From Publishers Weekly
Robinson begins her episodic debut novel with the birth of the dwarf, Dominic, in Gaul in A.D. 375. As Dominic travels through the provinces to Rome, Constantinople and the borders of the Roman empire, the daily lives of Gauls, Greeks, Goths, pagans, Christians, peasants and aristocrats are portrayed in detail. Orphaned as a child, Dominic is sold to the owner of an itinerant Greek circus troupe, becomes an accomplished acrobat and learns to enjoy the vagabond life. After escaping the wrath of a Roman senator, he is betrayed and sold to an Arab trader who in turn sells him to an enlightened master in Constantinople. The death of this master leads into a drawn-out account of Dominic's subsequent torture and degradation at the hands of the bestial commander of a Roman garrison on the Rhine. Pagan, Greek, Roman and Viking myths color this lively but overlong chronicle. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
A picaresque first novel about a sharp-witted dwarf growing up in ancient Rome, Dominic is a study of contrasts: personal, emotional, geographical, religious, and philosophical. Dominic, a Christian child, is orphaned in Gaul, sold into slavery, and trained as an acrobat in a circus troupe of pagan vagabonds. The slave's changing fortunes include higher education and travels throughout the ancient world. His incredible journeys bring cruelty and unmitigated misery to this engaging dwarf, who also finally experiences the joys of friendship and caring. Thoroughly good reading, Dominic makes an unfamiliar era live. This is well recommended.- Ellen R. Cohen, Rockville, Md.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
A fourth-century A.D. young dwarf narrates his adventures-- some fairly hideous--here and there within the disintegrating Roman Empire. Dominic, the son of a poor Gallic goatherder, is raised with love and tenderness. Both parents dead (the father is killed by Roman troops), the boy is taken in by an uncle, who after two years sells him into slavery. Then through extraordinary luck Dominic is bought by the leader of a band of vagabond performers, learns their skills, is introduced to a new religion (worship of the Egyptian Isis), and becomes part of a devoted family. Off to Rome for revels--and terrible tragedy. Twice again Dominic will be sold into slavery--some experiences will net him learning, travels to exotic places, and even affection. But later he'll return to the Gallic provinces--and hell itself--in the castle of a sadistic noble. There'll be, happily, a miraculous rescue. Among the lands Dominic travels: Rome, Athens, Constantinople, Alexandria, and some lovely, scenic wild places. An earnest narration unfolds elementary characters, relentless adventures, and views of ancient urban splendors. It all moves along at a lively clip. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
A beautifully written and stunningly evocative debut novel, Dominic follows the title character's adventures through the collapse of the ancient Roman Empire, depicting a society rife with reckless abandon and chaos, a world of display and caprice. Into this milieu arrives Dominic, an orphaned dwarf child from Gaul. Left to fend for himself, his travels bring him into contact with many colorful personalities, such as a caravanof gypsies and the inmates of a dungeon. His adventures eventually land him in the company of a friend, the gigantic Danish bard Kevin Dunskaldir,who helps him defeat an evil as sinister as any force threatening the empire. Creating two unique heroes, acting against the mighty backdrop of a society in transition, Robinson successfully brings together all the elements of a literary masterpiece in this classic tale of friendship, fate and adversity. Dominic is exhilarating historical fiction, featuring characters you won'teasily forget.

Download Description
During the collapse of the Roman Empire emerge two unlikely heroes, the orphan dwarf, Dominic and his trusty giant companion, Kevin. Together they will fight the evil force threatening the empire.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A beautifully written and stunningly evocative debut novel, Dominic follows the title character's adventures through the collapse of the ancient Roman Empire, depicting a society rife with reckless abandon and chaos, a world of display and caprice.

Into this milieu arrives Dominic, an orphaned dwarf child from Gaul. Left to fend for himself, his travels bring him into contact with many lively personalities, such as a caravan of gypsies and the inmates of a dungeon. His adventures eventually land him in the company of a friend, the gigantic Danish bard Kevin Dunskaldir, who helps him to defeat an evil as sinister as any force threatening the empire.

Creating two unique heroes, acting against the mighty backdrop of a society in transition, Robinson successfully brings together all of the elements of a literary masterpiece in this classic tale of friendship, fate and adversity.

Dominic is exhilarating historical fiction, featuring characters you won't easily forget.

SYNOPSIS

A beautifully written and stunningly evocative debut novel, Dominic follows the title character's adventures through the collapse of the ancient Roman Empire.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Robinson begins her episodic debut novel with the birth of the dwarf, Dominic, in Gaul in A.D. 375. As Dominic travels through the provinces to Rome, Constantinople and the borders of the Roman empire, the daily lives of Gauls, Greeks, Goths, pagans, Christians, peasants and aristocrats are portrayed in detail. Orphaned as a child, Dominic is sold to the owner of an itinerant Greek circus troupe, becomes an accomplished acrobat and learns to enjoy the vagabond life. After escaping the wrath of a Roman senator, he is betrayed and sold to an Arab trader who in turn sells him to an enlightened master in Constantinople. The death of this master leads into a drawn-out account of Dominic's subsequent torture and degradation at the hands of the bestial commander of a Roman garrison on the Rhine. Pagan, Greek, Roman and Viking myths color this lively but overlong chronicle. (Oct.)

Library Journal