Simple but heartfelt story. I read this novella in a matter of hours. 4th Century B.C.--the city of Poseidonia [the Roman Paestum] has been defeated by Lucania and her people become slaves. They are not even permitted to speak their native Greek. An old couple wishes to die together. With the aid of the priestess of Hera, Harmonia, and her brother, they are persuaded to escape that horribly cruel city, on the one day a year Hera worshippers are permitted outside the city to perform religious rites. Will they pass through "the gate to the sea" to freedom successfully?

Characters are sympathetic and we root for them against their masters. We see Bryher's trademark power of description. The photos of the ruins of Paestum are lovely. ( )