Household Gods (novel)
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fantasy, time travel | |
| Published | 1999 (Tor Books) |
|---|---|
| Media type | |
Household Gods is a 1999 science fiction time-travel novel written by Harry Turtledove and Judith Tarr.
Plot summary
The story focuses on Nicole Gunther-Perrin, a young lawyer in late 20th-century
In general, she finds out the hard way that life in the past was not quite what she thought it would be: slavery is taken for granted, and there are no women's rights, no effective medicine or clean medical practices, little entertainment, and no tampons. Over the course of six months, she is forced to revise many of her long-held modern prejudices, including those against alcohol and corporal punishment.
She survives epidemic disease (the Antonine Plague) and a Germanic invasion that is part of the Marcomannic Wars. She finds that early Christianity was uncomfortably zealous and apocalyptic. Having managed to avoid rape during the occupation of the city by Germanic "barbarians", she experiences a brutal rape by one of the Roman soldiers who came to liberate the city. Afterwards, she discusses the role of government and its duties to abused citizens with Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who headed personally the Roman military force arriving at Carnuntum.
Eventually, Liber and Libera fulfill her desire to return home. She wakes from a six-day 'coma' to discover that she can improve both her working and family life. Not only have her hard-won skills given her more empathy and self-confidence, but also she now has greater appreciation for the life that modern conveniences allow. With her new perspective, she can more easily and successfully deal with the stress and difficulties of her existence.