Bread of Angels

In the town of Thyatira, Lydia and her father manufacture the purple cloth prized by wealthy Romans. When her father dies, she continues the business alone, but in the ancient Roman world a single woman with no family to protect her is vulnerable. A chance meeting in Philippi with the Apostle Paul changes Lydia's life when she converts to Christianity. Will the Gospel preached by Paul as well as Lydia's faith allow her to survive the heartbreak of all that life has taken from her? Afshar (Land of Silence) retells the New Testament (Acts 16:15) story of the first European convert to Christianity. With sublime writing and solid research, she captures the distinctive experience of living at a time when Christianity was in its fledgling stages. Ashfar is much more sympathetic than other authors in her depiction of St. Paul, characterizing him as a gentle leader who respects women.