Please join Donald Michael Platt as he tours with HF Virtual Book Tours for Bodo, The Apostate, from December 8 - January 9
Publication Date: September 29, 2014
Raven’s Wing Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
"… in the meantime, a credible report caused all ecclesiastics of the Catholic Church to lament and weep.” Prudentius of Troyes, Annales Bertiniani, anno 839
On Ascension Day May 22, 838, Bishop Bodo, chaplain, confessor, and favorite of both his kin, Emperor Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, and Empress Judith, caused the greatest scandal of the Carolingian Empire and the 9th century Roman Church.
Bodo, the novel, dramatizes the causes, motivations, and aftermath of Bodo’s astonishing cause célèbre that took place during an age of superstitions, a confused Roman Church, heterodoxies, lingering paganism, broken oaths, rebellions, and dissolution of the Carolingian Empire.
My Review
I received a free copy for my honest review.
I had a hard time putting this book down, this book was great, I haven't read a medieval book so good, in a long time, and believed me, I read a lot.
Bodo the Apostate
"Bodo The Apostate" is a story that begins in 818 A.D., during the Carolingian Empire in the region of Aquitaine.
He was the son of Count Gunzo, who died while at war, thus leaving Bodo and his elder sister Adeltrud orphan; their mother was already deceased at the time of the Count's death.
Upon the death of Count Gunzo, the children's uncle then takes them to live at court against the wishes of Bodo, who at the time was only six years old. His was an extremely intelligent and inquisitive mind, and was constantly asking his elders for explanations; his mind was restless...He enjoyed the gift of expressing himself with ease and quickly grasped anything he was taught.
After a long trip with their uncle, they finally arrive at the court of Emperor Louis the Pious and of his wife, Empress Judith of Bavaria, who also happened to be Bodo's cousin.
As soon as the children were introduced at court, the Emperor and his wife were not only astounded by Bodo's speech, but also by how inquisitive and intelligent he was. Realizing how bright Bodo was, they quickly took the decision to educate him at the court schools, under the tutelage of the best instructors available.
On the first day of school, the child is introduced to the Emperor's astrologist Priscus, who in due time becomes Bodo's best friend and mentor. As expected, the court's school suits Bodo very well, because he can ask as many questions as he wishes, while simultaneously increasing his knowledge in many subjects..
As time goes on, his knowledge acumen earns him the Emperor's trust, thus becoming his right hand and occupying high ranking positions at court.
During the IX century A.D., Aquitaine was ruled by the Roman Catholic Church, there were many superstitions, and people were questioning the church. In the meantime, as Bodo became more savvy and had greater understanding, he began developing more clarity and taking his own decisions regarding the path he wanted to choose for his life and future.
This book is very well written indeed...The details, the religions, the wars, the food, the musical instruments, all contribute to its enjoyable reading. In fact, there is a musical instrument with which I was totally unacquainted, and which I will leave to your own discovery as you read through the pages of this book. I learned about the life of Emperor Louis the Pious, who was Emperor Charlemagne's son, and about his wife, Empress Judith. I also learned about how Europe and parts of Africa were politically divided in those times.
It is for these and many other reasons that I invite you to read this wonderful book and discover what Bodo finally did with his life, and what decisions he took to ride the path he carved for himself.
About the Author
Author of four other novels, ROCAMORA, HOUSE OF ROCAMORA, A GATHERING OF VULTURES, and CLOSE TO THE SUN, Donald Michael Platt was born and raised in San Francisco. Donald graduated from Lowell High School and received his B.A. in History from the University of California at Berkeley. After two years in the Army, Donald attended graduate school at San Jose State where he won a batch of literary awards in the annual SENATOR PHELAN LITERARY CONTEST.
Donald moved to southern California to begin his professional writing career. He sold to the TV series, MR. NOVAK, ghosted for health food guru, Dan Dale Alexander, and wrote for and with diverse producers, among them as Harry Joe Brown, Sig Schlager, Albert J. Cohen, Al Ruddy plus Paul Stader Sr, Hollywood stuntman and stunt/2nd unit director. While in Hollywood, Donald taught Creative Writing and Advanced Placement European History at Fairfax High School where he was Social Studies Department Chairman.
After living in Florianópolis, Brazil, setting of his horror novel A GATHERING OF VULTURES, pub. 2007 & 2011, he moved to Florida where he wrote as a with: VITAMIN ENRICHED, pub.1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and THE COUPLE’S DISEASE, Finding a Cure for Your Lost “Love” Life, pub. 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
Currently, Donald resides in Winter Haven, Florida where he is polishing a dark novel and preparing to write a sequel to CLOSE TO THE SUN.
For more information please visit Donald Michael Platt’s website. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.
Bodo, the Apostate Blog Tour Schedule
Thank you, Princess. I and dlighted you were so pleased with Bodo, the Apostate.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, I really enjoy this great book !!! <3
DeleteSounds like something I'd enjoy.. Great review...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Deanna Stevens, I recommend this great book, you really are going to like it !!! <3
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