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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
A heavily fictionalized account of the childhood and early days of Julius Caesar, understandably fictionalized because there is very little that we do know of, about his formative years.
The book does make for a rather gripping read, despite being a chronicle of childhood exploits, and a smidgen of Roman politics. The Republic is beginning to come apart, bit by small bit, under the machinations of rival generals Sulla and Marius. It is the short time spent with his uncle Marius, that gives the young Gaius (as Caesar was known then), a taste for power and a yen for glory.
Fictional characters abound, and the histories of both Sulla and Marius have been changed inorder to compress them into a shorter time span. If you can look past the changes, this is an easy and engaging read. You don't even have to be a history buff, just someone who likes an occasional good read.
The book does make for a rather gripping read, despite being a chronicle of childhood exploits, and a smidgen of Roman politics. The Republic is beginning to come apart, bit by small bit, under the machinations of rival generals Sulla and Marius. It is the short time spent with his uncle Marius, that gives the young Gaius (as Caesar was known then), a taste for power and a yen for glory.
Fictional characters abound, and the histories of both Sulla and Marius have been changed inorder to compress them into a shorter time span. If you can look past the changes, this is an easy and engaging read. You don't even have to be a history buff, just someone who likes an occasional good read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been amazed by quite a few historical fiction already, but none of this specific genre. Rome is one of my favorite places ever since I was young. I aced my third year in high school where we had Greek, Roman, and Egyptian History. Those 3 are my main interest, kindly include Russian History but I haven't read anything about that though.
I know that this novel is high on the inaccuracy, but the author made a note in the end anyway. He said that he intentionally had to do the inaccuracy to make the plot a lot better. I honestly didn't mind the inaccuracies, even though I'm a semi huge history buff. I found the novel really interesting despite the issue. I know most of the people who hated this didn't like the inaccuracies, so I guess that goes to show that people have different opinions.
I now conclude that I love reading about military and war fiction/non-fiction. I'm also currently reading The Thousand Names by Django Wexler, and I'm enjoying it a lot. Both focused heavily on war and military. I will surely read more of the genre.
This has to be one of my favorite reads of 2015. I'm now reminded to make a top-something reads of 2015 shelf. Something about the setting and characters really made me enjoy this novel. It felt very, historical. It delivered the setting it was supposed to. It felt like living in Rome at some parts. The characters were really great. Gaius, Marcus, Renius, etc were awesome. Almost all of them were fully developed and contributed a lot more to the plot than possible.
4/5 stars. Highly recommended to those who can stand the historical inaccuracies. That was the only problem I saw that might hinder you from enjoying this. Aside from that, this was near perfect. I didn't rate this a 5 because it didn't blow me away, unlike the other 5 star novels I've read in the past. Another note too that this felt a bit like a young adult/coming-of-age kind of novel. You'll be reading about Gaius and Marcus' journey from childhood to manhood. It's not that annoying to be honest, unlike some YA books I've read. It read more like a historical fiction book, just like it was supposed to.
I know that this novel is high on the inaccuracy, but the author made a note in the end anyway. He said that he intentionally had to do the inaccuracy to make the plot a lot better. I honestly didn't mind the inaccuracies, even though I'm a semi huge history buff. I found the novel really interesting despite the issue. I know most of the people who hated this didn't like the inaccuracies, so I guess that goes to show that people have different opinions.
I now conclude that I love reading about military and war fiction/non-fiction. I'm also currently reading The Thousand Names by Django Wexler, and I'm enjoying it a lot. Both focused heavily on war and military. I will surely read more of the genre.
This has to be one of my favorite reads of 2015. I'm now reminded to make a top-something reads of 2015 shelf. Something about the setting and characters really made me enjoy this novel. It felt very, historical. It delivered the setting it was supposed to. It felt like living in Rome at some parts. The characters were really great. Gaius, Marcus, Renius, etc were awesome. Almost all of them were fully developed and contributed a lot more to the plot than possible.
4/5 stars. Highly recommended to those who can stand the historical inaccuracies. That was the only problem I saw that might hinder you from enjoying this. Aside from that, this was near perfect. I didn't rate this a 5 because it didn't blow me away, unlike the other 5 star novels I've read in the past. Another note too that this felt a bit like a young adult/coming-of-age kind of novel. You'll be reading about Gaius and Marcus' journey from childhood to manhood. It's not that annoying to be honest, unlike some YA books I've read. It read more like a historical fiction book, just like it was supposed to.
