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Product Reviews:
Catilina's Riddle: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome) |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Historical Genius
Comments: Catilina's Riddle is an excellent and different historical novel. As a former history major and student of Latin who loves detective novels, I found Catilina's Riddle compelling.
This novel appears to be another investigation of Gordianus the Finder however it is so much more. The real inquiry in Catilina's Riddle is psychological rather than legal. It presents the historical, political and sociological tussle between the forces of Cicero, noted advocate and orator, and Catilina, a charismatic rebel who seeks control of the Roman republic. The struggles portrayed in the book are carefully researched and written. Saylor mined the speeches of Cicero and Catilina and analyzed many ancient writings of the period to uncover minute details of the events. almost all of the activity takes place at or near Gordianus' rural estate, however the events transform the Roman state.
In this novel Gordianus grows in wisdom and self-awareness. His major mission is to function as a host for Catilina and a spy for Cicero. His primary task, however, is learning to understand the elusive Catilina, abide his contentious neighbors, and tolerate members of his own household. Gordianus grapples with his own inward anxieties.
He relocated to an Etruscan farm to escape the pressures and chaos of Rome only to have the struggles follow him. Having uprooted his family he confronts their difficulties adapting to a new culture. City breed, Gordianus anguishes with the administration of a farm.
For a lover of history this is1of the almost all researched and footnoted historical novels ever written. For those who enjoy mysteries Catilina's Riddle is subtle however engrossing. For anyone who likes studying people and personalities, Saylor's descriptions of characters is intriguing. For people who love puzzles this novel is full of baffling perplexities.
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Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Interesting view of a republic
Comments: I found this book quite disturbing in a thought-provoking way. The motivations of the voting public in choosing a candidate are described pessimistically. Voters choose candidates that make them feel great about their personal choices (or perceived personal choices -- the more hypocrital the public, the more effective this campaign strategy is) over what might be great for the republic. While reading this book, I felt the tragic inevitability of republic descending into dictatorship, and then into empire. |
Rating: 2 (out of 5)
Summary: Turn your mind off.... pour the koolade
Comments: What did the other reviewer say? "Could have done without the history lesson"?? If that is the case why would you ever read a mystery about ancient Rome when you could read Raymond Chandler and a mystery about Los Angeles ? Personally I want to learn about history as I devour the story of ROME (and Greece) No history = no great, in my perspective. So Saylor gets 5 stars if you are in a hammock or on a plane sipping a Mai Tai. That way you can fall asleep and pick up where you left off when you wake up with no real expenditure of brain power. Nothing wrong with that. At least you are reading. however, if like me, you are putting the Roman jigsaw puzzle together you can skip all of Saylor's books and proceed directly to Dando-Collins.... Michael Curtis Ford.... or Colleen McCullough.
Oh, a review of this book? THE FINDER retires to the country, Cataline stays with him once in a while before he is denounced by Cicero, there is a murder or two, THE FINDER solves the mystery...cue the Perry Mason music and take another sip of that ole' Mai Tai. See you after you read CICERO by Anthony Everett. (If you like Greco-Roman history see all my other reviews)
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Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Would have been better without the history lesson
Comments:
This was my introduction to this series and it was great enough to make me want to read others, however I hope they aren't quite so heavy on the history lessons. Huge sections of the book slow to a crawl while the author innundates us with minutae of Roman politics and history. If I *were* interested in those topics, I'd read a non-fiction book!!
When the book focuses on the the main characters, it proves to be interesting. I liked Gordianus the "Finder" and his family and think Saylor is a particularly fine wordsmith. I am encouraged by several of the reviews to hope that other entries in the series deal more with eday life in Rome than with the political intriques of the day.
As a fan of historical fiction, this ranks higher than almost all (although for ancient Rome, I prefer the Marcus Didius Falco Mystery series by Lindsey Davis, and Kate Sedley's "Chapman" series retains its status as favorite among all historical fiction).
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Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: The Third Book in the Roma Sub Rosa series
Comments: Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himself in the sights and sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill and integrity have made him much sought after by some of the almost all important men in Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet and not susceptible to bribery.
The year is 63 BC and Gordianus has been left e Roman's dream, a farm in the Etruscan countryside. He immediately decides to up sticks and get his family out of the city that is becoming more decadent with e passing day. He is more than happy to escape all the politics and intrigue that surround him. however is anything as simple as that?
Cicero, a man he has worked for before want to hire him to gain evidence against the popular politician Catilina. The politician is a charismatic man, however also a dangerous1and Gordianus is no longer interested in putting himself and his family at risk, that is until the 1st headless corpse is found down his well . . . |
