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inkwellimps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
At first, I wasn't sure about this book. As someone more interested in Roman history than in true crime or popular culture, I hesitated in the introduction, as the author asserts that this book is Roman history for fans of true crime. I wasn't really fond of how Southon made a point to mention several times how "dull" aspects of Rome's history beyond the scope of the book were as a funny transition. This was probably exacerbated by the audiobook performance by Sophie Ward. Her haughty performance I found funny for the first hour and then for the next two I was thinking "how on Earth am I going to get through all of this?" After that though, I was able to get used to her delivery.
The book really shines in the later half once it has your attention. Southon interprets "murder" broadly and gives details about gladiator fights that were completely new to me, amongst a plethora of other topics including murder within families and what society deemed as murder via magic. I would say the most important part of this book is how it paints a detailed picture of slavery in Roman society. I had not realized quite how widespread the practice was. It was also interesting to me how Southon paints a realistic picture of Rome by assessing the biases that determine what history was written about and what history was not. I do recommend this book despite my rocky first impressions, and I intend to read more of Southon's works. I think for a general audience the writing style is approachable and the occasional modern analogy is welcome, I may have just had a problem with the audiobook's narrator.
The book really shines in the later half once it has your attention. Southon interprets "murder" broadly and gives details about gladiator fights that were completely new to me, amongst a plethora of other topics including murder within families and what society deemed as murder via magic. I would say the most important part of this book is how it paints a detailed picture of slavery in Roman society. I had not realized quite how widespread the practice was. It was also interesting to me how Southon paints a realistic picture of Rome by assessing the biases that determine what history was written about and what history was not. I do recommend this book despite my rocky first impressions, and I intend to read more of Southon's works. I think for a general audience the writing style is approachable and the occasional modern analogy is welcome, I may have just had a problem with the audiobook's narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence, Classism, Animal cruelty, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Suicide and Child death
allie_rose's review against another edition
5.0
As the author says, focusing on murder allows us to see the contradictions of Rome (often lost in neoclassical worship of the past) and the ways they were both like and unlike us. It helps that the author has such a fantastic, sassy voice. She’s an automatic read for me from now on
sammichaan's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly interesting and informative with a sprinkle of laugh-out-loud moments. Southon does a fantastic job of showing parallels between modern society and the ancient Romans, while still thoroughly explaining the most gruesome aspects of their culture and shattering any romanticism we may have of it. Fantastic read for anyone interested in history and/or murder.
carolinate's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.75
teatimewithliam's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I've found my new favourite historian.
Emma Southon is not only an expert on all things Roman but brings the era to life with a wry dark humour that had me laughing out loud (in public places embarassingly).
I've already preordered her other books due out this year, fabulous.
Emma Southon is not only an expert on all things Roman but brings the era to life with a wry dark humour that had me laughing out loud (in public places embarassingly).
I've already preordered her other books due out this year, fabulous.
cwbaker24's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Surprisingly humorous, but also sad, and at times horrific.