading
2995 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Storrs
4 books148 followersElisabeth Storrs has a great love for the history - both trivia and the serious stuff. She is the award-winning author of the A Tale of Ancient Rome saga which was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin, Kate Quinn and Ben Kane. Now she’s hurtling centuries forward with FABLES & LIES, a novel set in WW2 Germany about the Aryan myth, crazy Nazi archaeology, and a race to save Trojan Treasure during the fall of Berlin. She is the founder and program director of the Historical Novel Society Australasia, and a former Deputy Chair of Writing NSW. In 2020, Elisabeth headed the team that introduced the $150,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize to the ANZ literary calendar. She lives in Sydney with her husband in a house surrounded by jacarandas. She is also a member of the History Girls.
The Wedding Shroud was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin and judged runner-up in the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards for general fiction. The Golden Dice, was judged runner-up in the 2013 Sharp Writ Book Awards, and was a first place category winner in the Chaucer Award as was the third volume, Call To Juno, which was an Editor's Choice in the Historical Novels Review and endorsed by Kate Quinn. It also was a first place category winner in the Chaucer Award in 2017.
The Wedding Shroud was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin and judged runner-up in the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards for general fiction. The Golden Dice, was judged runner-up in the 2013 Sharp Writ Book Awards, and was a first place category winner in the Chaucer Award as was the third volume, Call To Juno, which was an Editor's Choice in the Historical Novels Review and endorsed by Kate Quinn. It also was a first place category winner in the Chaucer Award in 2017.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
May 18, 2013
A meticulously researched and well-written book that falls short of my expectations overall because of the weakness of the main character and the absolutely ridiculous turn of the plot after the second half. Warning: this is a very long review, containing a lot of ranting and disbelief on the reviewer's part.
Caecelia is a young Roman half-caste. Her mother was a noblewoman brought down from her high station in life by her marriage with a commoner, as a stragegic alliance, which brought her no ends of shame.
Living on her husband’s estate, away from the city of Rome, Aemilia bore the shame of her marriage in seclusion by refusing to greet other matrons who sought to visit.
Thanks to her mother, Caecelia has it grounded into her at a very early age that marriage to anyone but a nobleman is a thing to be ashamed of, as much as she loves and adores her commoner father. Shunned by her high-born relatives and ignored by her mother, Caecelia spent her childhood running wild on the estate. After her mother's death, her father took it upon himself to teach her reading and math, something unheard of in Roman society, where women were viewed largely as property, to be brokered off to the highest bidder in marriage. Caecelia's learning is largely dismissed and viewed as a detriment to her value in a marriage. After her father's death, she becomes the ward of her noble Roman uncle, who has a much more traditional image of women. Her freedom is at an end.
No more books. No more writing.
No more going barefoot in the summer and building scarecrows in the fields. Instead, baths once a week and combed hair. Spinning and weaving and washing and sewing. Preparing to become a wife. Women’s company at last but no companionship. And, apart from her cousin Marcus, no affection.
Caecelia is then promised to an Estruscan nobleman, a fate she views as being worse than death. She dramatically compares herself to the legendary Lucretia, who kills herself rather than living with dishonor. As the book progresses, we will come to see that being overdramatic and making more of a situation is something Caecelia does on a regular basis. She objects to the marriage, but the reader's frustration and dislike of her comes from her reaction to it all.
Caecelia is moved from a servile position under which she is considered little more than half-caste chattel and treated accordingly poor into a new life filled with incredible luxury where her intelligence is valued, where she has more equality than she has ever known and yet she does absolutely nothing but sulk.
She views her new husband as a brute, as most Romans view anyone who is not a Roman, but the reader sees him as civilized, firm but gentle, and not overly patronizing, certainly no monster as Caecelia makes him out to be. He shows consideration of her Roman culture, and asks that she respects his
‘My people have many customs that you will find strange, Caecilia. Just as we find you Romans peculiar. But if it calms you, know that we no longer practise such a custom.’ His expression was unnerving, his tone one of a teacher to a backward child. ‘As for any other tales you may have been told, it is best you do not carry the legacy of prejudice to my city. If you do so you will cause offence.’
Did I mention Caecelia sulks? She does. A lot. She is so intensely dislikeable. For the entire novel, no matter how reasonable the demands on her are made, she does so petulantly, like a spoilt child. She refuses to take responsiblity for her new role, instead of using the knowledge and her own intelligence and the training that her father has taught her and putting them to good use on her husband's grand estate...she sulks. There is only a certain extent to which I can tolerate this. After the second half of the novel, I can no longer handle her ill-tempered peevishness. She has resolved herself to hating her new husband and her new country, and nothing can persuade her to change her mind.
The secondary characters in the book, like Mastarna, his mother, Caecelia's servant, were all well-portrayed and a great deal more honest and likeable than the main character. They had strength, they had personality, they acted according to their roles and responsibility. Everyone has suffered; it was a difficult time in history, wars were fought, death was common, slavery still existed. Yet all of these secondary characters handled themselves nobly (so to speak) and I found them much more enjoyable than the ridiculous Caecelia. The supporting characters and their intricacies and background were the backbone of the book.
The second half of the book veered into the land of incredulity. Magic, rituals, drug use, and more of Caecelia's actions, which are of the cutting-off-one's-nose-to-spite-one's-face variety. This could have been a perfectly respectable historical novel featuring an unfortunately intolerable character, if not for the magic and the
The first half of this book was promising, the main character still showed promise for signs for maturity (since it was early in the book yet), and the setting beautifully described. I absolutely loved the description of the home, surroundings, clothing, and daily life of the characters both in Rome and in Veii. The second half was a mess beyond all redemption, with ridiculous subplots that I can't even summarize because they're such disorganized wrecks.
What a damned shame. I loved the book except for the main character. It would easily have been a 5-star book, no question, had the main character not been a stupid piece of shit. I'm sorry but I'm just so angry at her stupidity and childishness. She is in her late teens when she got married in the book, and at that time, she would have been an adult and then some, and I expected more maturity out of her character than what we were given. Oh, and I forgot to mention Caecelia's youthful TWOO WUV.
This is what the much-longed-for Drusus say when Caecelia asks him why he wanted to marry her:
"I did not care that you were half a noble. You were an Aemilian. Cousin to my best friend. I wanted to be part of his family."
More romantic words have never been spoken.
Absolutely ridiculous book.
Caecelia is a young Roman half-caste. Her mother was a noblewoman brought down from her high station in life by her marriage with a commoner, as a stragegic alliance, which brought her no ends of shame.
Living on her husband’s estate, away from the city of Rome, Aemilia bore the shame of her marriage in seclusion by refusing to greet other matrons who sought to visit.
Thanks to her mother, Caecelia has it grounded into her at a very early age that marriage to anyone but a nobleman is a thing to be ashamed of, as much as she loves and adores her commoner father. Shunned by her high-born relatives and ignored by her mother, Caecelia spent her childhood running wild on the estate. After her mother's death, her father took it upon himself to teach her reading and math, something unheard of in Roman society, where women were viewed largely as property, to be brokered off to the highest bidder in marriage. Caecelia's learning is largely dismissed and viewed as a detriment to her value in a marriage. After her father's death, she becomes the ward of her noble Roman uncle, who has a much more traditional image of women. Her freedom is at an end.
No more books. No more writing.
No more going barefoot in the summer and building scarecrows in the fields. Instead, baths once a week and combed hair. Spinning and weaving and washing and sewing. Preparing to become a wife. Women’s company at last but no companionship. And, apart from her cousin Marcus, no affection.
Caecelia is then promised to an Estruscan nobleman, a fate she views as being worse than death. She dramatically compares herself to the legendary Lucretia, who kills herself rather than living with dishonor. As the book progresses, we will come to see that being overdramatic and making more of a situation is something Caecelia does on a regular basis. She objects to the marriage, but the reader's frustration and dislike of her comes from her reaction to it all.
Caecelia is moved from a servile position under which she is considered little more than half-caste chattel and treated accordingly poor into a new life filled with incredible luxury where her intelligence is valued, where she has more equality than she has ever known and yet she does absolutely nothing but sulk.
She views her new husband as a brute, as most Romans view anyone who is not a Roman, but the reader sees him as civilized, firm but gentle, and not overly patronizing, certainly no monster as Caecelia makes him out to be. He shows consideration of her Roman culture, and asks that she respects his
‘My people have many customs that you will find strange, Caecilia. Just as we find you Romans peculiar. But if it calms you, know that we no longer practise such a custom.’ His expression was unnerving, his tone one of a teacher to a backward child. ‘As for any other tales you may have been told, it is best you do not carry the legacy of prejudice to my city. If you do so you will cause offence.’
Did I mention Caecelia sulks? She does. A lot. She is so intensely dislikeable. For the entire novel, no matter how reasonable the demands on her are made, she does so petulantly, like a spoilt child. She refuses to take responsiblity for her new role, instead of using the knowledge and her own intelligence and the training that her father has taught her and putting them to good use on her husband's grand estate...she sulks. There is only a certain extent to which I can tolerate this. After the second half of the novel, I can no longer handle her ill-tempered peevishness. She has resolved herself to hating her new husband and her new country, and nothing can persuade her to change her mind.
The secondary characters in the book, like Mastarna, his mother, Caecelia's servant, were all well-portrayed and a great deal more honest and likeable than the main character. They had strength, they had personality, they acted according to their roles and responsibility. Everyone has suffered; it was a difficult time in history, wars were fought, death was common, slavery still existed. Yet all of these secondary characters handled themselves nobly (so to speak) and I found them much more enjoyable than the ridiculous Caecelia. The supporting characters and their intricacies and background were the backbone of the book.
The second half of the book veered into the land of incredulity. Magic, rituals, drug use, and more of Caecelia's actions, which are of the cutting-off-one's-nose-to-spite-one's-face variety. This could have been a perfectly respectable historical novel featuring an unfortunately intolerable character, if not for the magic and the
The first half of this book was promising, the main character still showed promise for signs for maturity (since it was early in the book yet), and the setting beautifully described. I absolutely loved the description of the home, surroundings, clothing, and daily life of the characters both in Rome and in Veii. The second half was a mess beyond all redemption, with ridiculous subplots that I can't even summarize because they're such disorganized wrecks.
What a damned shame. I loved the book except for the main character. It would easily have been a 5-star book, no question, had the main character not been a stupid piece of shit. I'm sorry but I'm just so angry at her stupidity and childishness. She is in her late teens when she got married in the book, and at that time, she would have been an adult and then some, and I expected more maturity out of her character than what we were given. Oh, and I forgot to mention Caecelia's youthful TWOO WUV.
This is what the much-longed-for Drusus say when Caecelia asks him why he wanted to marry her:
"I did not care that you were half a noble. You were an Aemilian. Cousin to my best friend. I wanted to be part of his family."
More romantic words have never been spoken.
Absolutely ridiculous book.
May 27, 2025
I can’t stand this anymore—it’s just too aggravating, a genuine 🦨 experience. DNF, circa pg 150.
Every scene is one long infodump after another, interspersed with the MC’s endless pity-party bitchfests & overly described Etruscan rites, so it doesn’t feel like a novel so much as the author’s excuse to show off each & every notation made during her research.** 🙄 The heroine Caecilia is especially obnoxious with her griping & moaning. She was continually disrespected & treated like dirt by her uncle’s family, yet when her new husband & his household show her respect & kindness she throws it in their faces, instead flapping & flailing about how they’re so unholy & barbarian & uncouth & Not Roman, because we all know how Romans never engaged in anything militant, violent, entertaining, self-indulgent, or sexualized, nor did they have gambling, booze, gay people, petty squabbles, or second marriages after a spouse died, & they especially didn’t value ostentatious wealth, have notorious courtesans amongst their elite government members, or religious rites that celebrated having a good time. 🤔 Oh, wait…they did ALL THAT STUFF, you stupid bimbo. *fail horn*
I’d have understood if she was initially shy or scared or angry, but enough is enough. Caecilia makes zero effort to culturally assimilate or make the best of things, zero effort to look upon her new life with anything but disdain, zero effort to admit that she’s not the only person whose arm was twisted into this situation. Mastarna, for his part, is way more patient than I’d have been, esp when she starts insulting his dead wife & accusing him of whoring her out at their vile drunken orgies. (<—This after he has a party at his house with gambling & feasting, then sets up some secluded areas for guests to indulge in sex with willing partners.) The bitch had her dial glued to Incessant Whine, & I refuse to waste more time on her story. I really don’t GAF whether she yanks that pole from her ass or dies a bitter, grouchy old crone—as of finishing this sentence, I’m officially done with Caecilia & her droning, plodding novel.
