Hypatia: In Her Own Words
A historical thriller with high stakes, deadly consequences and secret knowledge, this story is presented as the long-lost autobiography of famous philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria, who lived in late 4th– and early 5th-century Egypt. It is structured as written on five scrolls, each one presenting a different aspect of Hypatia’s life, from her youthful exploits with her sister and father to her unusual, and oftentimes controversial, teachings and finally, her gruesome death at the hands of a Christian mob, which led to her legendary martyr status.
In her own words, Hypatia corrects misconceptions that have grown up around her and sheds light on a personal life that history could not capture. One of the most interesting things about this book is that it delves into lesser discussed aspects of Hypatia’s life, including her close relationship with her sister, her pagan faith, and her race and sexuality. Presenting her as bisexual is particularly controversial because she is known for her virginity (or at least not being married). Some of the story choices strain credulity and the worldbuilding would benefit from more showing and less telling, but overall, this is an imaginative retelling of a woman we know so little about.
