
Alvira: The Heroine of Vesuvius
by - Rev. A. J. O'Reilly, D.D.
Introduction
The Penitent Saints
Contents
Chapter I. - Paris One Hundred and Fifty Years Ago.
Chapter II. - The Usurer.
Chapter III. - A Mixed Marriage.
Chapter IV. - A Youth Trained in the Way He Should Walk.
Chapter V. - Our Heroines.
A daring tale unfolds around a young woman who, in defiance of every convention, adopts a male disguise and takes a shocking step that thrusts her into the brutal world of war. As she rises through the ranks of the army, the narrative paints vivid scenes of battlefield hardship while probing the inner turmoil of a soul burdened by guilt. Through her relentless struggle, the story invites listeners to consider how remorse and courage can intertwine.
Beyond the clash of swords, the work offers a reflective meditation on repentance, the dangers of secret vices, and the possibility of redemption even for those who have strayed far from virtue. Its historical backdrop serves as a cautionary canvas, showing how personal failings can shape, but not seal, a life’s ultimate destiny. Listeners will find a compelling blend of drama and moral insight that resonates with timeless questions of conscience and hope.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (201K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Brett Fishburne. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2000-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A little-known 19th-century writer and clergyman, he is remembered for vivid Catholic historical fiction and devotional storytelling set against the drama of ancient Rome and Italy. His books mix religious history, martyr tales, and page-turning narrative energy.
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