…HURRAH! 🥳🎉🎈
**PSA: If you’re writing about a distant culture because you love it & want to share how beautiful or unique it is, you might want to showcase an MC who doesn’t despise everything about said culture or use her every dialogue to disparage how wretched her surroundings are. Just sayin’. 🫢
Every scene is one long infodump after another, interspersed with the MC’s endless pity-party bitchfests & overly described Etruscan rites, so it doesn’t feel like a novel so much as the author’s excuse to show off each & every notation made during her research.** 🙄 The heroine Caecilia is especially obnoxious with her griping & moaning. She was continually disrespected & treated like dirt by her uncle’s family, yet when her new husband & his household show her respect & kindness she throws it in their faces, instead flapping & flailing about how they’re so unholy & barbarian & uncouth & Not Roman, because we all know how Romans never engaged in anything militant, violent, entertaining, self-indulgent, or sexualized, nor did they have gambling, booze, gay people, petty squabbles, or second marriages after a spouse died, & they especially didn’t value ostentatious wealth, have notorious courtesans amongst their elite government members, or religious rites that celebrated having a good time. 🤔 Oh, wait…they did ALL THAT STUFF, you stupid bimbo. *fail horn*
I’d have understood if she was initially shy or scared or angry, but enough is enough. Caecilia makes zero effort to culturally assimilate or make the best of things, zero effort to look upon her new life with anything but disdain, zero effort to admit that she’s not the only person whose arm was twisted into this situation. Mastarna, for his part, is way more patient than I’d have been, esp when she starts insulting his dead wife & accusing him of whoring her out at their vile drunken orgies. (<—This after he has a party at his house with gambling & feasting, then sets up some secluded areas for guests to indulge in sex with willing partners.) The bitch had her dial glued to Incessant Whine, & I refuse to waste more time on her story. I really don’t GAF whether she yanks that pole from her ass or dies a bitter, grouchy old crone—as of finishing this sentence, I’m officially done with Caecilia & her droning, plodding novel.
…HURRAH! 🥳🎉🎈
**PSA: If you’re writing about a distant culture because you love it & want to share how beautiful or unique it is, you might want to showcase an MC who doesn’t despise everything about said culture or use her every dialogue to disparage how wretched her surroundings are. Just sayin’. 🫢
October 31, 2022
През 407 г. пр. н. е. градовете-държави на етруските са все още силни и процъфтяващи, а Рим е сбутано градче на нискокултурни провинциалисти с амбиции за експанзия. Войните между етруския град Веи и Рим са често явление, с временни прекъсвания за мир, за да се възстановят щетите. За скрепяването на такова примирие един от етруските благородници сключва брак с римлянка.
Хареса ми етруската гледна точка и лицемерието на римските добродетели. Нещо, което героинята бавно осъзнава, докато заема активно място в обществото, каквото Рим никога не би предоставил на жена, и вижда вредата от милитаристично украсените предрасъдъци. Етруската култура е малко известна и малко популярна. Не мога да преценя колко достоверно е представена, струва ми се, че фикцията преобладава.
Героинята ми харесваше доста в първата част, но във втората рязко изглупя за сметка на сензационността и фикцията. Героят не беше разкрит в детайли, та ми останаха доста въпросителни. Но иначе и двамата ми бяха симпатични, и любовната история беше приятна.
Заради етруския елемент закръглям нагоре.
3,5 ⭐️
Хареса ми етруската гледна точка и лицемерието на римските добродетели. Нещо, което героинята бавно осъзнава, докато заема активно място в обществото, каквото Рим никога не би предоставил на жена, и вижда вредата от милитаристично украсените предрасъдъци. Етруската култура е малко известна и малко популярна. Не мога да преценя колко достоверно е представена, струва ми се, че фикцията преобладава.
Героинята ми харесваше доста в първата част, но във втората рязко изглупя за сметка на сензационността и фикцията. Героят не беше разкрит в детайли, та ми останаха доста въпросителни. Но иначе и двамата ми бяха симпатични, и любовната история беше приятна.
Заради етруския елемент закръглям нагоре.
3,5 ⭐️
September 11, 2015
*Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
This was an infuriating read. I didn't want to continue, but had to know what happened at the end of the story. I didn't want to continue because quite frankly, I got bored. There was too much detail. Things were explained too much. The traditions and religion was spoken of too often. More than needed to understand the story. But I had to keep going because I wanted to know if Caecilia fell in love with Mastarna, and vice versa. If Mastarna got over his dead wife, if Caecilia got pregnant. And so I marched on, only to reach a HUGE cliffhanger!!!. The romance was lacking in the sense that they didn't try to be together until the very end, when hope was dwindling anyway. But the fact remains that I kept coming back to it, even after I was determined not to continue, so that deserves 3 stars.
This was an infuriating read. I didn't want to continue, but had to know what happened at the end of the story. I didn't want to continue because quite frankly, I got bored. There was too much detail. Things were explained too much. The traditions and religion was spoken of too often. More than needed to understand the story. But I had to keep going because I wanted to know if Caecilia fell in love with Mastarna, and vice versa. If Mastarna got over his dead wife, if Caecilia got pregnant. And so I marched on, only to reach a HUGE cliffhanger!!!. The romance was lacking in the sense that they didn't try to be together until the very end, when hope was dwindling anyway. But the fact remains that I kept coming back to it, even after I was determined not to continue, so that deserves 3 stars.
May 21, 2011
This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf
It has been awhile since I have given a five star rating to a novel and The Wedding Shroud is certainly worthy of this. If I wasn’t a fan of historical romance before, I certainly am now! The Wedding Shroud is a tale of early Rome and it had me hooked from the very first page.
At 18 years of age, Caecilia has only ever experienced genuine love and care from one man in her life, her father. When he dies she is sent away to live with her aunt and uncle. She develops fleeting feelings for her cousin’s friend, Drusus a young strong willed Roman man who wishes to wed her. However, Caecilia’s uncle has other plans in mind and arranges for her to wed an Entruscan fromVeii to continue a lengthy treaty between the neighbours.
Scared, naïve and against her will she marries Vel Mastarna, the wealthy nobleman. Caecilia is thrown into a lifestyle of lust, feminism and temptations completely against her Roman values and beliefs. She struggles to find a balance between her Roman virtues and the way of the Entruscans.
She yearns to return to Roman society and what is left of her family within the year but her husband’s strong desire to have a child dampens her prospects. Caecila develops unexpected friendships with flamboyant step-son Tarchon, compassionate mother-in-law Larthia and her wise servant, Cytheris. Her longing wish to return toRomebecomes a fixation and she seeks out Mastarna’s brother Artile, a priest who she recruits to delay her fate of bearing a child. Caecilia becomes enslaved to these rituals and it clouds her judgement and like most unhealthy obsessions this affects her marriage and friendships. Caecilia learns the role of an Etruscan wife in an unfamiliar city; she learns of Mastarna’s dark and painful past and despite herself learns to love him.
Caecilia is an engaging character and the wave of emotions she experiences- confusion, disgust, betrayal- were so beautifully portrayed that my experience mirrored them. I found my own morality questioned just as Caecilia’s when presented with the various characters and their life choices in these times. I was taken on a journey of discovering a new culture, customs, beliefs just as Caecilia and was trying to make sense of their ways. Just like Caecilia I softened towards the Entruscan lifestyle and although I initially was hoping for Caecilia to escape her unwanted marriage, by the end I wanted her and Mastarna to find love and happiness together.
I could go on and on about the intricacies of this novel but I don’t want to give it all away, because the beauty of reading this story is that I never knew what was around the corner and so I was always pleasantly surprised.
Storrs has a very skilful way of entwining history lessons in a beautiful historical romance story and it all came together very nicely. Upon closing the book I felt educated on roman history, entertained and longing for more.
The ending I had to read a couple of times and I think (if I have gotten it right) the author leaves you to make up your own mind about whether Caecilia chooses to stay in Veii or Rome. So I will just pretend that I got the happily ever after I was hoping for and claim ignorance is bliss. But I am so thankful to hear thatStorrsis working on a sequel to The Wedding Shroud and I will definitely be reading what will be in stall for Caecilia (and hopefully Mastarna) in the next book.
5/5 Highly recommended!
It has been awhile since I have given a five star rating to a novel and The Wedding Shroud is certainly worthy of this. If I wasn’t a fan of historical romance before, I certainly am now! The Wedding Shroud is a tale of early Rome and it had me hooked from the very first page.
At 18 years of age, Caecilia has only ever experienced genuine love and care from one man in her life, her father. When he dies she is sent away to live with her aunt and uncle. She develops fleeting feelings for her cousin’s friend, Drusus a young strong willed Roman man who wishes to wed her. However, Caecilia’s uncle has other plans in mind and arranges for her to wed an Entruscan fromVeii to continue a lengthy treaty between the neighbours.
Scared, naïve and against her will she marries Vel Mastarna, the wealthy nobleman. Caecilia is thrown into a lifestyle of lust, feminism and temptations completely against her Roman values and beliefs. She struggles to find a balance between her Roman virtues and the way of the Entruscans.
She yearns to return to Roman society and what is left of her family within the year but her husband’s strong desire to have a child dampens her prospects. Caecila develops unexpected friendships with flamboyant step-son Tarchon, compassionate mother-in-law Larthia and her wise servant, Cytheris. Her longing wish to return toRomebecomes a fixation and she seeks out Mastarna’s brother Artile, a priest who she recruits to delay her fate of bearing a child. Caecilia becomes enslaved to these rituals and it clouds her judgement and like most unhealthy obsessions this affects her marriage and friendships. Caecilia learns the role of an Etruscan wife in an unfamiliar city; she learns of Mastarna’s dark and painful past and despite herself learns to love him.
Caecilia is an engaging character and the wave of emotions she experiences- confusion, disgust, betrayal- were so beautifully portrayed that my experience mirrored them. I found my own morality questioned just as Caecilia’s when presented with the various characters and their life choices in these times. I was taken on a journey of discovering a new culture, customs, beliefs just as Caecilia and was trying to make sense of their ways. Just like Caecilia I softened towards the Entruscan lifestyle and although I initially was hoping for Caecilia to escape her unwanted marriage, by the end I wanted her and Mastarna to find love and happiness together.
I could go on and on about the intricacies of this novel but I don’t want to give it all away, because the beauty of reading this story is that I never knew what was around the corner and so I was always pleasantly surprised.
Storrs has a very skilful way of entwining history lessons in a beautiful historical romance story and it all came together very nicely. Upon closing the book I felt educated on roman history, entertained and longing for more.
The ending I had to read a couple of times and I think (if I have gotten it right) the author leaves you to make up your own mind about whether Caecilia chooses to stay in Veii or Rome. So I will just pretend that I got the happily ever after I was hoping for and claim ignorance is bliss. But I am so thankful to hear thatStorrsis working on a sequel to The Wedding Shroud and I will definitely be reading what will be in stall for Caecilia (and hopefully Mastarna) in the next book.
5/5 Highly recommended!
