The Sheen on the Silk

by Anne Perry

Arriving in Constantinople in 1273, Anna Zarides vows to prove the innocence of her twin brother, Justinian, who has been exiled to the desert for conspiring to kill a nobleman. Disguising herself as a eunuch named Anastasius, and offering services as a Doctor, Anna moves freely about in society.

The story takes place at the time that the Roman Catholic Church is trying to force the Orthodox Church in Turkey to join the RC's as one church, under threat of another crusade if they don't comply.

The book describes the intrigues within the church, numerous popes, Venetian and Roman officials who are sent to Istanbul to try to convice the Emperor or guage the level of opposition to the Catholic Church.  While the story had several story lines and numerous characters (perhaps too many characters), it was a fascinating story.  Most of the characters are very self-centered and willing to do whatever they have to to get what they want, including murder.   One character murders a man she loves for a crime against the church that his family committed 100 years previously.  The main character Anna, is one of the only people who seems willing to treat everyone with respect, even if it hinders her goal of freeing her brother and even threatens her life.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying the life and scenery in the various cities, Istanbul, Venic, and Sicily.  Interestingly, two characters, one from Rome and one from Venice, seem to be sympathetic to the Turks and their faith and culture.

There is irony in the story in that, while the Turks want to preseve their independence and seem to do this in this book the threat of Islamic invasion is mentioned and eventually they will be invaded and subjugated once again.

This was a very enjoying read, having been to Turkey I could "see" some of the locations she mentioned in the book.  Now I want to do a bit more research about the history of Istanbul and Turkey.  Constanine brought Christianity to  Constantinople (Istanbul), but how/when did the orthodox faith spilt from the Roman rite? When did Islam take over in Turkey?