Carlos Reads Book Club: The Cleansing

When 50,000 Roman soldiers fall in a single day at the Battle of Cannae, priests claim there can be only one reason the gods abandoned Rome: a Vestal Virgin has broken her vow of chastity. Based on a true story, this is not the enlightened Rome of myth. This is a city choking on fear, where blood flows on both the battlefield and altar, and where generals and politicians alike are desperate to appease rageful gods. Join award-winning author Victoria Alvear for a discussion of her novel, The Cleansing, a story with unnerving relevance to today’s unrelenting political and religious clashes. Space is limited and registration is required. Fee: $35 for members; $45 for nonmembers. The cost of the program includes a copy of the book. “Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and a simply riveting read from cover to cover... set in an Ancient Rome where the game of thrones is a blood sport—and there's no guarantee of fairness or success.... With the publication of The Cleansing, author Victori