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St. George and the Dragon
Marcellus is surprised to meet a dragon during his leave of absence from the Roman army. He is even more surprised that the alluring beast seems ready to fulfill his dreams of wealth, family, military success, and a secure Empire.
But is the dragon everything it claims to be? And what about the Christians on his father’s estate who show Marcellus a way of life that is both strange and attractive? And why does the dragon view these Christians as a threat to the Empire?
As he tries to answer these questions, Marcellus comes to realize that he may have to choose between a life of Roman prosperity and becoming an outlaw in the Empire he loves.
But is the dragon everything it claims to be? And what about the Christians on his father’s estate who show Marcellus a way of life that is both strange and attractive? And why does the dragon view these Christians as a threat to the Empire?
As he tries to answer these questions, Marcellus comes to realize that he may have to choose between a life of Roman prosperity and becoming an outlaw in the Empire he loves.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2014
22 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 15, 2018
3.5 stars.
While the writing style was at times a bit simplistic (it was aimed for younger readers, I believe, so there's that), the story matter was handled quite interestingly and it was well done!
While the writing style was at times a bit simplistic (it was aimed for younger readers, I believe, so there's that), the story matter was handled quite interestingly and it was well done!
May 7, 2014
My copy of this book is now covered in taco salad.
This may not sound like a compliment, but believe me, it is. I’m not a particularly tidy eater, nor am I very good at eating and reading simultaneously, so when mealtimes roll around I often have to put my books away. But in the case of 'St. George and the Dragon,' I found that I was unable to do so. Hence the taco salad.
A soldier in the Roman army, Marcellus thinks he has his life figured out. He’s climbing the ladder of success, one promotion at a time, and now he’s getting married to a girl he actually likes.
But lately, Marcellus has been hearing talk of dragon-worshipers. His curiosity is piqued when his bride-to-be tells him that she herself is a dragon-worshiper, and urges him to go and meet the mysterious dragon. When Marcellus does so, he is enthralled by the dragon, but he also finds himself suspicious of its motives.
Meanwhile, the Christian slaves who work for Marcellus’ father (whom Marcellus has always thought of as harmless, peaceful folk) have introduced him to their unique lifestyle, which he finds oddly intriguing. But the dragon asserts that these Christians are a danger to the Roman Empire, and that they ought to be eliminated.
So what does Marcellus choose? A comfortable life serving the dragon and the Empire, or life as a Christian outlaw?
Like you don’t already know.
The story of St. George is fairly well-known, but it is significantly lacking in detail. Well, not anymore. In this book, the legend of St. George and the Dragon has been fleshed out and turned on its head for your reading pleasure. In a time when the words ‘YA literature’ mean sparkly vampires and shoddy writing, 'St. George and the Dragon' is a refreshing departure from the cultural norm, succeeding as a spiritually valuable piece of literature as well as an example of great storytelling.
Engaging and well-written, my only problem with this story is that it was not long enough. Seriously. It could have been the length of ten pieces of Russian literature combined, and I still would have spilled taco salad all over it in my eagerness to finish it.
One of my favorite parts was towards the end, when George/Marcellus is described killing the dragon in a way that directly mirrors the visual interpretation of the event in the original icon (which is featured on the cover of the book). The art and iconography nerd in me was immensely pleased.
In case I didn’t already sell this enough, I recommend that you read this book. Now.
This may not sound like a compliment, but believe me, it is. I’m not a particularly tidy eater, nor am I very good at eating and reading simultaneously, so when mealtimes roll around I often have to put my books away. But in the case of 'St. George and the Dragon,' I found that I was unable to do so. Hence the taco salad.
A soldier in the Roman army, Marcellus thinks he has his life figured out. He’s climbing the ladder of success, one promotion at a time, and now he’s getting married to a girl he actually likes.
But lately, Marcellus has been hearing talk of dragon-worshipers. His curiosity is piqued when his bride-to-be tells him that she herself is a dragon-worshiper, and urges him to go and meet the mysterious dragon. When Marcellus does so, he is enthralled by the dragon, but he also finds himself suspicious of its motives.
Meanwhile, the Christian slaves who work for Marcellus’ father (whom Marcellus has always thought of as harmless, peaceful folk) have introduced him to their unique lifestyle, which he finds oddly intriguing. But the dragon asserts that these Christians are a danger to the Roman Empire, and that they ought to be eliminated.
