The book “The More Things Change” by Maeve Maddox is a historical novel set in the early 5th century CE in the divided Roman Empire. This review is for an electronic copy of the book, published by Hypatia Press.
The action takes place in Milan in the first decades of the fifth century, a time of decline of the Roman Empire, when the empire was tottering under the pressure of internal weaknesses and external threats. The city plays an important role as a backdrop for events, both social and political, and the author describes in detail its structure, atmosphere, and the situation of the Jewish community.
References to well-known historical events, such as the siege of Rome by the Visigoths under Alaric in 410 and the withdrawal of the imperial court from Milan to Ravenna, make the setting of the novel credible and engaging.
The main characters are Shifra and Benjamin, a Jewish couple trying to live a peaceful life in a world of deepening religious intolerance. As the plot develops, her husband, Benjamin, a respected Jewish doctor in Milan, is brutally murdered, which becomes a key turning point in the novel. From that moment on, Shifra becomes a widow who must face not only personal mourning, but also the pressure of the authorities, including the Bishop of Milan – trying to force her to convert to Christianity in exchange for keeping her husband’s inheritance.
The theme of widowhood and the resulting social, religious and legal consequences is one of the main themes of the book. The presentation of Shifra as a strong woman, faithful to her beliefs, makes her the central figure of this deeply moving story.
In the novel, we also meet other characters such as Dacia, a servant, and Varda, a strong woman from the local community. It is through the fates of these characters that the author shows how universal and timeless are values such as loyalty to one’s own beliefs, dignity and solidarity in the face of systemic violence. Although the author avoids moralising, it is difficult not to notice contemporary references to the problems of minorities, forced assimilation or the strength of the female community.
The book is over 300 pages long. However, I missed the author’s afterword and a few words from the author about her motivation to write the novel.
To sum up, “The More Things Change” is a novel that, on the one hand, takes us to the world of ancient Rome, and on the other, encourages reflection on the mechanisms of power, coercion and resistance. It was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it.