Ik was even vergeten hoe geweldig ik de Romeinse geschiedenis vind. Dit boek is het eerste deel uit een reeks over Caesar en gaat over zijn jeugd, zijn vriendschap met Brutus en de burgeroorlog tussen Marius en Sulla.
Iggulden heeft een geweldige schrijfstijl, je vliegt door het boek, alleen lijken sommige hoofdstukken zo onbenullig. Zeker in het begin ging alles nogal traag.
Marius en Sulla en hun onderlinge vete wordt vaak vergeten, veel boeken beginnen bij Caesar. Sulla is een persoon die me altijd mateloos gefascineerd heeft en hij wordt geweldig neergezet. Net als enkele andere bijpersonages. Mijn klik met de hoofdpersonen, Julius en Marcus, moet nog wat groeien merk ik.
Historisch gezien weten we weinig over deze periode en Iggulden neemt ook wel heel wat vrijheid met de feiten die we wel weten. Dat vind ik soms dan weer jammer, maar het komt het boek wel ten goede. Aan spanning, geweld en drama geen gebrek. Die deus ex machina en verzonnen zaken moet je er dan maar bijnemen.
Mooie kennismaking met deze auteur. Ik lees zeker nog verder!
Iggulden heeft een geweldige schrijfstijl, je vliegt door het boek, alleen lijken sommige hoofdstukken zo onbenullig. Zeker in het begin ging alles nogal traag.
Marius en Sulla en hun onderlinge vete wordt vaak vergeten, veel boeken beginnen bij Caesar. Sulla is een persoon die me altijd mateloos gefascineerd heeft en hij wordt geweldig neergezet. Net als enkele andere bijpersonages. Mijn klik met de hoofdpersonen, Julius en Marcus, moet nog wat groeien merk ik.
Historisch gezien weten we weinig over deze periode en Iggulden neemt ook wel heel wat vrijheid met de feiten die we wel weten. Dat vind ik soms dan weer jammer, maar het komt het boek wel ten goede. Aan spanning, geweld en drama geen gebrek. Die deus ex machina en verzonnen zaken moet je er dan maar bijnemen.
Mooie kennismaking met deze auteur. Ik lees zeker nog verder!
Celor doi băieți care o coborau, poteca din pădure li se părea un dig anevoios. Erau atât de murdari de noroi gros și negru, încât abia dacă îți dădeai seama că sunt oameni. Cel mai înalt dintre ei avea ochi albaștri, nefiresc de strălucitori în comparație cu nămolul care-l acoperea și care-i dădea o senzație de uscăciune și mâncărime.
— O să fim uciși pentru asta, Marcus, spuse rânjind.
În mână, o bandulieră îi atârna leneș, îngreunată sub povara unei pietre netede de râu.
— E vina ta că m-ai împins, Gaius. Ți-am spus că albia râului nu a secat peste tot.
În timp ce vorbea, băiatul mai scund râdea, înghiontindu-și prietenul în tufișurile care mărgineau cărarea. Țipa și fugea, iar Gaius sărea și pornea în urmărire, învârtind banduliera deasupra capului.
— La luptă! striga cu vocea lui înaltă, puternică.
Bătaia pe care urmau să o primească acasă pentru că își stricaseră tunicile era încă departe și oricum amândoi cunoșteau toate șiretlicurile care să-i scoată din belea; tot ce conta era să se alerge pe potecile din pădure, cât de repede puteau, speriind păsările. Doi copii desculți, având deja semne de bătături, deși nu împliniseră mai mult de opt ani.
„De data asta îl prind”, își spuse Gaius trăgându-și sufletul în timp ce fugea. Pentru el reprezenta un mister cum de reușea Marcus să-și miște picioarele și brațele mai repede, deși avea tot atâtea la număr. De fapt, pentru că era mai scund, pasul acestuia ar fi trebuit să fie mai mic, nu?
Frunzele îl loveau, înțepându-i brațele goale. Undeva, în față, îl auzea pe Marcus întărâtându-l. Gaius strânse din dinți, începea să-l doară pieptul.
Năvăli dintr-odată într-un luminiș, dar se opri brusc, încremenit. Marcus zăcea la pământ, încercând să se ridice și sprijinindu-și capul în mâna dreaptă. Trei bărbați – de fapt, nu, băieți mai mari – stăteau lângă el, cu bețe în mâini.
