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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
So good! At first, it can seem a bit heavy and dense, with big long paragraphs and a whole onslaught of Roman names and characters, but it doesn’t take long to get into it. I loved the perspective of Tiro, Cicero’s slave and personal secretary, giving an insight into these big, famous historical figures and events. His voice is so warm and charming, often self-deprecating, but never quite overshadowed by Cicero. Of course, Cicero is the main focus but Richard Harris doesn’t abandon his POV narrator to him, and creates this wonderful dynamic between them.
I knew the general trajectory of the events, but the individual elements were pretty new to me. Reading the background of them, and seeing them with real emotions and dialogue, really brought them to life, aside from just reading them in history works. Some of the court cases were really interesting. It would have been so easy, and simplistic, to play them as Cicero (voice of the people) vs. the oppressors, but Harris doesn’t do this, and so avoids these more anachronistic themes. Instead, he blends in so many big details and also minutiae of the Roman Republic, and formulates these intricate and evocative worlds. There were parts I wanted more detail of (Pompey and the pirates!) but that would have been an entirely new tale altogether. The focus is mainly on Rome, and the weaving and conniving politics involved there, which is endlessly fascinating. Of course, I’m biased as a history/classical student haha.
It was an impressive feat to not make this law-heavy story too heavy and boring, but Harris really manages it. A couple of Cicero’s speeches, and especially the finale, gave me chills. I found it relatively easy to get into, but I do think it is more geared to readers who enjoy this period, and more intensive historical fiction too. Overall, really interesting!
I knew the general trajectory of the events, but the individual elements were pretty new to me. Reading the background of them, and seeing them with real emotions and dialogue, really brought them to life, aside from just reading them in history works. Some of the court cases were really interesting. It would have been so easy, and simplistic, to play them as Cicero (voice of the people) vs. the oppressors, but Harris doesn’t do this, and so avoids these more anachronistic themes. Instead, he blends in so many big details and also minutiae of the Roman Republic, and formulates these intricate and evocative worlds. There were parts I wanted more detail of (Pompey and the pirates!) but that would have been an entirely new tale altogether. The focus is mainly on Rome, and the weaving and conniving politics involved there, which is endlessly fascinating. Of course, I’m biased as a history/classical student haha.
It was an impressive feat to not make this law-heavy story too heavy and boring, but Harris really manages it. A couple of Cicero’s speeches, and especially the finale, gave me chills. I found it relatively easy to get into, but I do think it is more geared to readers who enjoy this period, and more intensive historical fiction too. Overall, really interesting!
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not my most favorite historical novel, but very attractive nonetheless, and I learned tons. The most interesting fact for me was that, in Rome, epileptics were requested to leave the voting area, as even one epileptic fit would render the election void.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesante a ratos, pesado en otros, no me ha dejado con ganas de continuar ahora con el siguiente tomo de la trilogía. Buena aproximación a la figura de Ciceron. 3,5 estrellas
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
A straightforward historical fiction recounting the political trajectory of Cicero, told by his slave and personal secretary Tiro.
The direct and unencumbered style of this book is a great introduction to anyone interested in Roman history. Although it is fiction, the author is careful in embedding accurate historical events into the tale of what it costs to become a successful political figure. “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”. Nothing has changed over the centuries.
The direct and unencumbered style of this book is a great introduction to anyone interested in Roman history. Although it is fiction, the author is careful in embedding accurate historical events into the tale of what it costs to become a successful political figure. “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”. Nothing has changed over the centuries.