‘The Lost Wisdom Of The Magi’ by Susie Helme is a sweeping historical fiction novel that has been painstakingly researched and it’s crystal clear. This is certainly different from my usual type of book but I am a reader that is happy to genre hop if any book catches my attention, and this one did.
We are transported back to the first century where we meet Sophia a Babylonian Jew, in fact, a Jew with a Greek name, given by her father. She is a studious girl who learns ancient languages at the royal archives of the Parthians and secretly studies the magic and learns shape-shifting on cuneiform tablets. She runs away from home to avoid an arranged marriage joining a Nabataean incense caravan, studies with the Essenes on the Dead Sea and joins with the militants of Qumran. As the Zealots battle to defend revolutionary Jerusalem against Titus, she falls in love with a Greek freedman, Athanasios, a comrade in arms. Jews and Christians briefly unite with Samaritans and the People of the Land. But messiahs can prove false.
A story I thought was written with passion and clarity that seems to put you at the very heart of the people. We see how they live from the clothes they wore to how they treated each other. Susie Helme’s world-building is exceptional, the smallest details matter and she understands that. I have never been to the Middle East as we call it now, but I could put myself there so easily with Sophia. The character building was great too. Such well developed characters that I loved getting to know and there were a few unforgettable and unique colourful characters in this story.
I have to say that through all of Sophia’s travels I was really happy when she found romance, I felt she deserved it. Doesn’t everybody deserve some love in their life?
A story that covers mythology, mysticism, folklore and we learn of the ancient Jewish ways and rules. I was so wrapped up in this amazing book that although there is a fair few pages, I was through it in days, for me that’s the sign of a great book, I didn’t want to leave that world though.
A very captivating, unique and really interesting book that very definitely taught me a lot. I don’t know anything about the first century and now I at least know a little!
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and The Conrad Press for the gifted copy of this unique book.
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 