Book Review

Written by Susan McDuffie
Published by the Historical Novel Society

Italy, 60 BCE: A baby girl is left exposed to the elements after her mother dies giving the child life. The infant is found and adopted by a loving couple from Pompeii, who name their new daughter Rufilla. Due to her difficult birth, the baby develops seizures but grows and thrives despite this malady. During a visit to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asclepius, a priest predicts that Rufilla possesses unusual powers, including the gift of prophecy. Even as a young child, Rufilla feels intuitive sympathy with the myth of Ariadne and the labyrinth.