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tartancrusader's review against another edition
4.0
I've always found the Italian Civil War very confusing. I still find it very confusing, but I think I understand it a little better now.
readlovegrow's review against another edition
5.0
Book 1 (First Man of Rome) ended on such a high note in the friendship of Marius and Sulla that I was actually hesitant to read this next novel, but I'm very glad I did.
There's definitely more warfare in this one, lots of people dying, being assassined, sucides, etc. But it's all done very well. Towards the end (I don't want to spoil it too much), I actually felt a little heartbroken and misty-eyed for Rome.
I'm on to reading the third book now (Fortune's Favorites). McCullough, the author, worked to make each book able to "stand alone" and while I felt I *could* walk away from the series at the end of Book 1, the end of Book 2 had me completely *compelled* to start Book 3 immediately. Off I go now!
There's definitely more warfare in this one, lots of people dying, being assassined, sucides, etc. But it's all done very well. Towards the end (I don't want to spoil it too much), I actually felt a little heartbroken and misty-eyed for Rome.
I'm on to reading the third book now (Fortune's Favorites). McCullough, the author, worked to make each book able to "stand alone" and while I felt I *could* walk away from the series at the end of Book 1, the end of Book 2 had me completely *compelled* to start Book 3 immediately. Off I go now!
doro_la_thea's review against another edition
5.0
The rise of Sulla is fascinating. The growth of Caesar is riveting. The tragedies of some families is hard to bear. This one is easier to read after The First Man in Rome got me accustomed to not having to be able to pronounce everyone's names in my head but rather just read & recognize. Maybe a book on tape would help me with that. But since I've read the series 3 times I suppose it really isn't an issue for me anymore.
jonpaulraphael's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
geenween's review against another edition
4.0
E' un vero peccato che questa serie sia relativamente poco conosciuta, rispetto al nostrano Manfredi, perché è un romanzo storico che, pur prendendosi le sue libertà, si sforza di mantenere il più possibile una grande accuratezza storica, ma, nonostante questo, riesce comunque mantenere una certa 'suspence'. Anche se storicamente ricordavo (più o meno nitidamente) come sarebbe finito un personaggio, quando incontrava delle difficoltà la domanda "e adesso come ne esce?" si manifestava lo stesso.
I personaggi principali sono figli del loro tempo, sufficientemente alieni per suscitare in me sufficiente voglia di prenderli a calci (Silla e Mario in egual misura), perché LO SO che il loro modo di pensare è romano
I problema principale è che in alcuni casi tende a diventare troppo 'spiegone storico/libro di testo' a discapito della storia, che perde improvvisamente di tensione. Mi sarebbe piaciuto che l'autrice avesse cercato di integrare un po' di più le informazioni al romanzo (e magari usato le note a piè pagina, leggere di due consoli romani che si spiegano a vicenda le funzioni delle varie toghe è un po' imbarazzante) e che, pur mantenendo un'impostazione corale del romanzo, avesse dedicato attenzioni particolari ad alcuni personaggi secondari: la storia romana è piena di personaggi con nomi molto simili, e in alcuni punti, quando alcuni di loro assumono importanza della storia mi sono resa conto che, essendo poco delineati, tendevo a perdermeli nelle maree di Catoni, Pompei, Marii, Ciceroni etc.
Letto per le sfide
1. Trim your TBR - Libro #22, per la task Un libro con un titolo diverso rispetto all'originale
2. Alphabet 2020 per Un libro di un autore il cui cognome inizi per M
3. Extra-Large 2020 - Modalità difficile (9/9, #944 pagine) ! Obbiettivo Completo!
I personaggi principali sono figli del loro tempo, sufficientemente alieni per suscitare in me sufficiente voglia di prenderli a calci (Silla e Mario in egual misura), perché LO SO che il loro modo di pensare è romano
I problema principale è che in alcuni casi tende a diventare troppo 'spiegone storico/libro di testo' a discapito della storia, che perde improvvisamente di tensione. Mi sarebbe piaciuto che l'autrice avesse cercato di integrare un po' di più le informazioni al romanzo (e magari usato le note a piè pagina, leggere di due consoli romani che si spiegano a vicenda le funzioni delle varie toghe è un po' imbarazzante) e che, pur mantenendo un'impostazione corale del romanzo, avesse dedicato attenzioni particolari ad alcuni personaggi secondari: la storia romana è piena di personaggi con nomi molto simili, e in alcuni punti, quando alcuni di loro assumono importanza della storia mi sono resa conto che, essendo poco delineati, tendevo a perdermeli nelle maree di Catoni, Pompei, Marii, Ciceroni etc.
Letto per le sfide
1. Trim your TBR - Libro #22, per la task Un libro con un titolo diverso rispetto all'originale
2. Alphabet 2020 per Un libro di un autore il cui cognome inizi per M
3. Extra-Large 2020 - Modalità difficile (9/9, #944 pagine) ! Obbiettivo Completo!
brandur's review against another edition
3.0
A hugely impressive history lession, but runs quite long with a daunting array of peripheral characters.
rogue007's review against another edition
4.0
Finally finished this large book after taking breaks for months and reading other books. I didn't enjoy this as much as the first book. Mainly because Sulla and Marius being at odds with each other. Marius' decline was hard to read, not to mention the horrific things he did in his madness. His legacy was forever tainted. Things ended on a bit of a cliffhanger with Sulla still away at war and young Caesar becoming the flamen Dialis. I must admit Caesar took center stage in this story for me. Can't wait to see how gets out of his predicament.
guojing's review against another edition
5.0
It pains me to say that this is better than the original, but such is the case. I would not have expected it to be true until I reached maybe around page 100 and saw the potential which this book bore. I was mildly disappointed with the ending, but I have no doubts that the next book shall resurrect the feelings of the first 800 pages.
Unlike most historical fiction - where the fiction comes first, and the history simply sets the scene - Colleen McCullough's historical fiction is primary history, with some fictionalization here and there. Looking back in the history books whenever an event - major or minor - occurs in the plot, I always notice that it is taken directly from history. That most history books feature no more than 100 pages on the period 110-88 BC, and she has managed to fill 2,000 pages, is a testament to her ingenuity and simultaneous fidelity to history.
Unlike most historical fiction - where the fiction comes first, and the history simply sets the scene - Colleen McCullough's historical fiction is primary history, with some fictionalization here and there. Looking back in the history books whenever an event - major or minor - occurs in the plot, I always notice that it is taken directly from history. That most history books feature no more than 100 pages on the period 110-88 BC, and she has managed to fill 2,000 pages, is a testament to her ingenuity and simultaneous fidelity to history.