Reviews

Las mujeres de César by Colleen McCullough

overwelmingodds's review against another edition

adventurous informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

pillywiggin's review against another edition

5.0

The best historical fiction treatment of the turbulent times from the life of Sulla to the ascension of Octavius. One of the best historical fiction series ever, but be prepared to read all of the books once you start, because you won't be able to put them down.

rainbow1218's review against another edition

I was excited to continue with Caesar’s journey but I cannot get past the trite dialogue. Praise for her research, I think I would rather read primary sources instead, I.e Plutarch Lives. 

rebeccatc's review against another edition

4.0

This 4th book in the Masters of Rome series covers the period from June of 68 BC to March of 58 BC. The Women of the title include Caesar's mother, Aurelia; his daughter, Julia; his mistress, Servilia, and his wives, Pompeia and Calpurnia. While Caesar's personal relationship to these women is part of the story, the focus is on how they impacted his political career and how he used them to further his success. Aurelia is his advisor; he uses Julia to form alliances, first when he betrothes her to Servilia's son Brutus, and then when he marries her to Pompey Magnus. During the course of the book, Caesar is elected Pontifex Maximus, praetor, and Consul, and forms the Triumverate with Crassus and Pompey the Great. McCullough skips over his time as propraetor of Further Spain, excluding the military victories to focus on his political battles with the conservative members of the boni, including Cato and Bibulus and to a lesser extent Cicero. As usual, the research that went into this and the attention to detail is staggering. Caesar himself is somewhat less dashing than he appeared in earlier books, and is so determined and indomitable that he begins to be a bit frightening. This was a heavy read for someone with little knowledge of ancient history but definitely worth the time.

jennyn52779's review against another edition

challenging informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

brandonstark's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

corrompido's review against another edition

3.0

This entry in the series had some slow parts for me, it was set much more just in Rome and introduced a lot of people and had a lot of politics. Those parts were a bit more hit or miss. Luckily it picked up in the second half, and things seem setup for an interesting next book in the series.

tartancrusader's review against another edition

4.0

Another excellent installment in this great series.

readlovegrow's review against another edition

5.0

I have a soft spot for Roman fiction, more specifically McCullough's meticulous Roman fiction. (Did you know she use to be a neurosurgeon, before she became a writer?) This novel may not have been as exciting as the previous books, but I still enjoyed it. I enjoy novels that give a voice to minority characters who fill in the background details that the storytellers of the time deemed unimportant.

I feel like maybe there was more "setting up" in this novel of the antagonism between the boni and Caesar. There was definitely lots of hinting and foreshadowing of the fact that Caesar would do anything to protect his dignitas and to show that there's a wildness to his anger when provoked. Also, the development of Cicero was not what I expected. I was intrigued by the author's explanation in the back that, although well thought of today, many of Cicero's contemporaries didn't really like him. I also enjoyed reading about the Vestals and their part in keeping the Wills of the Romans. I didn't know about that.

Overall, I really enjoyed it.

marystevens's review against another edition

5.0

A refreshing look at the distaff side of Roman life.