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A review by plantbirdwoman
The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor
2.0
I had read all the books in this series about Gordianus the Finder, but it had been so long since the last one I read - "A Gladiator Only Dies Once" - that I found I had forgotten a lot about the history of the characters and I had a hard time picking up the thread here. Once I did, I just couldn't get that interested somehow. The writing seemed flat.
I think part of the problem is that, since I last read this series, I discovered John Maddox Roberts and Lindsay Davis, both of whom are much better writers of this genre, in my opinion. In comparison, Saylor's characters seem pretty thin.
Also, I found his seeming insistence on the importance of Julius Caesar's homosexual experiences a bit forced and off-putting. No doubt he had such experiences - although perhaps not as many as Saylor seems to think - but I just doubt that they were that big a factor in his life.
On the plus side, as usual, the book seemed well-researched and contained a wealth of historical detail. I only wish it had been presented in a more compelling and interesting manner.
I think part of the problem is that, since I last read this series, I discovered John Maddox Roberts and Lindsay Davis, both of whom are much better writers of this genre, in my opinion. In comparison, Saylor's characters seem pretty thin.
Also, I found his seeming insistence on the importance of Julius Caesar's homosexual experiences a bit forced and off-putting. No doubt he had such experiences - although perhaps not as many as Saylor seems to think - but I just doubt that they were that big a factor in his life.
On the plus side, as usual, the book seemed well-researched and contained a wealth of historical detail. I only wish it had been presented in a more compelling and interesting manner.