So what does Marcellus choose? A comfortable life serving the dragon and the Empire, or life as a Christian outlaw?
Like you don’t already know.
The story of St. George is fairly well-known, but it is significantly lacking in detail. Well, not anymore. In this book, the legend of St. George and the Dragon has been fleshed out and turned on its head for your reading pleasure. In a time when the words ‘YA literature’ mean sparkly vampires and shoddy writing, 'St. George and the Dragon' is a refreshing departure from the cultural norm, succeeding as a spiritually valuable piece of literature as well as an example of great storytelling.
Engaging and well-written, my only problem with this story is that it was not long enough. Seriously. It could have been the length of ten pieces of Russian literature combined, and I still would have spilled taco salad all over it in my eagerness to finish it.
One of my favorite parts was towards the end, when George/Marcellus is described killing the dragon in a way that directly mirrors the visual interpretation of the event in the original icon (which is featured on the cover of the book). The art and iconography nerd in me was immensely pleased.
In case I didn’t already sell this enough, I recommend that you read this book. Now.
April 22, 2020
Spoiler Alert! St. George kills the dragon. ;-)
I so enjoyed this. I appreciate the Author's Note right at the beginning, "This is a story of Saint George. I say a story and not the story for no one knows much about Saint George."
Lotti takes what we know of Saint George, of theology, and of the time and period in which St. George lived, and weaves a beautiful - but pointed - tale, a tale that points the mirror right back at the reader.
I now have a greater understanding of both this period of history and what it was like for Christians, and what the story of Saint George and the Dragon means to me.
I so enjoyed this. I appreciate the Author's Note right at the beginning, "This is a story of Saint George. I say a story and not the story for no one knows much about Saint George."
Lotti takes what we know of Saint George, of theology, and of the time and period in which St. George lived, and weaves a beautiful - but pointed - tale, a tale that points the mirror right back at the reader.
I now have a greater understanding of both this period of history and what it was like for Christians, and what the story of Saint George and the Dragon means to me.
May 6, 2020
A different take on the story of St. George and the Dragon. It's set in the Roman Empire after the death of Christ. The main character is a soldier and the son of a wealthy landowner.
April 23 is St. George Day, so I was searching for books about St. George. The premise of this particular one intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed (I also learned more about the Roman Empire at the same time. So it was a win-win.
April 23 is St. George Day, so I was searching for books about St. George. The premise of this particular one intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed (I also learned more about the Roman Empire at the same time. So it was a win-win.
August 3, 2020
I read this aloud to my older kids, ages 12 and 10. They absolutely loved it, lots of fun. Quick and fun read for adults and great read aloud for kids. This is the only version of this story I have read. One scene between a betrothed couple seemed very sensual/ suggestive but all implied, a few sentences. Christian message of salvation.
June 22, 2024
dare I say historical novel?
This is the possible backstory of a real man. Almost nothing is known about St. George beyond the fact that he killed a dragon. I guess this side of heaven we will never know how much of this story was inspired fact and how much was imagination of the author. But it is all certainly plausible from what we know about the historical era.
This is the possible backstory of a real man. Almost nothing is known about St. George beyond the fact that he killed a dragon. I guess this side of heaven we will never know how much of this story was inspired fact and how much was imagination of the author. But it is all certainly plausible from what we know about the historical era.
June 13, 2019
Reads like a modern story
Well written and draws the reader in while keeping a depth and intensity needed for an adventure story. I’m not sure how “faithful” it is to the older stories of St. George but well worth the read
Well written and draws the reader in while keeping a depth and intensity needed for an adventure story. I’m not sure how “faithful” it is to the older stories of St. George but well worth the read
January 1, 2020
Interesting read.
August 18, 2023
A young adult novel account of the folktale of St. George and the Dragon. Set in the early Roman Era as the Romans start to persecute the early Christians.
October 16, 2023
I get that there's not much known about Saint George but this was some weird fantasy novel.
