The Bible Compass

Truly accurate historical fiction set in the 9th–11th centuries is remarkably rare—especially stories rooted in the German-speaking world. Christine Schneider’s historical novels, In the Shadow of the Cathedral and her companion work, stand out for this very reason. Her research into these centuries is not only precise and thorough; it is exceptional.

So exceptional, in fact, that when the late Paul L. Maier, author of the classic historical novel Pontius Pilate, received a copy of In the Shadow of the Cathedral, he remarked that he had never read a historical novel so accurate to both the content and the time period it portrays. Praise like that from one of the most respected voices in historical fiction is exceedingly rare.

As we explore the history of historical fiction itself—reaching back to writers like Joseph Victor von Scheffel, whose 19th-century works helped define the genre—we are struck by how few modern novelists dare to write about these formative medieval centuries. That scarcity makes Christine Schneider’s novels a unique opportunity: a chance to step into a world few authors attempt to recreate, and even fewer succeed in bringing vividly to life.

We invite readers and historians alike to help us discover other authors who have written fiction set in the 9th–11th centuries, and to share who is reading those works today. At the same time, we quietly suggest this: if you are looking for an immersive, rewarding, and historically faithful reading experience—one that opens a rarely explored chapter of history—Christine Schneider’s novels offer a journey unlike almost any other in historical fiction.

In the Shadow of the Cathedral D2D

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The Bible Compass