A review by picadillette
The Shadow of Vesuvius: A Life of Pliny by Daisy Dunn

3.0

Daisy Dunn seems to strive to get to personally know Pliny the Younger. Interesting exploration and overview of the lives of both the Elder and the Younger, most informative to me for the picture it builds of everyday life for a member of the roman upper class. Definitely piques my interest to explore more, especially when you start to draw the parallels between Rome in 85 AD and the US in the last 50 years or so. Lots of exploration of Pliny's views on various topics of the day (health, natural beauty, best way to spend the day). Favorite quote from PLY - "When we are well, we should strive to be the sort of men we vowed to be in the future when we were unwell"