The Purple Mantle: In the Reign of Diocletian an Historical Novel

by Alikae Kaphetzopoulou, Efrosyni Robinson Zisimou, Aliki Kafetzopoulou, et al.

Book Overview

Set in the Roman Empire during the reign of the notorious persecutor of Christians, Emperor Diocletian, The Purple Mantle is a moving story of faith and heroism amidst a society rife with confusion... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1887904050
• ISBN13: 9781887904056
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: St. Xenia Skete Pr
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A great book for 7-13 year olds

This book is mostly advertised as a "young adult" book, but I disagree with that age group. This book would be a great read-aloud book for ages 7 to 9. I think most 10 to 12 year olds could read this book without help. Because my daughter is 7 and an advanced reader, I have to "screen" books that I give her. I found this book to be an enjoyable read even as an adult. My daughter loved the book and finished without help in two days. I did need to discuss some things that she missed, but that's what is great about the book. If read as a read aloud or assigned reading, this book will spark great discussions about history, Christianity, good and evil, Rome and politics. If you are a home-schooler or using a classical education curriculum, then this falls right into the ancient history and early middle ages time period. I will assign this book again when my daughter is 10, and I'm sure she'll get even more out of it.

A Must Read for Young Christians

In this age of instant gratification, abundance and lack of discipline, our children need spiritual and moral guidance that will overshadow the television and PG-13 "anything goes" permissiveness that prevails today. The Purple Mantle is a refreshing, albeit historical, novel written for young adults (junior high through high school) that gives real insight into courage, determination, responsibility and spiritual conviction. It presents young people with a moral and spiritual choice lacking in the films and other media they are exposed to in this 21st Century. My granddaughters are too young to read it on their own so I am reading it to them. It is too important a book and the message is too important a message for them to have to wait for it.I am so glad it was translated from Greek or I would never have had the opportunity to read it.

Good, but definately for young adults

"The Purple Mantle" was an easy read (under 200 pages with easy vocabulary) about persecution of Christians under the reign of Emperor Diocletian. This historical novel mentions the names of many real people including St. George. However, the focus of the book is on one family, and on one particular member of that family, Helios, a gifted young athelete that has found favor with high government officials and has received a high military appointment. The twist is that while Diocletian's administration is fervently persecuting Christianity, Helios' mother converts to Chrisitianity. Not wanting to give all of the book away, the book presents the struggle between personal ambition & love for one's family. That, however, is really a minor theme when one considers that people's salvation and their lives were at stake over these issues. Although a novel, many of the events in this book really happened. I think this would especially appeal to high school & junior high school aged students. It will give them a glimpse of what the early Christians had to struggle against for their Faith. For adults, the theme is really good, but the writing is definately targeted towards younger folks, so it may be a bit simpler than some would like. However, it was a nice easy read and did prove to be quite inspiring to me.