I don’t usually read Biblical fiction, but when I had the option to choose a book about a woman thief living in the first century AD, I was intrigued. The Thief of Corinth was written by Tessa Afshar, a seminarian from Yale who grew up in the middle east. I believe this background truly brings the story to life. 

Ariadne was a natural athlete, not the woman of culture her mother wanted her to be. So she ran away from Athens to rejoin her father in Corinth, the home of her birth. This began an adventure full of great success, horrible failure, and unexpected danger. 

The story itself takes place over several years, following Ariadne as she trains, competes, and then watches her life unravel before a series of poor choices. One by one she loses those who are most close to her. Then, when a Jew named Paul enters her life, she makes a decision that affects her entire family.

What I liked best about The Thief of Corinth was the pacing of the story. It was the type of story you could sink into. Instead of having a Biblical Fiction feel to it, it felt more like reading a historical novel set in the early AD time period. People known from the Bible or historical documents of that time made appearances. And the theological messages were generally tampered, blended, and contested.

The Thief of Corinth may not be for all readers, but if you are a fan of Biblical Fiction, give it a read. You may like it as much as I did.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”