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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-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:
Yes
Imperium is a wonderfully riveting read and remain most impressed by Harris’ particularly unique ability lend life to classical historical tales. The characterisation in Imperium is superb - the choice of telling the story from the perspective of Tiro the secretary is particularly useful and inspired. Empathy is well measured in doses with Imperium - we like Tiro - even though he could be an reflected empty vehicle/vessel, we do get a vision of where he is going from and seeks. His own perspectives seem nuanced and very well balanced. Through tiro’s recollection, Cicero is a flawed but driven individual that through the tale we come to learn (as does he seemingly) the objective of Roman (?maybe all) politics and his own desires - also the challenge of choosing what in life will be valued and to what end (marriage to what purpose? - and by no means static). What is to be traded for greater reward - life is a series of compromises - a magnificent game of shifting rules, challenges and potential - but always shifting.
The foreshadowing surround Caesar borders possibly on too pronounced, but even with Pompey the Great depends on how much Roman History one has going into the novel. Regardless of prior knowledge I feel Harris does an amazing job of introducing colourful historical detail with a pst engaging style and without any sense of belabouring recitation to merely show erudition. Perhaps this is further reinforced by his frank and open discussion on his use of sources, his personal conjectural process and his honest admission of what can be derived from primary source material and where he accepts responsibility for novella inventions.
I really enjoyed Imperium and am now moving on into Lustrum - but have specifically crafted this before too many pages and possible colouring by the follow on work.
The foreshadowing surround Caesar borders possibly on too pronounced, but even with Pompey the Great depends on how much Roman History one has going into the novel. Regardless of prior knowledge I feel Harris does an amazing job of introducing colourful historical detail with a pst engaging style and without any sense of belabouring recitation to merely show erudition. Perhaps this is further reinforced by his frank and open discussion on his use of sources, his personal conjectural process and his honest admission of what can be derived from primary source material and where he accepts responsibility for novella inventions.
I really enjoyed Imperium and am now moving on into Lustrum - but have specifically crafted this before too many pages and possible colouring by the follow on work.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
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
TLDR: *chef’s kiss* ✨politics✨
Oh the deliciousness of Cicero’s verbal brilliance! 😃😁
I have been reading this book since July 12, 2021. That may seem like a reason to rate this book very poorly, when in fact it is quite the opposite—it has been my safe space to read a couple pages at a time from through some very big years of my life.
Especially after reading Pompeii, Mr. Robert Harris is for sure my current reigning champ of Roman historical fiction.
I have never considered myself a fan girl, but I would definitely run through a mall screaming for a chance to meet the only author I’ve ever read who understands just who Cicero is and does justice to his brilliant yet complex character and the people around him (shout-out to Tiro). Makes me want to reread some of Cicero’s Orationes again. :)
Cannot wait to begin Conspirata!
Some of my favorite quotes (out of many):
“Words, words, words. Is there no end to the tricks you can make them perform?”
“Dear gods: it is a coup d’état disguised as an agrarian reform bill!”
Oh the deliciousness of Cicero’s verbal brilliance! 😃😁
I have been reading this book since July 12, 2021. That may seem like a reason to rate this book very poorly, when in fact it is quite the opposite—it has been my safe space to read a couple pages at a time from through some very big years of my life.
Especially after reading Pompeii, Mr. Robert Harris is for sure my current reigning champ of Roman historical fiction.
I have never considered myself a fan girl, but I would definitely run through a mall screaming for a chance to meet the only author I’ve ever read who understands just who Cicero is and does justice to his brilliant yet complex character and the people around him (shout-out to Tiro). Makes me want to reread some of Cicero’s Orationes again. :)
Cannot wait to begin Conspirata!
Some of my favorite quotes (out of many):
“Words, words, words. Is there no end to the tricks you can make them perform?”
“Dear gods: it is a coup d’état disguised as an agrarian reform bill!”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery
Minor: Cursing, Death