March 21, 2013
The subtitle of this historical romance is “A Tale of Early Rome,” but it should also say “A Tale of the Etruscans.” I always think of the Etruscans as a mysterious people predating and then overlapping with the Romans before disappearing from history—about whom, I thought, we knew very little. Elisabeth Storrs showed me how fully their world can be imagined based on the evidence of archaeology and ancient sources. From translucent silken gowns, gold embossed mirrors, realistic paintings, delicious spiced banquets, and gracious, brilliantly colored houses, the Etruscans lived in a style dramatically different from their boorish neighbors twelve miles away in Rome (this is early Rome, remember). The equality with which women are treated, the luxurious sensuality and celebration of life, including in the realm of sexuality, set off the Etruscan city of Veii from Rome’s original identity as a place of modest, subservient women and tough, warrior men living plain, frugal lives. Certainly later Romans rarely lived up to their nostalgic model—it’s not much fun as a lifestyle and when the Romans conquered most of the world they chose to live a grander, more decadent life. To some extent Storrs shows they weren’t following their own righteous values even at this early stage. The contrast between the two cultures holds center place in this book about a marriage between a Roman girl and an older nobleman of Veii, Mastarna, a marriage arranged to seal a treaty between the two cities and viewed by the Romans as a horrible thing for the Roman girl, Caecilia.
Caecilia suffers from a severe case of culture shock when she arrives at her husband’s home in Veii. All this decadent, sexually loose behavior causes the young woman to cling to her Roman ways for fear of giving in to this sinful life. Even the food is over spiced! To make an inaccurate comparison, she’s a Puritan among the hedonists and she’s terrified of temptation. This is an historically accurate juxtaposition, as far as I know, but it can be a heavy one at times. You may wish occasionally that Caecilia weren’t so proud of her stiff Roman values. She does succumb to Veii in a number of ways—perhaps in all the important ways—but Storrs avoids a linear descent, forward a little into Veientane lifestyle and love, then back part way again, so this is an unpredictable and complicated tale. Caecilia’s relationship with her husband, Mastarna, is a compellingly deep one, overshadowed by the gradually revealed story of his love and sorrow for his first wife. Mastarna’s family—his mother, brother, adopted son, servants—is a rich source of flawed human beings who, with one notable exception, try to make Caecilia feel welcome, despite her prickly start. Along with the wealth of dramatic detail about daily life and macabre Etruscan religious rites, the interactions of the family and Caecilia engaged my interest throughout against the main story of the back and forth romance between husband and wife with its intentional frustration and grief. This novel pulls its reader into an unusual world where no other writer I know of has gone and unfolds an intriguing plot, revealing a little known corner of Roman history. Pick it up and explore.
Caecilia suffers from a severe case of culture shock when she arrives at her husband’s home in Veii. All this decadent, sexually loose behavior causes the young woman to cling to her Roman ways for fear of giving in to this sinful life. Even the food is over spiced! To make an inaccurate comparison, she’s a Puritan among the hedonists and she’s terrified of temptation. This is an historically accurate juxtaposition, as far as I know, but it can be a heavy one at times. You may wish occasionally that Caecilia weren’t so proud of her stiff Roman values. She does succumb to Veii in a number of ways—perhaps in all the important ways—but Storrs avoids a linear descent, forward a little into Veientane lifestyle and love, then back part way again, so this is an unpredictable and complicated tale. Caecilia’s relationship with her husband, Mastarna, is a compellingly deep one, overshadowed by the gradually revealed story of his love and sorrow for his first wife. Mastarna’s family—his mother, brother, adopted son, servants—is a rich source of flawed human beings who, with one notable exception, try to make Caecilia feel welcome, despite her prickly start. Along with the wealth of dramatic detail about daily life and macabre Etruscan religious rites, the interactions of the family and Caecilia engaged my interest throughout against the main story of the back and forth romance between husband and wife with its intentional frustration and grief. This novel pulls its reader into an unusual world where no other writer I know of has gone and unfolds an intriguing plot, revealing a little known corner of Roman history. Pick it up and explore.
April 17, 2024
‘This is our wedding shroud’, he said, ‘Eventually it will embrace us in death.’
‘The Wedding Shroud’ opens in 406 BCE, and brings to imagined life the Etruscan culture of ancient Italy. The novel’s heroine, a young Roman woman named Caecilia – the daughter of a patrician mother and a plebeian father – is married off to secure a peace treaty between Rome and Veii. Caecilia is married to Vel Mastarna, a powerful and wealthy Veientane in Rome, and then is taken to Veii where a second marriage ceremony is undertaken. The Etruscan city of Veii may only be physically 12 miles away from Rome, but culturally it is an entirely different world.
Caecilia has been raised in an austere (and outwardly puritanical) Roman culture that values duty, sacrifice and war. Women are not permitted to join in the serious conversations of men, are largely cloistered within their homes and are forbidden to drink wine. Their clothes are modest, plain and largely unadorned. In Veii, men and women mix far more freely. Women drink wine, wear flamboyant clothing, and take part in banquets. Caecilia finds it difficult to adjust at first, and tries to hang onto her Roman practices. She learns more about life in Veii from her slave Cytheris, her mother-in-law Larthia, and Erene the courtesan.
Caecilia soon discovers that some aspects of life in her new home are better. She has her own slave, Cytheris, and is expected to attend audiences with her husband. But there are aspects of life in Veii that Caecilia is less comfortable with, and Mastarna seems to have some ghosts of his own. There are some complex relationships in the novel, and Caecilia has to try to find her own way through superstitions, through class boundaries, and through the ghosts that haunt both her and Mastarna.
At times I found Caecilia very frustrating, and some of her choices were deplorable. And yet, those choices amplified the differences between cultures and the ease with which those who are vulnerable can be manipulated. There is a dark side to life in Veii as Caecilia discovers, and when she rejects Mastarna’s assistance, she seems doomed to continually suffer. As war with Rome seems inevitable, Caecilia is faced with some difficult choices.
I enjoyed this novel, and look forward to reading the second novel in the series (The Golden Dice).
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘The Wedding Shroud’ opens in 406 BCE, and brings to imagined life the Etruscan culture of ancient Italy. The novel’s heroine, a young Roman woman named Caecilia – the daughter of a patrician mother and a plebeian father – is married off to secure a peace treaty between Rome and Veii. Caecilia is married to Vel Mastarna, a powerful and wealthy Veientane in Rome, and then is taken to Veii where a second marriage ceremony is undertaken. The Etruscan city of Veii may only be physically 12 miles away from Rome, but culturally it is an entirely different world.
Caecilia has been raised in an austere (and outwardly puritanical) Roman culture that values duty, sacrifice and war. Women are not permitted to join in the serious conversations of men, are largely cloistered within their homes and are forbidden to drink wine. Their clothes are modest, plain and largely unadorned. In Veii, men and women mix far more freely. Women drink wine, wear flamboyant clothing, and take part in banquets. Caecilia finds it difficult to adjust at first, and tries to hang onto her Roman practices. She learns more about life in Veii from her slave Cytheris, her mother-in-law Larthia, and Erene the courtesan.
Caecilia soon discovers that some aspects of life in her new home are better. She has her own slave, Cytheris, and is expected to attend audiences with her husband. But there are aspects of life in Veii that Caecilia is less comfortable with, and Mastarna seems to have some ghosts of his own. There are some complex relationships in the novel, and Caecilia has to try to find her own way through superstitions, through class boundaries, and through the ghosts that haunt both her and Mastarna.
At times I found Caecilia very frustrating, and some of her choices were deplorable. And yet, those choices amplified the differences between cultures and the ease with which those who are vulnerable can be manipulated. There is a dark side to life in Veii as Caecilia discovers, and when she rejects Mastarna’s assistance, she seems doomed to continually suffer. As war with Rome seems inevitable, Caecilia is faced with some difficult choices.
I enjoyed this novel, and look forward to reading the second novel in the series (The Golden Dice).
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 24, 2016
I hope that Elisabeth Storrs has written the sequel to The Wedding Shroud by the time I set off on my next long-haul flight. It’s always difficult to find the right book to while away the long hours: I want something not too arduous for a brain disoriented by lack of sleep and muddled time zones, but I don’t want my mind insulted by inane pap either…
The Wedding Shroud is a well-written historical novel with a twist. It’s set way back in Rome’s ancient past when they were yet to become the most powerful empire of the ancient world. Storrs has recreated the Etruscan city of Veii to tell her story of Caecilia Aemilius, a young Roman girl whose loyalties are put to the test by her marriage to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman. He’s twice her age, scarred emotionally and physically - and he smells of pomades that an uber-masculine Roman male would never use - but she has little choice because the marriage has been negotiated as part of a political truce between the two cities.
Like me, Storrs majored in classics and her meticulous research shows in the attention to detail: she uses Caecilia’s dismay at the contrast between staid Roman mores and the sinful ways of the Etruscans to develop a convincing setting...
To read the rest of my review please visit
http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/201...
The Wedding Shroud is a well-written historical novel with a twist. It’s set way back in Rome’s ancient past when they were yet to become the most powerful empire of the ancient world. Storrs has recreated the Etruscan city of Veii to tell her story of Caecilia Aemilius, a young Roman girl whose loyalties are put to the test by her marriage to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman. He’s twice her age, scarred emotionally and physically - and he smells of pomades that an uber-masculine Roman male would never use - but she has little choice because the marriage has been negotiated as part of a political truce between the two cities.
Like me, Storrs majored in classics and her meticulous research shows in the attention to detail: she uses Caecilia’s dismay at the contrast between staid Roman mores and the sinful ways of the Etruscans to develop a convincing setting...
To read the rest of my review please visit
http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/201...
October 17, 2012
Elisabeth Storrs first became fascinated with the mysterious Etruscan people, ancient neighbours and enemies of the city of Rome, when she saw the remarkable funerary carving that depicts a husband and wife under the same shroud. It is a picture of equality between the sexes that would never have been seen (at least as far as we know) in Rome. Driven by her fascination with this, she set about writing a novel that has as its central character a young Roman woman, Caecilia, but which is primarily about the Etruscans, into whose civilisation Caecilia is married against her will. The story is set in the late 5th century BC, when Rome was little but a fortified city surrounded by enemies - among them the Etruscans.
Sadly, very little is known about the Etruscans. There is almost no written information about them that survives; much of what comes to us is what was written by them by the Romans or Greeks; the rest consists of archaeological artefacts and the vibrant paintings that remain in some tombs. One might think that it would be hard to construct a novel around these few fragments, yet Storrs has done a remarkable job. Her Etruscan world is rich and colourful and full of life, bringing not just the city of Veii to life, but also its inhabitants and their - to Roman eyes - decadent ways.
Caecilia, the central character, is a troubled soul, unloved and almost without friends in her life at home. Although she does not realise it at first, her new life as the wife of Mastarna, an Etruscan noble, offers her the chance of more freedoms than she could ever have imagined. I won't give too much away except to say that this is a novel of sensuality and love, of fear and loathing and discovery. It's about loyalty (both genuine and misguided), betrayal and, I think, redemption. All in all, I found it a wonderful read. Storrs should be proud of herself for this gem of a book.
4.5/5 stars.
Sadly, very little is known about the Etruscans. There is almost no written information about them that survives; much of what comes to us is what was written by them by the Romans or Greeks; the rest consists of archaeological artefacts and the vibrant paintings that remain in some tombs. One might think that it would be hard to construct a novel around these few fragments, yet Storrs has done a remarkable job. Her Etruscan world is rich and colourful and full of life, bringing not just the city of Veii to life, but also its inhabitants and their - to Roman eyes - decadent ways.
Caecilia, the central character, is a troubled soul, unloved and almost without friends in her life at home. Although she does not realise it at first, her new life as the wife of Mastarna, an Etruscan noble, offers her the chance of more freedoms than she could ever have imagined. I won't give too much away except to say that this is a novel of sensuality and love, of fear and loathing and discovery. It's about loyalty (both genuine and misguided), betrayal and, I think, redemption. All in all, I found it a wonderful read. Storrs should be proud of herself for this gem of a book.
