The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

Before he became the sainted church father of Christianity, Augustine of Hippo began a love affair with a young woman whose name has been lost to history. They were together for over thirteen years, and she bore him a son. This is her story.

She met Augustine in Carthage when she was just seventeen years old. She was the daughter of a tile-layer. He was a student and the heir to a fortune. They fell in love, despite her lower station and Augustine’s dreams of greatness. Their passion was strong, but the only position in his life that was available to her was as his concubine. When Augustine’s ambition and family compelled him to disown his relationship with the her, X was thrust into a devastating reality as she was torn from her son and sent away to her native Africa.

A reflection of what it means to love and lose, this novel paints a gripping and raw portrait of ancient culture, appealing to historical fiction fans while deftly exploring one woman’s search for identity and happiness within very limited circumstances

 Suzanne M. Wolfe grew up in Manchester, England, and read English Literature at Oxford University, where she co-founded the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society. She is Writer in Residence at Seattle Pacific University and has taught literature and creative writing there since 2000. Her new novel "The Confessions of X" (HarperCollins) is forthcoming on January 26th, 2016. Wolfe is also the author of Unveiling: A Novel (Paraclete Press, 2004) and co-founder, along with her husband, of Image, a journal of the arts and faith. Suzanne and Greg have also co-authored many books on literature and prayer and are the parents of four grown children. They live outside of Seattle. 


My Take~

Had I seen this book in a bookstore, I would've walked on by and not give it a second thought. I received this book from Thomas Nelson in an exchange for an honest review. I enjoy reading new to me authors and Suzanne is one. This book is set in a time period I was unfamiliar with, and I had no idea about this relationship. Suzanne brings this time period to life and shows the inner turmoil that X goes through. It was a very interesting book.
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