 Lustrum by Robert Harris |
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 Oct 19 2009, 08:02 AM
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#1
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Consul  Group: Patricii Posts: 1209 Joined: 14-September 05 From: Britannia Member No.: 792  |
The second part in Robert Harris's novels on Cicero is now available.
Anyone going to get it? I haven't read Imperium but I thought Pompeii was pretty good (whatever happened to the Hollywood movie they were making about that?) So far it's been having some pretty good reviews - I read a very positive one from the Independent. I would post it up here but its caused my computer to crash three times. Anyone have any thoughts on the novel? |
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Oct 19 2009, 05:53 PM
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#2
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Imaginifer Group: Equites Posts: 43 Joined: 11-April 09 From: Hamburg, Germania Member No.: 4274 |
I read both, Pompeii and Imperium and I have to admit that Pompeii was much better than Imperium. I thought that the story of Pompeii was more thrilling.
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Oct 19 2009, 06:05 PM
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#3
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Eidibus Martiis Group: Patricii Posts: 3350 Joined: 22-November 05 From: Columbensis Ohii Member No.: 998 |
Thanks for the update. Can't wait to read it! I loved both of Harris' Roman novels.
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Oct 19 2009, 08:06 PM
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#4
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Scriptor Group: Triumviri Posts: 6098 Joined: 21-June 03 From: Suburbia, MI USA Member No.: 3 |
QUOTE (M. Porcius Cato @ Oct 19 2009, 02:05 PM)  Thanks for the update. Can't wait to read it! I loved both of Harris' Roman novels. As did I... I was afraid that that Harris became permanently distracted by other subject or works. Glad to know I was wrong. |
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Nov 3 2009, 08:03 PM
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#5
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Consul Group: Patricii Posts: 1209 Joined: 14-September 05 From: Britannia Member No.: 792 |
QUOTE (Medusa @ Oct 19 2009, 05:53 PM) I read both, Pompeii and Imperium and I have to admit that Pompeii was much better than Imperium. I thought that the story of Pompeii was more thrilling. I suppose the more action orientated story of Pompeii is more thrilling to many other people than the political dealings of Cicero. That's probably why most ancient epics seem to centre on the Romany army, rather than the politics of Rome. |
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Nov 4 2009, 02:54 AM
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#6
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Praetor Urbanus Group: Patricii Posts: 3792 Joined: 29-June 04 From: Gens Ursi Member No.: 109 |
QUOTE (DecimusCaesar @ Nov 3 2009, 03:03 PM) I suppose the more action orientated story of Pompeii is more thrilling to many other people than the political dealings of Cicero. That's probably why most ancient epics seem to centre on the Romany army, rather than the politics of Rome. As for me, it would depend. How does the author portray Cicero? If he sees Cicero as the noble "pure as the fallen snow" Stoic I'd rather read about Roman military blood and guts. If however Cicero is depicted with his warts, vanities and insecurities, then that might be interesting reading. |
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Nov 4 2009, 01:41 PM
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#7
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Eidibus Martiis Group: Patricii Posts: 3350 Joined: 22-November 05 From: Columbensis Ohii Member No.: 998 |
Harris definitely portrays the whole Cicero -- brilliant and sometimes downright stupid, brave and sometimes utterly cowardly, heroic and sometimes just despicable. It's Cicero's better side that (rightfully) captures most of the limelight in Imperium, especially the prosecution of Verres, where Cicero's brilliance, bravery, and heroism were in full force. Yet, one of the more dramatic scenes in the first novel concerns the deep disappointment of an idealistic young Stoic who had supported Cicero and who witnessed with horror one of Cicero's particularly ugly Gaul-baiting speeches.
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Nov 4 2009, 01:58 PM
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#8
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Praetor Urbanus Group: Patricii Posts: 3792 Joined: 29-June 04 From: Gens Ursi Member No.: 109 |
That does sound interesting, Cato. Maybe I can find a cheap used copy at the dollar store.
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| Time is now: 21st November 2009 - 07:51 AM |