July 30, 2014
The icon of St. George slaying the dragon is one of the most recognizable images in iconography. However, apart from legends, very little is known about this saint. Mr. Lotti recognizes this and weaves a story based on the facts and guesses people know about St. George. Therefore, this is a story about St. George, and not the story about St. George. The setting is 300 A.D. in the Roman Empire, and the main character is a soldier named Marcellus, who will eventually become St. George. The audience for this book would be tween to teenage years, though younger adults might find it enjoyable as well.
Throughout the early part of the book, Mr. Lotti paints us a wonderful picture of Marcellus. He is the son of Titus, a former officer in the army of the Roman Empire. Marcellus is also a brilliant soldier, because he has been trained to be a soldier from his youth. He loves and values the Empire above all else, and wants the best for it. He is also engaged to a woman named Regina with a wedding to take place very shortly. In order to get married, he has to take time off from the army and return to his father's estate. It is on this leave that his world is turned upside down. He learns his father is a Christian sympathizer. Titus isn't a Christian, but he allows his slaves to be, and his most loyal slave, Pasikrates, is a big Christian. This was bold for this day and age, because Christians were heavily persecuted by the Emperor Diocletian. Another startling discovery he learns is about a religion that worships a dragon. To make matters worse, Regina is a devout follower, and wants Marcellus to be as well. I won't give away further plot details. You'll have to buy the book and read it to find out.
There are several recurring themes in this book. One major theme is good vs. evil, or God vs. the dragon. The Christians, the local bishop, and the thought of God always seem to put Marcellus at ease. However, the dragon and dragon-worshippers make Marcellus sick to his stomach and feel completely powerless, but not in a good way. The first encounter/conversation Marcellus had with the dragon made me uncomfortable for Marcellus and my stomach tighten up a bit. That's good writing! The other major theme in this book is slavery. Slavery is a common practice in 300 A.D., but Marcellus has a hard time understanding/agreeing with the concept that just because a man is a slave on earth, doesn't make him any less of a person. It is for this reason that he also has a hard time understanding that being a slave for God is one of the best things you can be.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book in all honesty. You never know how an author's first novel is going to turn out. To say the very least, I was pleasantly surprised! It is a great story and a wonderful fleshing out of a legend we know so little about. Additionally, it presents a solid teaching of both Bible and tradition. I also love the fact that it has appeal to both Catholics and Orthodox alike. I hope that this is not the last novel he writes, and I would gladly read another of his books if it's the same quality as this one.
Throughout the early part of the book, Mr. Lotti paints us a wonderful picture of Marcellus. He is the son of Titus, a former officer in the army of the Roman Empire. Marcellus is also a brilliant soldier, because he has been trained to be a soldier from his youth. He loves and values the Empire above all else, and wants the best for it. He is also engaged to a woman named Regina with a wedding to take place very shortly. In order to get married, he has to take time off from the army and return to his father's estate. It is on this leave that his world is turned upside down. He learns his father is a Christian sympathizer. Titus isn't a Christian, but he allows his slaves to be, and his most loyal slave, Pasikrates, is a big Christian. This was bold for this day and age, because Christians were heavily persecuted by the Emperor Diocletian. Another startling discovery he learns is about a religion that worships a dragon. To make matters worse, Regina is a devout follower, and wants Marcellus to be as well. I won't give away further plot details. You'll have to buy the book and read it to find out.
There are several recurring themes in this book. One major theme is good vs. evil, or God vs. the dragon. The Christians, the local bishop, and the thought of God always seem to put Marcellus at ease. However, the dragon and dragon-worshippers make Marcellus sick to his stomach and feel completely powerless, but not in a good way. The first encounter/conversation Marcellus had with the dragon made me uncomfortable for Marcellus and my stomach tighten up a bit. That's good writing! The other major theme in this book is slavery. Slavery is a common practice in 300 A.D., but Marcellus has a hard time understanding/agreeing with the concept that just because a man is a slave on earth, doesn't make him any less of a person. It is for this reason that he also has a hard time understanding that being a slave for God is one of the best things you can be.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book in all honesty. You never know how an author's first novel is going to turn out. To say the very least, I was pleasantly surprised! It is a great story and a wonderful fleshing out of a legend we know so little about. Additionally, it presents a solid teaching of both Bible and tradition. I also love the fact that it has appeal to both Catholics and Orthodox alike. I hope that this is not the last novel he writes, and I would gladly read another of his books if it's the same quality as this one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews