About this book:

"Ashes over Pompeii: The Potter's Son" chronicles the coming-of-age of Quintus, a young potter's apprentice in ancient Pompeii, under the tutelage of his skilled but gruff father, Lucius. The narrative immerses the reader in the vibrant daily life of the city, detailing the intricate craft of pottery from sourcing Sarno clay and wedging it to throwing vessels on the wheel and the high-stakes process of firing them in a kiln. Quintus navigates the complex social and economic fabric of Pompeii, dealing with exacting patrons like the wealthy Memmii family, fulfilling orders for the Augustales' banquet, and engaging in the bustling commerce of the Forum and the Nuceria Gate. His experiences extend beyond the workshop as he learns the delicate art of fresco painting from Stephanos, witnesses a gladiatorial show in the amphitheater, and observes the vital interconnectedness of trades through visits to the baker and the fuller.

Throughout his apprenticeship, Quintus grapples with the challenges of his craft and the unpredictable nature of his environment. Minor tremors foreshadow the looming disaster, and the city's walls are filled with fleeting messages—from political endorsements to expressions of love and fear—reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of its inhabitants. Lucius, a pragmatic craftsman, teaches Quintus not only the technical skills of pottery but also the importance of honesty, integrity, and resilience in a world where a potter's reputation is as fragile as unfired clay. Quintus begins to understand that every pot made, every wall painted, and every loaf baked contributes to the very "bones" of the city.

The narrative culminates in the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius on August 24th. The initial ashfall and pumice give way to terrifying pyroclastic surges, turning Pompeii into a landscape of utter destruction. Quintus and Lucius, along with Gaius Memmius Priscus, manage a desperate escape by ship to Stabiae, watching their beloved city vanish beneath a suffocating blanket of ash and rock. In the wake of the disaster, facing the profound loss of their home, workshop, and familiar clay, they confront the challenge of starting anew.

Ultimately, the book emphasizes the enduring spirit of craftsmanship and the human need to create. Settled in Stabiae, Lucius and Quintus learn to work with the colder, more stubborn local clay, gradually rebuilding their livelihood. The red-slip jug, Quintus’s cherished creation and a symbol of his coming-of-age, becomes a tangible link to their lost past. The story concludes with the reflection that while Pompeii lies buried, its spirit, its stories, and the legacy of its makers are preserved in the very objects they created—a testament to the idea that even in the face of absolute destruction, the act of making persists, allowing what remains buried to one day be unearthed and remembered.