Anna of Byzantium (novel)

Anna of Byzantium  

1st edition cover
Author(s) Tracy Barrett
Country United States
Language English
Genre(s) Historical
Publisher Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication date June 1999
Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages 224 p. (hardback edition) & 224 p. (paperback edition)
ISBN ISBN 0-385-32626-2 (hardback edition) & ISBN 0-440-41536-5 (paperback edition)
OCLC Number 40218766
LC Classification PZ7.B275355 An 1999

Anna of Byzantium is a historical novel by Tracy Barrett originally published in 1999.

Plot introduction

The novel places Anna Comnena in the convent where she was exiled by her brother and Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus after her failed attempt to poison him. The story is told from Anna's point of view- looking back on previous events. Anna tells about her childhood, her family, and how her brother became the heir to the Byzantine throne. The book vividly describes the setting of the story and all the characters in it.

Plot summary

In the novel, the manuscript of the Alexiad, which Anna had worked upon in the library at Constantinople, is brought to her to continue at the convent, though in history, she didn't start writing until she arrived.