Imprint
- Hodder & Stoughton
Historical fiction, Christianity, Biblical studies & exegesis, Christian theology, Theology, Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts
The follow-up to Paula Gooder's first warmly received foray into historical fiction, Phoebe, opening up Paul's theology as never before
Winner - CRT Christian Book of the Year, 2023
The New Testament tells us very little about Lydia, a seller of purple cloth who was living in Philippi when she met the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey. And yet she is considered the first recorded convert to Christianity in Europe.
In her second work of fiction, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Lydia's story - who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith - and in doing so opens up Paul's letter to the Philippians, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul's thinking, and the faith of the early church.
Written in the gripping style of Gerd Theissen's The Shadow of the Galilean, and similarly rigorously researched, this is a book for everyone and anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul's theology - from one of the UK's foremost New Testament scholars.
More books by Paula Gooder
Praise for Lydia
-
Gooder has a rare gift for translating scholarship into page-turning storytelling ... This book positively crackles with hope, faith, and love. - The Church Times
-
- Rowan Williams, on PHOEBE
-
Vivid and sympathetic ... very few people are as expert as Paula Gooder in communicating biblical scholarship clearly and creatively.
-
[Lydia] is the perfect mix: a winsome story, rigorous and illuminating scholarship, with spiritual insight and depth. It had me thinking, crying, and rejoicing.
Find a book you’ll love, get our Word Up newsletter
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