4.5/5 stars.
December 28, 2011
I love Historical Fiction, but I am tired of the usual Tudor-Anglo-French setting.
When I saw this book with a heroine centric focus set in Ancient Rome- I was exited.
The plot was really engrossing and I found myself reluctant to put it down.
The historical details were fascinating and it is obvious that the Author spent a lot of time in researching the background.
The writing was smooth, the pace was good.
However the heroine Cecelia was a ninny. It's hard to give a book 5 stars when you want to kick the main protagonist in the head.
At the start of the story she is a sheltered 18year old. Understandably she is naive.
About mid way through the book she actually seems to make some progress in her maturity level and decisions.
Just when I thought she had grown up, she then regresses and makes such a stupid hurtful choice to the hero, that I almost threw down my iPad and walked away!
The hero however was the redeeming factor- I really wanted him to have a HEA.
The book ends somewhat abruptly, and I am not sure if a sequel is planned.
If there is another chapter to this saga, I am hooked and will be pre-ordering.
When I saw this book with a heroine centric focus set in Ancient Rome- I was exited.
The plot was really engrossing and I found myself reluctant to put it down.
The historical details were fascinating and it is obvious that the Author spent a lot of time in researching the background.
The writing was smooth, the pace was good.
However the heroine Cecelia was a ninny. It's hard to give a book 5 stars when you want to kick the main protagonist in the head.
At the start of the story she is a sheltered 18year old. Understandably she is naive.
About mid way through the book she actually seems to make some progress in her maturity level and decisions.
Just when I thought she had grown up, she then regresses and makes such a stupid hurtful choice to the hero, that I almost threw down my iPad and walked away!
The hero however was the redeeming factor- I really wanted him to have a HEA.
The book ends somewhat abruptly, and I am not sure if a sequel is planned.
If there is another chapter to this saga, I am hooked and will be pre-ordering.
December 30, 2010
Elisabeth Storrs resurrects the lost world of the Etruscans in her masterful novel The Wedding Shroud set in 407 B.C. Long overshadowed by the Romans, the earlier Etruscan culture of ancient Italy is brilliantly revealed through the eyes of the novel's heroine, a young Roman woman named Caecilia. The daughter of an awkward plebian and patrician union, Caecilia is used to seal a peace treaty between Rome and Veii, a nearby Etruscan city. Her scheming male relatives force her to marry Vel Mastarna, a powerful and wealthy Veientane, and Caecilia is carried away to her new home. Veii is only twelve miles from Rome, but it is a world away for Caecilia. The author convincingly illustrates how small an individual's personal world could be in earlier times, especially a girl raised within the confining patriarchy of Rome. Although the ancient Mediterranean world was cosmopolitan and some people were well traveled, most were like Caecilia, who finds herself within an utterly foreign culture a mere dozen miles from her native home.
Once Caecilia arrives in Veii, the informative historical contrasts between Roman and Etruscan cultures are revealed through detail-rich prose. Caecilia has been raised within the austere and outwardly puritan Roman culture that values sacrifice, duty, and war. In Rome, women are nearly cloistered within their homes. They wear plain wool clothes, are forbidden to drink wine, and are not allowed to join the serious conversations of men. With such a background, Caecilia immediately finds Veii to be a constant moral outrage. Men and women mingle. They wear flamboyant and immodest clothes. They eat rich fancy food. Women can drink and debauch at banquets right alongside their men.
But some things are a pleasant surprise for Caecilia in her new household. She is given a slave, Cythergis. Never was such a luxury granted to Caecilia in Rome. And Caecilia is expected to hold audiences with her husband as his tenants and other guests petition him. In Veii, women have status and respect and are allowed to indulge in the luxuries of life. They might even be worthy of a funeral banquet and honorary games, which astounds Caecilia. She welcomes some of the nice things about life in Veii and is gradually tempted by darker forces in a society where most anything goes.
Despite her elevated status, Caecilia is not a truly liberated woman. The differences in female oppression between Romans and Etruscans are a matter of degree. Although Caecilia is free of the mind-numbing denial and drudgery of a Roman matron, she is still the possession of her husband and her paramount purpose is to produce an heir for Mastarna. This fictional study of female status is carefully crafted by Elisabeth Storrs. Delicate comparisons are presented through the characters of Erene, the courtesan, Caecilia, the proper wife, and Cythergis, the slave woman. All three types are dependent on men and under their control. Erene is strictly for pleasure. She is more than a slave but less than a wife. As a wife, Caecilia is allowed sexual pleasure by Etruscan culture with her husband with the great purpose of procreation looming above all. Most miserable is the slave woman Cythergis, who has endured having her children sold. Although Cythergis enjoys men, she hopes to avoid more pregnancies so she can stop breeding slaves. The nuances of the difficult lives of these three ancient women are touchingly revealed.
Complex relationships in The Wedding Shroud are the ships upon which the story flows. Caecilia struggles to adapt to her new and foreign household where Val Mastarna and his brother Artile, a powerful priest, vie for the affection and approval of their mother, Larthia. The adopted son of Mastarna, Tarchon, is also embroiled in an inappropriate sexual relationship with Artile. The priest is a constant source of meddling within the family, and he soon sinks his painted claws into the vulnerable Caecilia and begins to control her with religion and addictive drugs.
The character of Artile serves to educate the reader about the practices and corruptions of ancient religions. His power is great and even the educated elites are swayed by his interpretations of signs, with the notable exception of his brother Mastarna. Although the Etruscan culture has technology and fine artistry, it remains like all ancient cultures steeped in superstition. The imprint of the primitive world remains deep and fresh despite the presence of architecture, music, metallurgy, writing, and mathematics. Animal sacrifice is commonplace with the most horrifying example shown in wild rites that culminate with the tearing up and eating of fawns. And then as part of a funeral rite, a criminal is savagely executed by having a maddened dog set loose on him.
All of this assaults the sensibilities of Caecilia, whose sheltered upbringing as a female among joyless Romans, leaves her reeling with disgust. Amid the carnal abandon of Veii, Caecilia's husband Mastarna represents a rare force of rationality and affection. Frustratingly Caecilia too often rebuffs his attempts to help her adjust. As the reader, I often wanted her to be more accepting of Mastarna because he really was a relatively nice person, but Caecilia's turmoil and many mistakes are understandable. She is young, inexperienced, and alone in an alien culture. This formula usually adds up to poor choices.
I could write another thousand words exploring the subtleties of this novel without giving away any spoilers. Storrs presents a tremendous amount of research in a gripping story with characters that all feel genuine. Her writing has a literary quality packed with artistic descriptions and intelligent metaphors. For example, from page 79: "It was as though she had kicked the top off an ants' nest and found another world of industry and intricacy and purpose foreign to her own, exposing herself also to the danger of being bitten." The whole novel flows like a coastal Mediterranean wind and supports an unfolding narrative with the strong reach of a thick grape vine. I was drawn in completely to the emotional edginess of Caecilia and pined for her to accept her unwanted love of Mastarna. The Wedding Shroud is not purely a psychological journey. Episodes of visceral action punctuate the unfolding drama, like the breathtaking chapter in which Mastarna recklessly wrestles an Olympic champion. I highly recommend The Wedding Shroud to historical fiction readers. Elisabeth Storrs has created a wonderful novel from a willing marriage of her historical research and writing talent.
Once Caecilia arrives in Veii, the informative historical contrasts between Roman and Etruscan cultures are revealed through detail-rich prose. Caecilia has been raised within the austere and outwardly puritan Roman culture that values sacrifice, duty, and war. In Rome, women are nearly cloistered within their homes. They wear plain wool clothes, are forbidden to drink wine, and are not allowed to join the serious conversations of men. With such a background, Caecilia immediately finds Veii to be a constant moral outrage. Men and women mingle. They wear flamboyant and immodest clothes. They eat rich fancy food. Women can drink and debauch at banquets right alongside their men.
But some things are a pleasant surprise for Caecilia in her new household. She is given a slave, Cythergis. Never was such a luxury granted to Caecilia in Rome. And Caecilia is expected to hold audiences with her husband as his tenants and other guests petition him. In Veii, women have status and respect and are allowed to indulge in the luxuries of life. They might even be worthy of a funeral banquet and honorary games, which astounds Caecilia. She welcomes some of the nice things about life in Veii and is gradually tempted by darker forces in a society where most anything goes.
Despite her elevated status, Caecilia is not a truly liberated woman. The differences in female oppression between Romans and Etruscans are a matter of degree. Although Caecilia is free of the mind-numbing denial and drudgery of a Roman matron, she is still the possession of her husband and her paramount purpose is to produce an heir for Mastarna. This fictional study of female status is carefully crafted by Elisabeth Storrs. Delicate comparisons are presented through the characters of Erene, the courtesan, Caecilia, the proper wife, and Cythergis, the slave woman. All three types are dependent on men and under their control. Erene is strictly for pleasure. She is more than a slave but less than a wife. As a wife, Caecilia is allowed sexual pleasure by Etruscan culture with her husband with the great purpose of procreation looming above all. Most miserable is the slave woman Cythergis, who has endured having her children sold. Although Cythergis enjoys men, she hopes to avoid more pregnancies so she can stop breeding slaves. The nuances of the difficult lives of these three ancient women are touchingly revealed.
Complex relationships in The Wedding Shroud are the ships upon which the story flows. Caecilia struggles to adapt to her new and foreign household where Val Mastarna and his brother Artile, a powerful priest, vie for the affection and approval of their mother, Larthia. The adopted son of Mastarna, Tarchon, is also embroiled in an inappropriate sexual relationship with Artile. The priest is a constant source of meddling within the family, and he soon sinks his painted claws into the vulnerable Caecilia and begins to control her with religion and addictive drugs.
The character of Artile serves to educate the reader about the practices and corruptions of ancient religions. His power is great and even the educated elites are swayed by his interpretations of signs, with the notable exception of his brother Mastarna. Although the Etruscan culture has technology and fine artistry, it remains like all ancient cultures steeped in superstition. The imprint of the primitive world remains deep and fresh despite the presence of architecture, music, metallurgy, writing, and mathematics. Animal sacrifice is commonplace with the most horrifying example shown in wild rites that culminate with the tearing up and eating of fawns. And then as part of a funeral rite, a criminal is savagely executed by having a maddened dog set loose on him.
All of this assaults the sensibilities of Caecilia, whose sheltered upbringing as a female among joyless Romans, leaves her reeling with disgust. Amid the carnal abandon of Veii, Caecilia's husband Mastarna represents a rare force of rationality and affection. Frustratingly Caecilia too often rebuffs his attempts to help her adjust. As the reader, I often wanted her to be more accepting of Mastarna because he really was a relatively nice person, but Caecilia's turmoil and many mistakes are understandable. She is young, inexperienced, and alone in an alien culture. This formula usually adds up to poor choices.
I could write another thousand words exploring the subtleties of this novel without giving away any spoilers. Storrs presents a tremendous amount of research in a gripping story with characters that all feel genuine. Her writing has a literary quality packed with artistic descriptions and intelligent metaphors. For example, from page 79: "It was as though she had kicked the top off an ants' nest and found another world of industry and intricacy and purpose foreign to her own, exposing herself also to the danger of being bitten." The whole novel flows like a coastal Mediterranean wind and supports an unfolding narrative with the strong reach of a thick grape vine. I was drawn in completely to the emotional edginess of Caecilia and pined for her to accept her unwanted love of Mastarna. The Wedding Shroud is not purely a psychological journey. Episodes of visceral action punctuate the unfolding drama, like the breathtaking chapter in which Mastarna recklessly wrestles an Olympic champion. I highly recommend The Wedding Shroud to historical fiction readers. Elisabeth Storrs has created a wonderful novel from a willing marriage of her historical research and writing talent.
May 29, 2015
I wanted to like this book more than I did.
