Veranilda

"Verandiia" by George Gissing is a historical fiction that transports readers to 6th-century Italy, where the once-mighty Roman Empire faces its twilight amidst the chaos of the Gothic Wars. At the heart of the story is Flavius Anicius Maximus, a Roman senator weighed down by personal loss and failing health. His greatest desire is to reconcile with his daughter, Aurelia, who defied Roman society by marrying a Goth and adopting unconventional religious views. The story begins with Maximus anxiously awaiting the return of his nephew, Basil, who was sent on a mission to bring Aurelia home, highlighting the depth of Maximus's longing and the complex family dynamics at play. Aurelia's arrival stirs up conflicts, especially with Maximus’s sister, Petronilla, who fiercely opposes Aurelia's choices. Adding to the intrigue, Basil finds himself drawn to Veranilda, a captivating Gothic woman with noble roots, setting the stage for emotional entanglements and political clashes as the characters navigate a world on the brink of transformation.