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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I picked up 'Pompeii' as I assumed it to be a classic holiday read, not expecting much by way of writing quality, but fully anticipating an engrossing story which would keep my mind occupied when travelling. I was very disappointed to find that it did not even deliver on this front.
The action built up incredibly slowly. I spent most of the time wishing for the inevitable conclusion to just happen and be done with it. Harris does not create characters with any particular depth, though I could see the effort he went to on this front with the main protagonist. He was clearly desperate to create a gritty, somewhat flawed, but ultimately morally sound man with a dark past, but ended up with nothing more than a cliche with a backstory that gets alluded to too few times to really build up any pathos.
The other characters are just as flat. Harris attempts the classic and often successful technique of switching between character perspectives during narration - a tool which I love when used effectively to create a fuller and more expansive story. But in this case I was just struck by how little the writing style changed between characters. Harris appeared to make no attempt to convey varied characterisation, and every character comes across as cliched as the protagonist.
Again, I will reiterate how surprising and disappointing it was to read a novel based on such a notoriously dramatic event and be bored for the majority of the book. The ONLY reason I kept reading was to reach the inevitable climax (while I assume that EVERYBODY knows what happened to Pompeii, I'll avoid saying just in case) and even then it fell flat for me in terms of the description. That's another thing I need to mention - Harris' ability to build up a picture of people and places is barely existent. He uses only the most basic of descriptive techniques and due to this I was often unable to visualise the setting at all.
Overall, very disappointing. I was so glad when it finally ended and I could pick up something else. Wouldn't recommend 'Pompeii' to anyone, even as a trashy holiday read. The only positive thing I can say about it is that now I can see the film and happily perve over Kit Harrington without getting distracted at how the adaptation is ruining a good book. If anything, it will be improving it.
The action built up incredibly slowly. I spent most of the time wishing for the inevitable conclusion to just happen and be done with it. Harris does not create characters with any particular depth, though I could see the effort he went to on this front with the main protagonist. He was clearly desperate to create a gritty, somewhat flawed, but ultimately morally sound man with a dark past, but ended up with nothing more than a cliche with a backstory that gets alluded to too few times to really build up any pathos.
The other characters are just as flat. Harris attempts the classic and often successful technique of switching between character perspectives during narration - a tool which I love when used effectively to create a fuller and more expansive story. But in this case I was just struck by how little the writing style changed between characters. Harris appeared to make no attempt to convey varied characterisation, and every character comes across as cliched as the protagonist.
Again, I will reiterate how surprising and disappointing it was to read a novel based on such a notoriously dramatic event and be bored for the majority of the book. The ONLY reason I kept reading was to reach the inevitable climax (while I assume that EVERYBODY knows what happened to Pompeii, I'll avoid saying just in case) and even then it fell flat for me in terms of the description. That's another thing I need to mention - Harris' ability to build up a picture of people and places is barely existent. He uses only the most basic of descriptive techniques and due to this I was often unable to visualise the setting at all.
Overall, very disappointing. I was so glad when it finally ended and I could pick up something else. Wouldn't recommend 'Pompeii' to anyone, even as a trashy holiday read. The only positive thing I can say about it is that now I can see the film and happily perve over Kit Harrington without getting distracted at how the adaptation is ruining a good book. If anything, it will be improving it.
I really enjoyed parts of this book. It was so interesting hearing about the history of a fascinating place that I enjoyed visiting last year. Life in those days was definitely much different than now, which led to some shocking passages, but I especially enjoyed the last quarter of the book and description of the actual disaster. So crazy to think about the people that actually lived during this disaster.
On re-reading, I‘ve decided to up my stars to 5, because this is a cracking thriller with a terrific plot and far too short, when usually books these days are far too long. If any of the invented characters display rather too much bravado and foolhardiness, they remain believable next to the impossibly foolhardy Pliny the Elder, whose end is well documented enough. Must travel to Pompeii (keeping a wary eye on that mountain).
This book is set on the days leading up to and the days of the eruption of Vesuvius and what it might have been like to live through it at Pompeii. It’s told from the viewpoints of the young water engineer, a teenage girl, Pliny the scientist and a corrupt millionaire who was once a slave. The level of details and vivid descriptions of the surroundings before and after the eruption is breathtaking. You feel that you are there amongst the falling pumice stone, the heat of the molten and the fires and it makes you realise how terrifying it must have been to be living through it at a time when there wasn’t much known about eruptions and the destructions they would cause. Another page turning book through a moment in history by this author. Can’t wait to go along on another time travelling ride with the next book of his.
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Starts a little slow but when it picks up it’s really good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Classism
Incredibly stressful. A fantastic read. Recommended.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated