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Review title: Not a very appealing character or story.
Product review: Setting aside the fact that Justinian was not a good person to begin with, this story makes it impossible to root for him EVER -- in fact, I spent most of the book wishing he'd be done away with sooner! Another disappointing and distracting plot device was the asides by Myakes -- to have a character supposedly "discuss" Justinian's autobiography wouldn't be bad if the other character to whom he's supposedly speaking is actually represented in writing. It's a device that simply doesn't play well -- this is a novel, not a play where characters are allowed to have asides to move the plot along. Perhaps the author didn't feel up to writing about the character of Brother Elpidios -- which is probably a shame since none of the other characters were even remotely likeable.Overall, this book was disappointing. It lacked any sort of creative spark whatsoever -- if you have an interest in Justinian, buy a historical work.
