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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've been on a bit of a Greek and Roman kick, reading about Lucretius' "On the Nature of Things" and finishing "The Odyssey."
Pompeii is a historical thriller which is definitely inspired by the movie "Chinatown" but really it's set during the time of the "manifestation" (aka eruption) of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii.
There's a bit of a "main character escapes death" mentality to the entire book, and he seems to make remarkable speed arriving at each town just when there's something important to do. But I guess that's what makes it a thriller.
There are a couple of bad guys (one puny, one big) and then there's the big bad: the eruption which ticks down to destroy Pompeii.
The famous Roman historian/scientist/admiral Pilny the Elder makes an entertaining appearance and I know quite a lot about man-made aquifers, which might be Rome's greatest achievement.
Pompeii is a historical thriller which is definitely inspired by the movie "Chinatown" but really it's set during the time of the "manifestation" (aka eruption) of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii.
There's a bit of a "main character escapes death" mentality to the entire book, and he seems to make remarkable speed arriving at each town just when there's something important to do. But I guess that's what makes it a thriller.
There are a couple of bad guys (one puny, one big) and then there's the big bad: the eruption which ticks down to destroy Pompeii.
The famous Roman historian/scientist/admiral Pilny the Elder makes an entertaining appearance and I know quite a lot about man-made aquifers, which might be Rome's greatest achievement.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This should have been great. Ancient Rome, volcanic eruption, amazing engineering feats, larger than life historical figures. Even just the name 'Pompeii' evokes so much. This novel is instead a disappointment. The plot was just OK, the characters shallow and stereotypical.
Aqueduct engineer caught up in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 C.E. tending to the melodramatic at times. But compelling description of the various stages of the cataclysmic events.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Came for the volcano, stayed for the aqueduct. Well, and the volcano.
This was an interesting story, well told - the author's portrayal of a long-gone culture is detailed and fascinating without swamping the storyline. I suppose it was inevitable that the story includes the hackneyed noble-young-hero-rescues-the-beautiful-young-damsel-in-distress subplot, complete with cardboard villains; if that had been left out, or been more nuanced, I'd definitely have given this one five stars.
everyone raves about pompeii but it just wasn't for me - RH's ww1 and ww2 books are way better
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes