Today, I’m speaking with Kathryn Bashaar, author of The Saint’s Mistress, an historical novel that brings to life the monumental struggle between love, faith and religious office. (CamCat Books, 2020).
Saints are not born. Saints are made.
Told against the fourth-century backdrop of the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity, The Saint’s Mistress breathes life into the previously untold story of Saint Augustine and his beloved mistress. Defying social norms and traditions, the love between the Roman aristocrat Aurelius Augustinus and Leona, a North African peasant, creates a rift with Aurelius’ mother Monnica, his powerful patron Urbanus, and the marital laws of the Roman Empire. When Monnica and Urbanus succeed in separating Leona from her son and securing a more suitable fiancée for Aurelius, Leona commits herself to the Church.
Feeling the ever stronger pull of the evolving Christian church, Leona and Aurelius walk separate paths in service of their faith. When many years later Leona and Aurelius, now Bishop Augustine, meet again, old passions re-ignite, perennial feuds smolder, and the fate of the Roman Empire in North Africa hangs in the balance.
Susan: Before reading The Saint’s Mistress, I knew some things about Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica. I knew that in his youth, he lived a less-than-saintly life, which led his devout mother to pray incessantly for his conversion. What I didn’t know was that prior to his conversion, Augustine had a mistress (with whom he had a child). When you learned of this love affair, did you immediately know that you had to write this story?
Kathryn: Yes! I was fascinated by her and tried to find out more about her. But, other than Augustine’s brief mention of her in the Confessions, history is absolutely silent. So, I decided to tell her story the way I thought it might have happened.
Susan: In his well-known autobiographical work, Confessions, Saint Augustine references but never names the woman he loved. You call her Leona. Is there any significance to that name? Why did you choose to write from the perspective of Leona and not Saint Augustine?
Kathryn: Augustine’s story has already been told. I wanted to tell a new story, her story. And I wanted her to be a strong character with a strong name, and Leona means lion in Italian.
Susan: The Saint’s Mistress transported me back to 4th century North Africa and Rome. You write so vividly of that era. How much research was required to bring this time and these places to life?
Kathryn: Tons! I read the Confessions twice, as well as three biographies of Augustine. I also read books describing the rise of Christianity, work life in the late Roman period, and some brief general histories of the era.
Susan: Leona suffers greatly in her life. But she also loves greatly. She leans on her faith and perseveres. You have me believing this is exactly what Leona must have been like. If her name and more about her life were known, perhaps a case could be made for her sainthood. Not really a question, just a thought.
Kathryn: I think there are many unacknowledged saints, both in history and currently living, if you use the term loosely. But, more specifically, the Catholic church requires documented miracles.
Susan: Have you always been a fan of historical fiction? If so, what are some of your favorite books and authors?
Kathryn: Yes, I have always loved historical fiction. I’m very interested in history, but often find non-fiction too dry. I like a good story. So, I learn my history through quality historical fiction. I also like seeing modern life through the lens of history. So often, I’m reading an historical novel, and I’ll think, “Oh! We have the same problems now, just in a different way.” When I was in my teens, I read a lot of Anya Seton. May favorites of hers were Avalon and Katherine, and I still own copies of both. More recently, I read Philippa Gregory’s whole oeuvre – and that is a LOT of books! I don’t know how she does it. Some more recent historical titles that I’ve really loved are The Cold Millions and A Thousand Ships.
Susan: Adding these to my very long to read list!
Susan: What was the most difficult thing about writing The Saint’s Mistress? The easiest?
Kathryn: The easiest part was creating the characters. I modeled Leona somewhat on my younger self, and the young Augustine on the boys I knew in high school: brilliant and cocky, but a little naïve. Writing the book was pure pleasure. Finding a publisher was the hard part. That took longer than writing the book.
Susan: Are you planning to write another novel? If so, what is it about?
Kathryn: I’m currently finishing a novel about Jane Grey Swisshelm, a nineteenth century abolitionist and journalist here in Pittsburgh. And I’m doing research for a novel about Jo Van Gogh, Vincent Van Gogh’s sister-in-law, who made him famous after his death.
Susan: Both sound fantastic. I’m looking forward to these stories!
Susan: If you weren’t an author, what would you be?
Kathryn: Well, before retirement, I had a long career in information management, which I thoroughly enjoyed, although it was very stressful. Right now, if I weren’t writing I’d probably be doing volunteer work related to literacy. We have a wonderful library system here in Pittsburgh that provides plenty of opportunity, so I’d probably be reading to small children or teaching English as a second language.
Susan: Where can readers find you online?
Kathryn: My website is http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/ I’m also on Facebook and I’m a prolific reviewer on Goodreads.
Susan: Where can people buy The Saint’s Mistress?
Kathryn: Hard or soft cover are available at CamCat Books. Hard cover, soft cover, e-book and audio book are available on Amazon.
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