Set in 406 BC, this novel told of a political marriage between an unwilling Roman girl and a noble Etruscan meant to bring peace between two cities who hate each other. The opening sentence "Her whole world was orange" grabbed me--her Roman wedding. She returns to Veii with her husband, is married in Etruscan rites but then the book lost me halfway through. She does nothing to accept her husband's culture until she's under the influence of an aphrodisiac to make her submit to her husband willingly, then drugs to bring about religious ecstasy. She finally makes and acts on a momentous decision. The result is not what she expected and she has another choice to make. The author did mention several books she used as source material, but the drug aspect and the too-permissive nature of the Etruscan society seemed fabricated. Yes, the descriptions of the clothing, surroundings, and opulence were well done but hard to believe. I liked the husband and his family, but the heroine to me was an absolute idiot for not accepting the husband for his good points and for her getting involved in drugs and an ancient death cult. I had my heart in my mouth at a pankration match between a Greek Olympian champion and her husband.
Set in 406 BC, this novel told of a political marriage between an unwilling Roman girl and a noble Etruscan meant to bring peace between two cities who hate each other. The opening sentence "Her whole world was orange" grabbed me--her Roman wedding. She returns to Veii with her husband, is married in Etruscan rites but then the book lost me halfway through. She does nothing to accept her husband's culture until she's under the influence of an aphrodisiac to make her submit to her husband willingly, then drugs to bring about religious ecstasy. She finally makes and acts on a momentous decision. The result is not what she expected and she has another choice to make. The author did mention several books she used as source material, but the drug aspect and the too-permissive nature of the Etruscan society seemed fabricated. Yes, the descriptions of the clothing, surroundings, and opulence were well done but hard to believe. I liked the husband and his family, but the heroine to me was an absolute idiot for not accepting the husband for his good points and for her getting involved in drugs and an ancient death cult. I had my heart in my mouth at a pankration match between a Greek Olympian champion and her husband.
August 9, 2017
On one hand, this book is the type of book you read and want to know what happens next. On the other hand, this is the type of the book were the main character should be hit smacked. If she is suppose to be well read then wouldn't she be more be aware. I get her being virginal but she is a bit of a spoiled brat.
Still, I did want to know what happened.
Still, I did want to know what happened.
December 2, 2011
Rome and Veii - 406. B.C. Eighteen year old Caecilia, the orphaned daughter of a plebian Tribune and his patrician wife, is given in marriage by her maternal uncle and adoptive father Aemilius to Etruscan nobleman, Vel Mastarna. The political marriage is ostensibly intended to cement a shaky truce between the two warring cities. Caecilia has formed attachments to two young Roman patricians, her cousin Marcus and his best friend Drusus; she feels no attraction to Mastarna, a battle scarred enemy twice her age. Moreover, she justifiably fears entering an alien culture where she could be held hostage, or suffer a worse fate if war breaks out, but duty, honor, and Roman law command her obedience. Caecilia submits, but not without some protest and strong reservations she must keep to herself.
The distance from Rome to Veii is only twelve miles, but during that short journey Caecilia displays courage when the small caravan is attacked by Gallic marauders. Impressed by his bride's fortitude, Mastarna dubs her bellatrix (female warrior). But Caecilia is no comic book heroine; she's an intelligent, innocent, and frightened young woman in dangerous territory--a psychologically complex, three-dimensional character, as is her patient yet sometimes truculent and brooding Etruscan husband.
Once in Veii, Cecilia is cast into a social and political vortex among those who welcome her and those who despise her, those who are true and those who deceive. Brought up in the Stoic tradition to be a virtuous daughter of Rome, she is at first scandalized and then tempted by Etruscan hedonism, the ancient equivalent of a "Sex, drugs and rock and roll" culture. She is also attracted to cult worship and the gods of her new home, including the claims of her haruspex (one who interprets omens) brother-in-law that he can "postpone" fate. And this brings us to the overarching theme of fate or Fortuna, which Storrs weaves into the rich tapestry of her story like a strong red thread.
The wedding shroud is a mantle covering the couple in the Etruscan wedding ritual, symbolizing a united destiny (univir) in life and in death. Throughout the novel Caecilia is presented with momentous choices, and at each fork in the dark and perilous road she must choose: Will she submit to her fate, or confront it and try to change it? As innocence turns to experience, and the promising girl grows to womanhood, I was reminded of the Nietzschean aphorism: "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." I also recalled Henry James' Victorian heroine Isabel Archer who "affronts her destiny" and stoically chooses to live with the consequences.
There are references in The Wedding Shroud to Lucretia, the virtuous daughter of Rome who chose death over dishonor, but I believe Caecilia is a universal heroine, transcending the sometimes black and white world of antique myth and legend to enter into the greyer shaded realm of existential heroism.
The Wedding Shroud is a compelling story meticulously researched, replete with memorable characters, vivid descriptive details, and elegant prose sparkling with poetic metaphors. I highly recommend it.
The distance from Rome to Veii is only twelve miles, but during that short journey Caecilia displays courage when the small caravan is attacked by Gallic marauders. Impressed by his bride's fortitude, Mastarna dubs her bellatrix (female warrior). But Caecilia is no comic book heroine; she's an intelligent, innocent, and frightened young woman in dangerous territory--a psychologically complex, three-dimensional character, as is her patient yet sometimes truculent and brooding Etruscan husband.
Once in Veii, Cecilia is cast into a social and political vortex among those who welcome her and those who despise her, those who are true and those who deceive. Brought up in the Stoic tradition to be a virtuous daughter of Rome, she is at first scandalized and then tempted by Etruscan hedonism, the ancient equivalent of a "Sex, drugs and rock and roll" culture. She is also attracted to cult worship and the gods of her new home, including the claims of her haruspex (one who interprets omens) brother-in-law that he can "postpone" fate. And this brings us to the overarching theme of fate or Fortuna, which Storrs weaves into the rich tapestry of her story like a strong red thread.
The wedding shroud is a mantle covering the couple in the Etruscan wedding ritual, symbolizing a united destiny (univir) in life and in death. Throughout the novel Caecilia is presented with momentous choices, and at each fork in the dark and perilous road she must choose: Will she submit to her fate, or confront it and try to change it? As innocence turns to experience, and the promising girl grows to womanhood, I was reminded of the Nietzschean aphorism: "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." I also recalled Henry James' Victorian heroine Isabel Archer who "affronts her destiny" and stoically chooses to live with the consequences.
There are references in The Wedding Shroud to Lucretia, the virtuous daughter of Rome who chose death over dishonor, but I believe Caecilia is a universal heroine, transcending the sometimes black and white world of antique myth and legend to enter into the greyer shaded realm of existential heroism.
The Wedding Shroud is a compelling story meticulously researched, replete with memorable characters, vivid descriptive details, and elegant prose sparkling with poetic metaphors. I highly recommend it.
March 22, 2015
The Wedding Shroud Interesting time period. Historical details are well written and well-placed in the flow of the book. It would be difficult to get them all right no matter your pedigree and readers will always find fault or quibble with some detail. For me there were two jarring occurrences. One was the use of the word angel several times in Caecelia’s expression of worship of different deities. I realize that this word that conveys a Judeo-Christian concept to me can represent something quite different. However, the second sticking place for me was Caecelia’s opinion that “books held knowledge and the law, not divine words. Roman deities had not allowed their magic to be recorded in ink and paper.” At the time, the Romans did have the books the last king of Rome had purchased from the Sybil of Cumae and they were kept in the Temple of Jupiter and used to interpret omens. So much for the quibbles in what seemed to be fairly well researched history.
My main problem with The Wedding Shroud was it’s pace, pretty leisurely. This was a meandering walk down a garden path, interesting historical elements, occasional dangers but no sense of purpose, no compelling reason to keep reading it.
Unless a problem is placed front and center at the beginning of a book, the story is just a narrative. True, dangers happen: an assault on the road to the groom’s hometown after the wedding, an encounter with the groom’s previous lover, worries about meeting up to the model of his previous spouse. As to that last one, it was covered by the classic, Rebecca, more successfully since there was an aura of suspense in that book. Oh, and if the arranged marriage doesn't work out, the peace treaty is invalid and a war will resume. That last problem should have been paramount in the reader's mind as s/he continues to read along from the start but it only comes up as the marriage finally meets more problems than Caecelia can overcome.
Although I love history, I think the plot would have been better served by emphasizing a crisis at the beginning. But with over 238 Amazon reviews and 177 of them 4 stars or better, I have to concede that many readers like a leisurely stroll through history. I mentioned Rebecca but almost every successful book seems to have the same sense of tension at the outset. For example, The Harry Potter books stress a life-or-death problem that arises almost as soon as the characters hit the door at Hogwarts. Outlander, similar to this book in that the main character is a stranger in a strange land, has Claire fighting to stay alive as soon as she hits the Scottish time boundary, then fighting to get back to her own time, etc.
I did enjoy the author’s notes at the back of the book more than the actual book.
My main problem with The Wedding Shroud was it’s pace, pretty leisurely. This was a meandering walk down a garden path, interesting historical elements, occasional dangers but no sense of purpose, no compelling reason to keep reading it.
Unless a problem is placed front and center at the beginning of a book, the story is just a narrative. True, dangers happen: an assault on the road to the groom’s hometown after the wedding, an encounter with the groom’s previous lover, worries about meeting up to the model of his previous spouse. As to that last one, it was covered by the classic, Rebecca, more successfully since there was an aura of suspense in that book. Oh, and if the arranged marriage doesn't work out, the peace treaty is invalid and a war will resume. That last problem should have been paramount in the reader's mind as s/he continues to read along from the start but it only comes up as the marriage finally meets more problems than Caecelia can overcome.
Although I love history, I think the plot would have been better served by emphasizing a crisis at the beginning. But with over 238 Amazon reviews and 177 of them 4 stars or better, I have to concede that many readers like a leisurely stroll through history. I mentioned Rebecca but almost every successful book seems to have the same sense of tension at the outset. For example, The Harry Potter books stress a life-or-death problem that arises almost as soon as the characters hit the door at Hogwarts. Outlander, similar to this book in that the main character is a stranger in a strange land, has Claire fighting to stay alive as soon as she hits the Scottish time boundary, then fighting to get back to her own time, etc.
I did enjoy the author’s notes at the back of the book more than the actual book.
January 5, 2013
This was such a good book. It's complex yet not hard to understand, and it has amazing characters that linger on in the mind (yes, I'm thinking of Mastarna.) I fell in love a little with him, and wow, the way the book ends, you really root for this couple.
I've seen some comments about Caecilia and would like to add my two cents. She's just 18 when BOOM, she's told she's being given in marriage to a man (a complete stranger, and 20 years older than her) who is the enemy of Rome! (It's some political thing.) This to me would be similar to current stories of young women (even girls) being given in marriage to old men in certain countries today. We feel bad for those girls: some have committed suicide. This is no different. It's important to remember the facts as they were given to her: she has lived an extremely sheltered life and all of a sudden she's married to an enemy, and taken away from everything she's ever known. For me, Caecilia's reactions were spot on, very believable, and any other reaction on her part would have turned this historical delight into a trite romance. Oh, there's plenty of romance, by the way--but because it's hard won, it has more meaning. One line I thought described it so well: "She felt like she was nothing. Less than nothing. Displaced among the living; unwanted amid the dead." Tarchon, her stepson, takes her under his wing, teaches her the language, is kind to her, as is Mastarna's mother. Thank goodness: it could have gone so differently. Yes, Caecilia clings to her past, to her loyalty to Rome, to her cousin and a Roman boy she thinks loves her. She knows nothing else. But in all good fiction there's growth, setbacks, new growth, realizations.
There are those in her new home who don't have Caecilia's best interests at heart, though they pretend to--for awhile, which of course lends itself well to painful betrayals. It all makes for a fascinating, enlightening, memorable read! I really enjoyed how carefully the author fleshed out everyone, even minor characters. Everyone had a face, a personality. I was involved with them all.
