Rating: 
Summary: Charis/Chariton
Review: 'The Beacon at Alexandria' was my introduction to author and classics scholar Gillian Bradshaw. A gender disguise novel set in 371 A.D., the twilight of the Roman Empire involving young noblewoman Charis of Epheseus. Strong and intelligent Charis finds herself chafing against conventions and women's traditional roles. In order to escape an unwanted marriage she disguises herself as the eunuch Chariton and sets off to Alexandria to follow her heart's desire: e.g. to study Hippocratic medicine at the Museum (Mouseion) and become a physician. This seems an almost impossible goal, because women were not allowed to study or practice medicine.Only Jewish Philon is willing to take Chariton as a student. Her disguise lends her freedom but also causes a lot of problems. Eventually Chariton's true identity and sex are revealed and we see her ending up as an army doctor. A very well written gender disguise novel which really delivers, in the first place because of its strong and engaging heroine, who realizes her impossible dream. The author as a classics sholar knows her subject matter intimately and I really enjoyed Charis's studies and practice of medicine in Alexandria. As a character Charis is fully three-dimensional: strong, perceptive and intelligent. And her dedication to and enthusiasm for medicine are evident from the very beginning. Further her growing love for the Goth Athanaric is exquisitely described and developed. I cannot but recommend this novel very highly!
Rating:
Summary: Charis/Chariton
Review: 'The Beacon at Alexandria' was my introduction to author and classics scholar Gillian Bradshaw. A gender disguise novel set in 371 A.D., the twilight of the Roman Empire involving young noblewoman Charis of Epheseus. Strong and intelligent Charis finds herself chafing against conventions and women's traditional roles. In order to escape an unwanted marriage she disguises herself as the eunuch Chariton and sets off to Alexandria to follow her heart's desire: e.g. to study Hippocratic medicine at the Museum (Mouseion) and become a physician. This seems an almost impossible goal, because women were not allowed to study or practice medicine. Only Jewish Philon is willing to take Chariton as a student. Her disguise lends her freedom but also causes a lot of problems. Eventually Chariton's true identity and sex are revealed and we see her ending up as an army doctor. A very well written gender disguise novel which really delivers, in the first place because of its strong and engaging heroine, who realizes her impossible dream. The author as a classics sholar knows her subject matter intimately and I really enjoyed Charis's studies and practice of medicine in Alexandria. As a character Charis is fully three-dimensional: strong, perceptive and intelligent. And her dedication to and enthusiasm for medicine are evident from the very beginning. Further her growing love for the Goth Athanaric is exquisitely described and developed. I cannot but recommend this novel very highly!
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: As a previous reviewer said, this was fun to read, but maybe because I read Noah Gordon's 'The Physician' just before, I did not feel this painted a Rembrandt-caliber picture. This was more Norman Rockwell-caliber, that is, fun and entertaining but not brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!!!
Review: Every once in a while one finds an author who reaches out and grabs the reader within the first pages of the book. This is a fabulous read......colorful, detailed, rich.....a book for young and old, male and female. I would love to find a hardcover for my permanent library.
Rating:
Summary: "I'm not an actual doctor ..."
Review: Historical fiction and gender bending go hand-in-hand. It can almost seem like a hoary cliche, but this is an exceptional play on the usual idea. In this novel, Gillian Bradshaw's protagonist dons the garb of a eunuch with dual hopes. An impending marriage to a loutish Roman governor prompts Charis to take the alternate path in life that will allow her to pursue her dreams of healing. No historical novel is any good unless it is delivering all sorts of period detail. Bradshaw wraps Charis' tale in fine paper, depicting early Hippocratic techniques, fourth-century political and religious struggles, and life on the Roman frontier. Slavery gets off with a light slap, but attitudes towards it are probably portrayed accurately. Charis is a great creation. In fulfilling her dreams of healing for a living, she endangers her hopes for, ahem, true love. She can be a little saintly, but she makes mistakes and suffers the consequences, putting her career and romantic pangs in jeopardy. She makes a great narrator, and you'll wish your own doctor had her sense and compassion.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Female Character
Review: I am not a general fan of Roman historical settings, but I really enjoyed this book. The historical detail was fascinating, as well as the medical story, and the main character was strong and engaging without losing her feminine self in her deception. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Beacon at Alexandria
Review: I first read this book in 1988 when I was 11 years old. At that time I thought it was the best book I had ever read. It is a fantastic story with lots of good historical detail.
Whilst an enjoyable read for all age groups I suspect it may be more suitable for older children and teenagers than adults. I eventually lost my copy of this book and as it went out of print I had to borrow a copy from my local library pretend to lose it and pay the resulting fine. I recently rediscovered the book at my father's house and am planning to reread it soon. What amazes me is that reading through the reviews some one else had exactly the same experience as me and also resorted to this tatic with the library. Glad to see it back in print.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books--Ever!!
Review: I found this book on a dusty library shelf. I do not think anyone--EVER--had checked it out until I came upon it. What a wonderful book. This book has a strong female character who wishes to be a physician in Alexandria. However, during this time period, women couldn't do this, so she impersonates a man. The story includes a bit of romance and intrigue, and kept me hooked until the end. You will not regret purchasing this book, it continues to be one of my favorites, and I find myself reading it over again every year.
Rating:
Summary: fascinating historical account of a woman
Review: In the late Fourth Century AD, young Charis dreams of becoming a doctor, a vocation forbidden to her because she is a woman. She escapes to Alexandria, the city of learning, where she poses as a eunuch, thus avoiding all disabilities available to women in those years, and serves as a doctor for a Roman legion serving on the frontier. She subsists in this way until events change her destiny and allow her dreams to become reality. A fascinating accurate read for anyone attracted by historical novels.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating historical setting and a great story
Review: Marvelously atmospheric, this Roman adventure is replete with medical details and eating habits as well as political intrigue, danger and romance.
In 371 A.D. young Charis catches the eye of a despotic, repugnant and powerful official. To avoid a forced marriage, she disguises herself as a eunuch and leaves Ephesus for Alexandria, where she pursues the passion denied to her as a woman - medicine.
Charis' hard-won apprenticeship to a dedicated Jewish doctor who practices among the poor provides ample opportunity to describe the squalor and wealth of the city, its prejudices and divisions and its ambitious medicine.
Drawn through no fault of her own into the wrangling of early Christians, Charis is forced once again to flee and accepts a position heading up the hospital in a remote army outpost in Thrace where she triumphs over superstition and charges of witchcraft only to be captured by Goths and kept prisoner - her gender revealed.
Bradshaw, a classics scholar, is also a compelling storyteller. Historical detail wells up organically through the action without ever seeming forced or artificial. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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