Gaius își dădu seama unde se află și scoase un geamăt. Joaca îi purtase pe cei doi băieți dincolo de micul domeniu al tatălui său, în pădurea vecinilor. Ar fi trebuit să recunoască drumul care marca hotarul, dar fusese prea pornit să-l prindă pe Marcus.
— O să fim uciși pentru asta, Marcus, spuse rânjind.
În mână, o bandulieră îi atârna leneș, îngreunată sub povara unei pietre netede de râu.
— E vina ta că m-ai împins, Gaius. Ți-am spus că albia râului nu a secat peste tot.
În timp ce vorbea, băiatul mai scund râdea, înghiontindu-și prietenul în tufișurile care mărgineau cărarea. Țipa și fugea, iar Gaius sărea și pornea în urmărire, învârtind banduliera deasupra capului.
— La luptă! striga cu vocea lui înaltă, puternică.
Bătaia pe care urmau să o primească acasă pentru că își stricaseră tunicile era încă departe și oricum amândoi cunoșteau toate șiretlicurile care să-i scoată din belea; tot ce conta era să se alerge pe potecile din pădure, cât de repede puteau, speriind păsările. Doi copii desculți, având deja semne de bătături, deși nu împliniseră mai mult de opt ani.
„De data asta îl prind”, își spuse Gaius trăgându-și sufletul în timp ce fugea. Pentru el reprezenta un mister cum de reușea Marcus să-și miște picioarele și brațele mai repede, deși avea tot atâtea la număr. De fapt, pentru că era mai scund, pasul acestuia ar fi trebuit să fie mai mic, nu?
Frunzele îl loveau, înțepându-i brațele goale. Undeva, în față, îl auzea pe Marcus întărâtându-l. Gaius strânse din dinți, începea să-l doară pieptul.
Năvăli dintr-odată într-un luminiș, dar se opri brusc, încremenit. Marcus zăcea la pământ, încercând să se ridice și sprijinindu-și capul în mâna dreaptă. Trei bărbați – de fapt, nu, băieți mai mari – stăteau lângă el, cu bețe în mâini.
Gaius își dădu seama unde se află și scoase un geamăt. Joaca îi purtase pe cei doi băieți dincolo de micul domeniu al tatălui său, în pădurea vecinilor. Ar fi trebuit să recunoască drumul care marca hotarul, dar fusese prea pornit să-l prindă pe Marcus.
I enjoyed this for the most part. The characters weren't incredibly deep, and not particularly likeable, one of the downsides of writing about real people. The battles were many, and ok. Not as raunchy as some books, but had some scenes I could do without. I may read the sequel, but not right away.
As in his series on Genghis Kahn, you get a great sense of the time, the people, the customs and, in this case, Julius Caesar as a boy and a young man. Well written. A bit graphic in the gore but undoubtedly accurate. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.
I thought this was a good look into the young years of Julius Cesar. It was a bit compressed when the book came to looking at the conflicts between Cesar's uncle Marius and Scilla (I actually only noticed as I have read some non fiction works on this era of Roman history)
However, for a fictionalized account, I found this engaging and surprisingly a quick read when compared to the length of the book. This had been passed onto me by a family member who was clearing his book collection, and I'm glad I read it myself before passing it on.
However, for a fictionalized account, I found this engaging and surprisingly a quick read when compared to the length of the book. This had been passed onto me by a family member who was clearing his book collection, and I'm glad I read it myself before passing it on.
I enjoyed. I haven’t read other histories of Rome (except Vidal’s Julian which takes place 300+ years later and is phenomenal) so I can’t really say how artfully or artlessly Iggulden is selecting and interpreting events. He builds the characters well enough and the suspense is decent. The second book will probably be more spellbinding where we get to see Caesar’s true transformation from adolescent to demi-god.
adventurous
fast-paced
A good beginning to a quartet on the life and times of Julius Caesar. If you read my reviews or know me personally, you know that I am stickler for historical accuracy in my Historical Fiction reading. So it so very surprising that the liberties Iggulden takes with Caesar's early life did not bother me at all. It was such a fast paced story, filled with wonderful characters, that I got engrossed early on and could not put it down. Iggulden does comment in his notes that he took the liberties due to the 1) the lack of information available on Caesar's youth and 2) to enhance the reading.
I plan to continue the series and would recommend this book to any who enjoy HF in a war/military setting. This was the author's debut novel and I look forward to see how he grows as an writer.
I plan to continue the series and would recommend this book to any who enjoy HF in a war/military setting. This was the author's debut novel and I look forward to see how he grows as an writer.