This Dark Heart
Published on 28. October 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-915122-73-5 (ISBN)
Description
The last years of King Herod the Great's reign are turbulent, the public splendour of his many architectural projects belying the rotten core of his private life. His extended family is riven with jealousy, suspicion and hatred. Into this dangerous environment Simon, the only son of one of King Herod's favoured bodyguards, who cherishes an ambition to become an architect instead of following in his father's footsteps, is inexorably drawn.
Scholars and others may disagree about whether the Massacre of the Innocents actually happened, but it is nevertheless a story that has resounded down the ages and been depicted in countless artistic media.
The flight of Mary and Joseph and their baby son into Egypt to escape the slaughter is also a familiar part of the Christmas story. But who warned them, and why? What risks were taken, and what sacrifices made by those who did?
Every story has many and often apparently remote beginnings. Perhaps This Dark Heart can suggest one such.
Scholars and others may disagree about whether the Massacre of the Innocents actually happened, but it is nevertheless a story that has resounded down the ages and been depicted in countless artistic media.
The flight of Mary and Joseph and their baby son into Egypt to escape the slaughter is also a familiar part of the Christmas story. But who warned them, and why? What risks were taken, and what sacrifices made by those who did?
Every story has many and often apparently remote beginnings. Perhaps This Dark Heart can suggest one such.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Kibworth
United Kingdom
Target group
Young adult
Reading Age: From 13 to 18 years, Interest Age: From 13 to 18 years
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-915122-73-5 (9781915122735)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Christa Laird is intrigued by unusual perspectives on well-known stories or historically significant events which have been portrayed repeatedly through the generations. She likes to imagine the lives of unnamed individuals caught up in these events and to help them emerge from the shadows. Christa lives in Oxford with her husband, as do her two sons, their wives and her five grandchildren. This Dark Heart is her fifth novel.