The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

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The Confessions of X – A Novel by Suzanne M. Wolfe is a historical fiction. This book is about the concubine of Augustine. Apparently, Augustine did not reveal her name to protect her dignity. Therefore, the author mentions her as X. Suzanne has written the book as if, X is narrating her story in her own words.

X belongs to a poor family. Her mother died while giving her birth. She lives with her father, who loves her deeply. He is an expert mosaic maker. He travels frequently in search of work. X is fascinated with her father’s work; she travels with him and accompanies him to his workplace. She watches him creating masterpieces with her innocent and curious eyes. He has one sinful habit, though; he drinks alcohol profusely. One day, she meets a boy named Nebridius in the house, where her father is working. Their first meeting is really interesting and funny. Anyway, they become close friends; he calls her Naiad and she begins calling him Nereus. She enjoys his company, but in his company, she realizes the difference between their status. Soon, his father takes her to live with his married sister. She does not have a kid of her own and has a husband, who has lustful eyes and is a very immoral person. After her father’s sudden disappearance, her aunt takes it upon herself to teach discipline to Naiad. In the church of Carthage, Naiad meets a boy named Augustine, who is a friend of Nebridius. Augustine and Naiad become very close. One day Augustine proposes to Naiad – a very strange proposal, one might say –

Believe me when I say, I would marry you if I could, but I am not free to do so; my family would never permit it, not even if we had a child. Do you understand? I can offer nothing but myself. I offer you my love and my fidelity, but, under the law, you can only ever be my concubine.

While reading this part, I did not trust him. His proposal had red flags all over it and I did not want Naiad to suffer. I was too drawn to her character and felt familiar to her. However, as the story progressed, Naiad and Augustine’s love found a place in my heart. I began loving them as if I knew them. However, the shadow of helplessness in Augustine’s proposal always kept me uncertain about the future of Naiad. When the chapter describing the unfortunate day of their separation came, I could not hold my tears. I cannot reveal what happened, but I advise you that you may want to keep a box of tissues nearby.

Suzanne’s writing style is full of simile and metaphors. She narrates X’s story in an elegant, descriptive, emotional, and spellbinding style. She leaves traces of humor, here and there. The dialogues are written to a perfection; as a reader, I felt as if everything was happening in front of my eyes.

This book will appeal to the readers, who like a touch of fiction to the historical facts. This book comprises of intense emotions, love between a man and a woman, a daughter’s craving for her lost father, friendship, sacrifice beyond expectations, a mother’s devotion to her child, the life of slaves and a lot of facts about Rome. I am glad that I came across this book; however, as I said, I wish I was reading it with a box of tissues.