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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Enjoyed this - a predictable plot, in much the same way as the film 'Titanic' has a predictable plot (I mean, we all know Vesuvius is gonna blow at some point, right?), but it was well written, well researched and nicely characterised. Not the deepest or most thought-provoking of novels, but certainly a page-turner.
I heard that a movie was coming out called Pompeii. I've always loved Pompeii so I was really excited, and in the comments for the trailer, someone mentioned this book (which the movie is not based off of though there was talk years earlier of a movie which never happened).
So that's how I came to read this book. I really enjoyed it. The beginning is a little slow and I learned more than I ever though I would about aqueducts which I'm not upset about. Actually for all the research the author put into it, it would be a great school book. Learn a lot about a civilization through a story and characters you care about.
In the middle of reading the book, I watched a British documentary about how the bodies truly came to be, and on top of that, I've visited Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum before so I think that really helped my imagination bring the story to life in the correct and detailed settings (and also makes me a little biased on my opinions for all things Pompeii).
I think if you're interested in Pompeii no doubt you'll like this book, but if you're not, the beginning might come across a little boring. On top of that, I had trouble keeping track of who was who because there were so many minor characters, many of them having similar names to each other.
So that's how I came to read this book. I really enjoyed it. The beginning is a little slow and I learned more than I ever though I would about aqueducts which I'm not upset about. Actually for all the research the author put into it, it would be a great school book. Learn a lot about a civilization through a story and characters you care about.
In the middle of reading the book, I watched a British documentary about how the bodies truly came to be, and on top of that, I've visited Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum before so I think that really helped my imagination bring the story to life in the correct and detailed settings (and also makes me a little biased on my opinions for all things Pompeii).
I think if you're interested in Pompeii no doubt you'll like this book, but if you're not, the beginning might come across a little boring. On top of that, I had trouble keeping track of who was who because there were so many minor characters, many of them having similar names to each other.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
adventurous
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pompeii by Robert Harris 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this! I learned a lot my public school education glazed over, and I'm so glad I read this!
I really liked the characters and while the intro is a little slow and it's baffling why we are led around by this main character it really gives you an on the ground look at events and how they occurred. It also adds a compelling side plot to how things got swept under the rug, and events escalated and a little romance.
I really enjoyed when it picked up and really became a disaster retelling, getting the blow by blow and what our main character goes through. So good!
If you had any interest in Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius as a kid I highly recommend this one.
I loved this! I learned a lot my public school education glazed over, and I'm so glad I read this!
I really liked the characters and while the intro is a little slow and it's baffling why we are led around by this main character it really gives you an on the ground look at events and how they occurred. It also adds a compelling side plot to how things got swept under the rug, and events escalated and a little romance.
I really enjoyed when it picked up and really became a disaster retelling, getting the blow by blow and what our main character goes through. So good!
If you had any interest in Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius as a kid I highly recommend this one.
tore through this one after visiting pompeii last week.
i thought that it was funny that the prophecy from the oracle actually turned out to be completely true, just not in the way anyone could have expected at the time.
a tad unrealistic perhaps?? idk it seemed far fetched to me.
i thought that it was funny that the prophecy from the oracle actually turned out to be completely true, just not in the way anyone could have expected at the time.
a tad unrealistic perhaps?? idk it seemed far fetched to me.
I’m going to Pompeii in 3 weeks so thought I’d get in the mood by reading this book.
It’s an interesting read but not the best. I felt that it could have been more developed.
Although the author has clearly done a it of research, there was a lot that was just totally unbelievable.
It also felt like the majority of the book was build up, yet the eruption itself was extremely rushed. I would have preferred the weighting to be more on the eruption.
A good introduction, but it’s not something I’ll be revisiting in the future.
It’s an interesting read but not the best. I felt that it could have been more developed.
Although the author has clearly done a it of research, there was a lot that was just totally unbelievable.
It also felt like the majority of the book was build up, yet the eruption itself was extremely rushed. I would have preferred the weighting to be more on the eruption.
A good introduction, but it’s not something I’ll be revisiting in the future.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is an enthralling and captivating account of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is descriptive and detailed without becoming bogged down in the science of what happened. The human element plays a key role in the story making it more real and intense. The characters are incredibly written and believable and the descriptions of Pompeii before the eruption are vivid and credible and obviously well researched. A fantastic novel.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well imagined and exciting recreation of Roman life amid Vesuvius's eruption in 79AD.