When she does go back to Rome, she is chastised for "changing." Really? I thought her reply magnificent: "What did you expect," she said, "when you sent a bride to live with lions?" What a wonderful line!
The research that went into the detail and flow of the story is impressive. The author doesn't skimp on the sights, smells, and sounds either. I felt immersed in Rome, in the Etruscan society, in the time period, and in the characters.
This is Book One: a sequel is forthcoming!
I've seen some comments about Caecilia and would like to add my two cents. She's just 18 when BOOM, she's told she's being given in marriage to a man (a complete stranger, and 20 years older than her) who is the enemy of Rome! (It's some political thing.) This to me would be similar to current stories of young women (even girls) being given in marriage to old men in certain countries today. We feel bad for those girls: some have committed suicide. This is no different. It's important to remember the facts as they were given to her: she has lived an extremely sheltered life and all of a sudden she's married to an enemy, and taken away from everything she's ever known. For me, Caecilia's reactions were spot on, very believable, and any other reaction on her part would have turned this historical delight into a trite romance. Oh, there's plenty of romance, by the way--but because it's hard won, it has more meaning. One line I thought described it so well: "She felt like she was nothing. Less than nothing. Displaced among the living; unwanted amid the dead." Tarchon, her stepson, takes her under his wing, teaches her the language, is kind to her, as is Mastarna's mother. Thank goodness: it could have gone so differently. Yes, Caecilia clings to her past, to her loyalty to Rome, to her cousin and a Roman boy she thinks loves her. She knows nothing else. But in all good fiction there's growth, setbacks, new growth, realizations.
There are those in her new home who don't have Caecilia's best interests at heart, though they pretend to--for awhile, which of course lends itself well to painful betrayals. It all makes for a fascinating, enlightening, memorable read! I really enjoyed how carefully the author fleshed out everyone, even minor characters. Everyone had a face, a personality. I was involved with them all.
When she does go back to Rome, she is chastised for "changing." Really? I thought her reply magnificent: "What did you expect," she said, "when you sent a bride to live with lions?" What a wonderful line!
The research that went into the detail and flow of the story is impressive. The author doesn't skimp on the sights, smells, and sounds either. I felt immersed in Rome, in the Etruscan society, in the time period, and in the characters.
This is Book One: a sequel is forthcoming!
May 22, 2015
This novel was very unusual, different to what I had imagined when I started it, but I came to really enjoy it. The author did a wonderful job in portraying the contrasts between the two cities Veii and Rome--only twelve miles apart and yet vastly different. The central character Caecilia is Roman born yet Etruscan wed and it is her altering perspectives that we as the reader are shown throughout the novel. I really liked Caecilia and therefore found myself connected to her story.
The reason I found this novel somewhat unusual was due to the focus upon religion/spirituality as one of the core tenants of the story. Caecilia finds herself caught between the varying beliefs of her Roman upbringing, her Etruscan husband and her brother-in-law, an influential priest in Veii. These diverse religious beliefs and practices bleed into every day life and every manner of society. For example; how women are regarded or how sex should be viewed, even going as far as dictating what one should do upon waking in the morning until bedding down at night. Religion played a huge part in Etruscan life and therefore it forms a large part of Caecilia's story. In her struggle to find herself she is confused as to which religion to follow and who she should trust. It is only towards the far end of the novel that she begins to realize that it is only herself who can know which path is right for her.
In many ways this is a coming of age story as Caecilia grows from an unwanted and ignored Roman maiden to a neglected Estrucan wife, eventually becoming a beloved woman of a beloved man. The race was on as to whether Caecilia would figure out that she was truly loved before the novel ended. I read the last quarter of the novel very quickly in anticipation of the relationship between her and her husband Mastarna blossoming. It ended on a huge cliffhanger however and so now I am very eager to read the next novel in the series! I'm sure I'll be starting "The Golden Dice" very shortly.
The reason I found this novel somewhat unusual was due to the focus upon religion/spirituality as one of the core tenants of the story. Caecilia finds herself caught between the varying beliefs of her Roman upbringing, her Etruscan husband and her brother-in-law, an influential priest in Veii. These diverse religious beliefs and practices bleed into every day life and every manner of society. For example; how women are regarded or how sex should be viewed, even going as far as dictating what one should do upon waking in the morning until bedding down at night. Religion played a huge part in Etruscan life and therefore it forms a large part of Caecilia's story. In her struggle to find herself she is confused as to which religion to follow and who she should trust. It is only towards the far end of the novel that she begins to realize that it is only herself who can know which path is right for her.
In many ways this is a coming of age story as Caecilia grows from an unwanted and ignored Roman maiden to a neglected Estrucan wife, eventually becoming a beloved woman of a beloved man. The race was on as to whether Caecilia would figure out that she was truly loved before the novel ended. I read the last quarter of the novel very quickly in anticipation of the relationship between her and her husband Mastarna blossoming. It ended on a huge cliffhanger however and so now I am very eager to read the next novel in the series! I'm sure I'll be starting "The Golden Dice" very shortly.
August 18, 2011
A beautiful, detail rich, historical fiction story that simply amazed me. I was surprised I didn't let the beginning frustrate me since I have a tendency to give up on books that have a lot of unfamiliar detail that I must learn. And boy did I learn plenty from this book.
I knew nothing about the Etruscans before this book. I'm sure I was taught about the war between the Etruscan city of Veii and Rome but before this book, I'll tell you I didn't care to remember anything I previously learned. You can tell the author meticulously researched the book and she did so in a way that made the story come to life.
Besides the historical detail, it was also a story about women, about discrimination, about self-empowerment. At no time was it preachy. At no time, did it try to be anything but a beautifully written, well-researched historical fiction book. There are twists in it and I don't want to give them away, instead discover them yourself!
Thank you Pier 9 for the book.
I knew nothing about the Etruscans before this book. I'm sure I was taught about the war between the Etruscan city of Veii and Rome but before this book, I'll tell you I didn't care to remember anything I previously learned. You can tell the author meticulously researched the book and she did so in a way that made the story come to life.
Besides the historical detail, it was also a story about women, about discrimination, about self-empowerment. At no time was it preachy. At no time, did it try to be anything but a beautifully written, well-researched historical fiction book. There are twists in it and I don't want to give them away, instead discover them yourself!
Thank you Pier 9 for the book.
October 26, 2016
The book started out really strong with an interesting cast of characters and an intriguing setting. The author did a good job of bringing ancient Rome and Veii to life. But around the halfway mark I found myself getting increasingly frustrated. The main character begins making bizarre choices that seemed out of character, far too much time was suddenly spent on depicting the religious rituals of the time, and the plot took a sudden turn into left field. I continued because I wanted to know what happened to these characters that I had grown attached to, but I spent much of the last half bored and frustrated.
January 24, 2013
I really want to know what happened next!
dnf
September 17, 2021Oh how I wanted to read and love these books. I tried to like this book. I picked it up twice to only stop reading in frustration. There was something in the storytelling. I couldn't connect with the language at all. The timeline/characters seemed disjointed. I was confused from the beginning.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book and hopefully I will find another one of your titles to love.
I received an advanced reader copy from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book and hopefully I will find another one of your titles to love.
I received an advanced reader copy from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley
April 21, 2015
I was kindly given this ARC by Lake Union Publishing in return for an honest review.
"I am Aemilia Caeciliana. Today I am Rome. I must endure."
What. A. Tale!
Okay, this book in terms of the research and the depiction of the time period, it was stunning.
If you ever wanted to know what the Etruscans were like, then here is a book that delves deeply in cultural practices, religion, and marital rights, etc...
Honestly, so many things in this book made me cringe. Not necessarily in a bad way, it's just that novels nowadays tend to romanticize this time period. This one isn't like that, it depicts the debauchery, perversion, gore, war and evil intent that led to some of the bloodiest battles in history.
It illustrates the phantasm of wars and the demeaning aspects of being a woman back then. Also the greed, the pride and arrogance in leaders. All those nasty little bits that are often glossed over, this book portrays, and bless my little historian heart if i wasn't thoroughly engrossed...and disgusted at the same time.
This isn't a book for those who can't handle a lot of bad things such as rape, pedophilia, human sacrifice, gore etc...
Honestly, i like to think i can stomach a lot of things and this one had me cringing and blinking out of space!
ATTENTION! This book has obvious sexual scenes and while it doesn't go into a lot of detail, you know it's there. Also there also times when little children are involve...*shudders*
Okay, before i go further on, let me do my little rendition of the plot.
Caecilia is a pawn.
The sacrificial lamb given to a man nearly 20 years older than her, so that a truce can be upheld.
She hates Etruscans.
She doesn't want to be one.
But the more she lives with them...the more she desires to be one of them.
Treachery abounds.
Caecilia is never safe.
She never thought that the husband she decided to hate could be her ally.
But Caecilia denies him what he wants the most,
an Heir.
Rome and the Etruscan are at a very reluctant peace,
Will this marriage give fodder to either peoples to begin a war?
Read to find out.
Okay i will be honest and say that the character Caecilia irritated me to the point that i nearly yelled at my tablet.
However, i had to remind myself that she's 17 or 18 years old at the time and was very sheltered.
Another thing, there was the misconception that Rome was the paragon of virtue. i would argue that they were just as bad as the Etruscans with their orgies and human sacrifice *shudder* but you can rebut me on that.
"Perfumed, short-cropped hair, no beard. Caecilia truly beheld a savage."
Apparently Etruscans were more into cleanliness than Romans!
That quote made me laugh, it was refreshing in a way because this author actually talks about the people smelling bad! how rare! Sometimes when i read other Historical fic and they talk about someone smelling like honey-suckle, all i can think of is that if you shower once a week and don't wash your clothes very often, i'm pretty sure you wont be smelling like roses...ugh, honey-suckle!
It talks about rotting teeth and all that yuckiness, but that was how it was! SO bravo Storrs for actually going into that!
Oh! The husband wasn't actually very handsome, another rare thing. But the girl was exactly beautiful either so another refreshing aspect!
Honestly, i will say that I thought both the Romans and Etruscans were absolutely messed up in culture and I'm SO happy i wasn't alive back then!
There was a lot on religion,like the Calu Cult, another really frightening bit. Human Sacrifice, animal sacrifice, blood, reading from entrails, poison, elixirs and all that stuff was enough to make my stomach revolt.
That being said, the author did a fantastic job in depicting the time period!
Minus the misconception of the Rome having very puritan ideals, i pretty much applauded this author.
I won't say anymore, because i wouldn't want to spoil it for you. But heed my warning of the above mentioned things, because you may find yourself really creeped out if you go into this story unknowingly!
Stay wonderful!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
"I am Aemilia Caeciliana. Today I am Rome. I must endure."
What. A. Tale!
Okay, this book in terms of the research and the depiction of the time period, it was stunning.
If you ever wanted to know what the Etruscans were like, then here is a book that delves deeply in cultural practices, religion, and marital rights, etc...
Honestly, so many things in this book made me cringe. Not necessarily in a bad way, it's just that novels nowadays tend to romanticize this time period. This one isn't like that, it depicts the debauchery, perversion, gore, war and evil intent that led to some of the bloodiest battles in history.
It illustrates the phantasm of wars and the demeaning aspects of being a woman back then. Also the greed, the pride and arrogance in leaders. All those nasty little bits that are often glossed over, this book portrays, and bless my little historian heart if i wasn't thoroughly engrossed...and disgusted at the same time.
This isn't a book for those who can't handle a lot of bad things such as rape, pedophilia, human sacrifice, gore etc...
Honestly, i like to think i can stomach a lot of things and this one had me cringing and blinking out of space!
ATTENTION! This book has obvious sexual scenes and while it doesn't go into a lot of detail, you know it's there. Also there also times when little children are involve...*shudders*
Okay, before i go further on, let me do my little rendition of the plot.
Caecilia is a pawn.
The sacrificial lamb given to a man nearly 20 years older than her, so that a truce can be upheld.
She hates Etruscans.
She doesn't want to be one.
But the more she lives with them...the more she desires to be one of them.
Treachery abounds.
Caecilia is never safe.
She never thought that the husband she decided to hate could be her ally.
But Caecilia denies him what he wants the most,
an Heir.
Rome and the Etruscan are at a very reluctant peace,
Will this marriage give fodder to either peoples to begin a war?
Read to find out.
Okay i will be honest and say that the character Caecilia irritated me to the point that i nearly yelled at my tablet.
However, i had to remind myself that she's 17 or 18 years old at the time and was very sheltered.
Another thing, there was the misconception that Rome was the paragon of virtue. i would argue that they were just as bad as the Etruscans with their orgies and human sacrifice *shudder* but you can rebut me on that.
"Perfumed, short-cropped hair, no beard. Caecilia truly beheld a savage."
Apparently Etruscans were more into cleanliness than Romans!
That quote made me laugh, it was refreshing in a way because this author actually talks about the people smelling bad! how rare! Sometimes when i read other Historical fic and they talk about someone smelling like honey-suckle, all i can think of is that if you shower once a week and don't wash your clothes very often, i'm pretty sure you wont be smelling like roses...ugh, honey-suckle!
It talks about rotting teeth and all that yuckiness, but that was how it was! SO bravo Storrs for actually going into that!
Oh! The husband wasn't actually very handsome, another rare thing. But the girl was exactly beautiful either so another refreshing aspect!
Honestly, i will say that I thought both the Romans and Etruscans were absolutely messed up in culture and I'm SO happy i wasn't alive back then!
There was a lot on religion,like the Calu Cult, another really frightening bit. Human Sacrifice, animal sacrifice, blood, reading from entrails, poison, elixirs and all that stuff was enough to make my stomach revolt.
That being said, the author did a fantastic job in depicting the time period!
Minus the misconception of the Rome having very puritan ideals, i pretty much applauded this author.
I won't say anymore, because i wouldn't want to spoil it for you. But heed my warning of the above mentioned things, because you may find yourself really creeped out if you go into this story unknowingly!
Stay wonderful!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
August 9, 2011
It got me hooked from the first words in the Prologue - "Her whole world was orange" - and I couldn't put it down for a while. THE WEDDING SHROUD is a surprising page-turner , about-500-page- thick, dense with tension, emotion and sensuousness, crowded with unforgettable vivid characters: Cecilia, Mastarna, Tarchon, Marcus, Drusus, Larthia, Ulthes, Erene, Artile, Arruns, Cytheris, Tulumnes, and even dead Seianta. Elisabeth Storrs combines detailed research and remarkably talented writing in her portrayal of life in Early Rome. Her heroine, Cecilia, is a complex character, presented in all the frailty of an unloved child grown-up into a torn young woman. It is not easy for her to love, trust or rely on others, especially once she gets to an enemy city and culture. Prejudiced, stubborn, frightened and divided between her loyalty to Rome and her duty as a Veientane wife, her mind keeps her tied to Roman values and morality, while her heart and her senses wish and escape and are fascinated by the freedom and beauty she finds in Veii.
She is the daughter of a foe there, so finds herself an outcast, but she is also welcome with respect, love and sympathy by Mastarna's family and best friends. Mastarna, her husband. A marriage of convenience, a pact between her uncle, who adopted Cecilia after her father's death, and the rich and noble Etruscan, Mastarna: their union is the symbol of the agreement between Rome and Veii to prolongue the truce established two years earlier in their endless enmity. She loves a handsome Roman soldier, Drusus, and has only got one friend, her cousin Marcus: now she has to leave them both and marry Mastarna.
Cecilia is determined to remain faithful to Roman virtues while leaving among the sinful Etruscans. Instead she finds herself tempted and charmed by a mystical, hedonistic culture. Mastarna wins her resistance and seduces her into his world, offering her pleasure, independence, confidence and awareness. Mastarna is rich, powerful and experienced. The scars all over his body are signs of all the sufferings he has gone through in his life. Pain , sorrow and rage haunt him as well as the ghost of his first beloved wife, Seianta. He seeks relief for his troubled mind defying death on any occasion. He wants to join Seianta.
Mastarna is so totally different from any other man Cecilia has known, he stirs her curiosity and shows her patience and respect. She wants to know more about him, his dark secrets. So she listens carefully to everyone who has known him longer than herself: his mother Larthia, his adopted son Tarchon, his best friend Ulthes and his best friend's mistress Erene.
Cecilia's journey in the story will bring her through unexpected discoveries and shocking experiences which will convince her that Fate can't be easily controlled - as she was wrongly led to believe - and that she finally must choose where her allegiance lies.
You'll be allured by the magic and beauty of the Etruscan world, just like Cecilia. Ancient history becomes life, love and passion in this novel.
P.S. Have a look at my review on my blog, too. There is a giveaway of a signed copy going on and open worldwide! http://bit.ly/qWkySk
She is the daughter of a foe there, so finds herself an outcast, but she is also welcome with respect, love and sympathy by Mastarna's family and best friends. Mastarna, her husband. A marriage of convenience, a pact between her uncle, who adopted Cecilia after her father's death, and the rich and noble Etruscan, Mastarna: their union is the symbol of the agreement between Rome and Veii to prolongue the truce established two years earlier in their endless enmity. She loves a handsome Roman soldier, Drusus, and has only got one friend, her cousin Marcus: now she has to leave them both and marry Mastarna.
Cecilia is determined to remain faithful to Roman virtues while leaving among the sinful Etruscans. Instead she finds herself tempted and charmed by a mystical, hedonistic culture. Mastarna wins her resistance and seduces her into his world, offering her pleasure, independence, confidence and awareness. Mastarna is rich, powerful and experienced. The scars all over his body are signs of all the sufferings he has gone through in his life. Pain , sorrow and rage haunt him as well as the ghost of his first beloved wife, Seianta. He seeks relief for his troubled mind defying death on any occasion. He wants to join Seianta.
Mastarna is so totally different from any other man Cecilia has known, he stirs her curiosity and shows her patience and respect. She wants to know more about him, his dark secrets. So she listens carefully to everyone who has known him longer than herself: his mother Larthia, his adopted son Tarchon, his best friend Ulthes and his best friend's mistress Erene.
Cecilia's journey in the story will bring her through unexpected discoveries and shocking experiences which will convince her that Fate can't be easily controlled - as she was wrongly led to believe - and that she finally must choose where her allegiance lies.
You'll be allured by the magic and beauty of the Etruscan world, just like Cecilia. Ancient history becomes life, love and passion in this novel.
P.S. Have a look at my review on my blog, too. There is a giveaway of a signed copy going on and open worldwide! http://bit.ly/qWkySk
November 29, 2012
Elisabeth Storrs brings us life in the Etruscan times when Rome and Veii (an Etruscan city merely 12 miles away)were enemies. The heroine, Caecilia, a Roman born from a plebian father and patrician mother (back then a problem from the onset), is given in marriage to a Veii as a peace treaty of the two regions.
Caecillia, having been brought up as a cloistered and extremely modest young Roman girl, is brought into a world that in every way contrasts her own. Married to Val Mastarna, a wealthy and very powerful Veii, Caecillia grudgingly gives up her life of purity in acceptance of the Etruscan ways. Not used to the liberty that Veii women enjoyed (drinking wine, conversing publicly with their husbands, ruling alongside, and enjoying an almost-equality with the men- all this unheard of in Rome!) - She was disgusted by it all…but nonetheless, very intrigued.
Caecillia matures into a new realm of understanding of not only the Veii way, but also about her husband and his past (a major part being the loss of his beloved first wife, Seitane), but there is also a coming of age and exploring of herself as a woman. Now dabbling in wines, substances and herbs, Caecillia’s discoveries lead her into forbidden realms…Her slave (another difference with Rome), actually became Caecillia’s confidante; whereas a notable courtesan also became part of her circle of knowledge. And of course, then there is the religious corruption- presenting Artile, Mastarna’s brother, the priest…
Mastarna, the typical Veii- and unlike his Roman adversaries, treats his new bride on an almost equal standing. He understands her reluctance regarding their relationship, their sex life and the Veii traditions. In his realm however, it is Caecillia who is the outsider. The citizens of Veii are non-trusting of her and shun her for the most part. Yet, Mastarna looks out for her and even stands up for her.
Incredibly detailed, The Wedding Shroud is a tale masterfully crafted that brings us not only the opulence and rawness of ancient times- but also a very different take on roles, cultures and traditions. Only twelve miles away from each other, who would have guessed that Veii and Rome could be completely different? I enjoyed discovering the life of Etruscans and their ways. It was also very surprising to see women being accepted as equals back then- a first for me! What a delightful change of pace for ancient times.
Characters, setting, plot- everything falls perfectly in line with what I consider to be excellent ancient historical fiction! I could go on and on! I recommend you get this - you won’t be disappointed!
Caecillia, having been brought up as a cloistered and extremely modest young Roman girl, is brought into a world that in every way contrasts her own. Married to Val Mastarna, a wealthy and very powerful Veii, Caecillia grudgingly gives up her life of purity in acceptance of the Etruscan ways. Not used to the liberty that Veii women enjoyed (drinking wine, conversing publicly with their husbands, ruling alongside, and enjoying an almost-equality with the men- all this unheard of in Rome!) - She was disgusted by it all…but nonetheless, very intrigued.
Caecillia matures into a new realm of understanding of not only the Veii way, but also about her husband and his past (a major part being the loss of his beloved first wife, Seitane), but there is also a coming of age and exploring of herself as a woman. Now dabbling in wines, substances and herbs, Caecillia’s discoveries lead her into forbidden realms…Her slave (another difference with Rome), actually became Caecillia’s confidante; whereas a notable courtesan also became part of her circle of knowledge. And of course, then there is the religious corruption- presenting Artile, Mastarna’s brother, the priest…
Mastarna, the typical Veii- and unlike his Roman adversaries, treats his new bride on an almost equal standing. He understands her reluctance regarding their relationship, their sex life and the Veii traditions. In his realm however, it is Caecillia who is the outsider. The citizens of Veii are non-trusting of her and shun her for the most part. Yet, Mastarna looks out for her and even stands up for her.
Incredibly detailed, The Wedding Shroud is a tale masterfully crafted that brings us not only the opulence and rawness of ancient times- but also a very different take on roles, cultures and traditions. Only twelve miles away from each other, who would have guessed that Veii and Rome could be completely different? I enjoyed discovering the life of Etruscans and their ways. It was also very surprising to see women being accepted as equals back then- a first for me! What a delightful change of pace for ancient times.
Characters, setting, plot- everything falls perfectly in line with what I consider to be excellent ancient historical fiction! I could go on and on! I recommend you get this - you won’t be disappointed!
April 2, 2015
I do love historical fiction and also a good romance. Club them together, add some political twists and some drama – I am sold!
Cecelia has been brought up as a modest young woman – as expected from Roman women in those days. Growing up, she knew love in two forms. First from her loving father who died when she was still very young. Then she met Drusus, her cousin’s friend while living under the guardianship of her uncle. Drusus and Cecelia loved each other and wanted to get married, but her uncle had other plans for her. As a political movement, Cecelia was married off to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from Veii. Thrust into a whole new world, that was pole opposite to the world she was brought up in, Cecelia struggles between her disgust and her curiosity for this new culture and lifestyle. Caught up in her new life, she struggles and longs to return to Rome. Will she know love again? Will she choose her Roman background or her new family in Veii?
Cecelia is a warm and vibrant character and as a reader I got drawn to her immediately. I loved how real she felt. As she goes through various emotions of Love, disgust, curiosity, confusion, deceit and betrayal, I was right beside her for the rollercoaster journey. I discovered the Entruscan world right alongside her and experienced her dilemmas and freedom. There were moments when Cecelia brooded so much that it almost started to irritate me, but then she had a right to sulking what with her beliefs and choices being challenged at every turn. Vel Mastarna on the other hand is a character I absolutely adored. For a change, the male protagonist is not straight out of a fashion magazine with his good looks sort. But he is a good man who understands, cares and loves with all his heart. His dark past and sufferings also make it easy to fall for him. He is always challenging and pushing Cecelia’s boundaries. Their relationship is another aspect of the book that I really liked. Instead of insta-love, their relationship grew and strengthened over a period of time. There are various other characters in the book who each contribute something to the storyline. Elisabeth Storrs has created a beautiful and enticing setting for her series. The Entruscan lifestyle and its contrast to the Roman society are beautifully captured.
I particularly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to historical fiction/romance lovers.
Cecelia has been brought up as a modest young woman – as expected from Roman women in those days. Growing up, she knew love in two forms. First from her loving father who died when she was still very young. Then she met Drusus, her cousin’s friend while living under the guardianship of her uncle. Drusus and Cecelia loved each other and wanted to get married, but her uncle had other plans for her. As a political movement, Cecelia was married off to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from Veii. Thrust into a whole new world, that was pole opposite to the world she was brought up in, Cecelia struggles between her disgust and her curiosity for this new culture and lifestyle. Caught up in her new life, she struggles and longs to return to Rome. Will she know love again? Will she choose her Roman background or her new family in Veii?
Cecelia is a warm and vibrant character and as a reader I got drawn to her immediately. I loved how real she felt. As she goes through various emotions of Love, disgust, curiosity, confusion, deceit and betrayal, I was right beside her for the rollercoaster journey. I discovered the Entruscan world right alongside her and experienced her dilemmas and freedom. There were moments when Cecelia brooded so much that it almost started to irritate me, but then she had a right to sulking what with her beliefs and choices being challenged at every turn. Vel Mastarna on the other hand is a character I absolutely adored. For a change, the male protagonist is not straight out of a fashion magazine with his good looks sort. But he is a good man who understands, cares and loves with all his heart. His dark past and sufferings also make it easy to fall for him. He is always challenging and pushing Cecelia’s boundaries. Their relationship is another aspect of the book that I really liked. Instead of insta-love, their relationship grew and strengthened over a period of time. There are various other characters in the book who each contribute something to the storyline. Elisabeth Storrs has created a beautiful and enticing setting for her series. The Entruscan lifestyle and its contrast to the Roman society are beautifully captured.
I particularly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to historical fiction/romance lovers.
November 18, 2011
A Compelling story of Ancient Rome and the Etruscans
Talk about the difficulties in arranged marriages! In The Wedding Shroud, author Elisabeth Storrs tells the story of a Roman woman, Caecilia, who is wed to a complete stranger, the Etruscan noble, Vel Marstarna, in order to cement a truce between the two nations. Caecilia has already experienced the difficulties of being the offspring of a marriage between a commoner and a patrician, never fully fitting into Roman society, when she is further thrust into the uneasy position of being a Roman in the Etruscan culture. Caecilia finds herself living among people with a different language, different customs, different gods, different attitudes towards sexuality, and very different attitudes towards a women’s role in society.
At every turn her own beliefs in what is right and wrong are challenged. Even the tentative relationships she develops with her servant, her step-son, and her mother-in-law, threaten her sense of what it means to be a Roman. Caecilia’s inability to reconcile her love and loyalty to Rome with her growing love for her husband and his people leads her into greater and greater personal danger as she becomes the pawn of contending religious and political forces.
The Wedding Shroud is a masterful piece of writing, deftly weaving the narrative and the historical details into a book I could not put down. I cared passionately about Caelcilia and all the other characters in the book, and I began to care about the Etruscans and the Roman people as well. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel to discover what happens next.
Talk about the difficulties in arranged marriages! In The Wedding Shroud, author Elisabeth Storrs tells the story of a Roman woman, Caecilia, who is wed to a complete stranger, the Etruscan noble, Vel Marstarna, in order to cement a truce between the two nations. Caecilia has already experienced the difficulties of being the offspring of a marriage between a commoner and a patrician, never fully fitting into Roman society, when she is further thrust into the uneasy position of being a Roman in the Etruscan culture. Caecilia finds herself living among people with a different language, different customs, different gods, different attitudes towards sexuality, and very different attitudes towards a women’s role in society.
At every turn her own beliefs in what is right and wrong are challenged. Even the tentative relationships she develops with her servant, her step-son, and her mother-in-law, threaten her sense of what it means to be a Roman. Caecilia’s inability to reconcile her love and loyalty to Rome with her growing love for her husband and his people leads her into greater and greater personal danger as she becomes the pawn of contending religious and political forces.
The Wedding Shroud is a masterful piece of writing, deftly weaving the narrative and the historical details into a book I could not put down. I cared passionately about Caelcilia and all the other characters in the book, and I began to care about the Etruscans and the Roman people as well. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel to discover what happens next.
August 27, 2013
I love how kindles can make a chunky, long historical fiction book manageable. yesterday i took the long flight home from spain to san francisco alone, and this book kept me company. it just drew me in right from the start. i loved how descriptive it was, so much detail...you can tell that she really spent a ton of time doing her historical research. i've seen things in museums about the etruscans, studied them a teency bit in college, but they were never really brought to life the way they were in this book. i also loved learning more about earlier rome. rome is usually characterized in later times, i almost forget its austere beginnings. you can really see how it changed later and incorporated a lot of the things that it didn't originally believe in, from other cultures. i would love to have lived in the etruscan world. it sounds beautiful, vibrant and fun. i was a little shocked at how many drugs they used to take, you usually think of that as more of a modern thing, but they were pretty much as bad as we are now. i wasn't bored for hours of reading, even though the main character was a bit annoying and she and her husband slightly stereotype ish. i can't wait to read the sequel...i almost went and bought it today to read but only the fact that i have a ton of other books here waiting already to read stopped me. i'm going back to it as soon as i can, though!!
March 9, 2016
Caecelia is rather irritating but - she is a young woman, a girl, really, and I think she's fairly true to many girls of her age at marriage. Stubborn, that is. Also xenophobic, which I am sure would have been true!
We know next to nothing about the Etruscans, so Ms Storrs really had a clear field and has imagined a rather attractive lifestyle with some less nice and definitely not politically correct add-ons. Rome presents as quite unpleasant; I think her heart was in Etruria from the outset!
I was riveted to the story, regardless of any imperfections and willingly suspended disbelief wherever necessary. All the secondary characters are beautifully drawn and develop well. The back story of the first wife comes out slowly and is well paced.
I am surprised this is a debut novel; the writing is extremely good, given that! A really good read, I have the sequel to hand and look forward to the third book later this year!
We know next to nothing about the Etruscans, so Ms Storrs really had a clear field and has imagined a rather attractive lifestyle with some less nice and definitely not politically correct add-ons. Rome presents as quite unpleasant; I think her heart was in Etruria from the outset!
I was riveted to the story, regardless of any imperfections and willingly suspended disbelief wherever necessary. All the secondary characters are beautifully drawn and develop well. The back story of the first wife comes out slowly and is well paced.
I am surprised this is a debut novel; the writing is extremely good, given that! A really good read, I have the sequel to hand and look forward to the third book later this year!
June 3, 2023
Too slow and boring for my tastes. The main character was frustratingly whiny and I never grew to like her. Also, with the subtitle “A Tale of Ancient Rome” I thought this book was going to be about Rome. Silly me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
While it’s been a long time between books set in Ancient Rome, never before have I read one that focusses on Etruscan culture and, in particular, those from a region only twelve miles from the Tiber River, called Veii.
This story centres on the marriage of a young Roman woman named Caecilia who, to satisfy a treaty, is married to a nobleman from Veii, the wealthy and brave Mastarna. Thrust into an unfamiliar and enemy culture, aware she’s a pawn in a political game, Caecilia is terrified of losing her Roman-ness and fights hard to maintain her roots. However, Etruscan culture and rituals, their religion and treatment of others – particularly women whom they see as equals – differs so much from what she’d been raised to believe and fear and that’s before she considers the unexpected surprise that is her older husband.
Drawn into familial as well as social dramas of her new Etruscan society, Caecilia slowly learns that it’s not just Roman leaders prepared to use her for their own ends. But as time passes, she also starts to question where her loyalties actually lie…
This book was absolutely fascinating. The history and detail included in the story were riveting, but never at the expense of plot. On the contrary, all the little facts about life in these times, from the way the sexes were treated, class structure, dress, meals, religious rituals, modes of address, were all interwoven expertly throughout the narrative. Likewise, the setting is beautifully rendered. You see the citadel of the Veii, the frequent parties they indulge in, the manner of their rituals, just as you can envisage the landscape and changing seasons. It’s easy to tell that Storrs not only knows this part of history well, but is passionate about it too, and that passion is infectious. I learned so much, but in that great way that good historical fiction can teach a reader, not by bashing you over the head with the amount of research the author has done, but gently through story-telling.
And what a story this is. Against a backdrop of enmity, political machinations and potential anarchy, Caecilia, for an educated woman, is also young. It’s quite one thing to be able to read and write, but she lacks experience, is headstrong, stubborn and tends to follow her head when it should be her heart and vice-a-versa. She’s a bag of trouble, but also believable. Annoying, but believable. Her opportunity for personal growth is constantly sabotaged by the doubts that others put into her head until she doesn’t know whom she should trust or why. Easy to understand when she’s been shoved into such an alien culture and way of being. She turns to the foundations upon which she was raised to anchor her, but often at great cost.
I look forward to learning how she develops in the later books and what Storrs has in store for her, the culture she was born into and that which she was forced to adopt.
If you enjoy historical fiction and are searching for something really different, then this could be the book for you.
This story centres on the marriage of a young Roman woman named Caecilia who, to satisfy a treaty, is married to a nobleman from Veii, the wealthy and brave Mastarna. Thrust into an unfamiliar and enemy culture, aware she’s a pawn in a political game, Caecilia is terrified of losing her Roman-ness and fights hard to maintain her roots. However, Etruscan culture and rituals, their religion and treatment of others – particularly women whom they see as equals – differs so much from what she’d been raised to believe and fear and that’s before she considers the unexpected surprise that is her older husband.
Drawn into familial as well as social dramas of her new Etruscan society, Caecilia slowly learns that it’s not just Roman leaders prepared to use her for their own ends. But as time passes, she also starts to question where her loyalties actually lie…
This book was absolutely fascinating. The history and detail included in the story were riveting, but never at the expense of plot. On the contrary, all the little facts about life in these times, from the way the sexes were treated, class structure, dress, meals, religious rituals, modes of address, were all interwoven expertly throughout the narrative. Likewise, the setting is beautifully rendered. You see the citadel of the Veii, the frequent parties they indulge in, the manner of their rituals, just as you can envisage the landscape and changing seasons. It’s easy to tell that Storrs not only knows this part of history well, but is passionate about it too, and that passion is infectious. I learned so much, but in that great way that good historical fiction can teach a reader, not by bashing you over the head with the amount of research the author has done, but gently through story-telling.
And what a story this is. Against a backdrop of enmity, political machinations and potential anarchy, Caecilia, for an educated woman, is also young. It’s quite one thing to be able to read and write, but she lacks experience, is headstrong, stubborn and tends to follow her head when it should be her heart and vice-a-versa. She’s a bag of trouble, but also believable. Annoying, but believable. Her opportunity for personal growth is constantly sabotaged by the doubts that others put into her head until she doesn’t know whom she should trust or why. Easy to understand when she’s been shoved into such an alien culture and way of being. She turns to the foundations upon which she was raised to anchor her, but often at great cost.
I look forward to learning how she develops in the later books and what Storrs has in store for her, the culture she was born into and that which she was forced to adopt.
If you enjoy historical fiction and are searching for something really different, then this could be the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews