Review: Imperium by Robert Harris
In the years before I started blogging, I kept notes about the books I read. Every once in a while I post mini-reviews of books I read in my pre-blogging days. Enjoy.
Imperium is the first in a trilogy set in ancient Rome. It is written from the viewpoint of Marcus Tullius Tiro, who was Marcus Cicero's personal secretary. Both men are quite accomplished: Tiro invented shorthand and authored several books, including a biography of his master. Cicero, of course, was the famous Roman orator, lawyer, and statesman.
The novel is meant to be a re-creation of Tiro's biography (which was lost in the Middle Ages), and the story takes us from Cicero's humble beginnings to his life as a daring lawyer and finally to his rise as a major political figure. Harris introduces us to ancient Rome, including family life, social climbing, and the Senate floor. Of course many famous Romans play a part in the book, and we meet the likes of Pompey, Caesar, Crassus, and Cato.
Imperium presents a wonderful portrait of Rome before Pompey and Ceasar became rulers. Cicero's path to power is a fascinating story of politics and corruption, plotting and secrecy. It was especially interesting to read about Marc Anthony as a young man and to see the beginning of the rift between Ceasar and Pompey, which occurred years before they became co-consuls.
I listened to the unabridged audio edition (Simon & Schuster Audio) read by Simon Jones. My reading notes have just one word for the narration: Terrific.
I highly recommend this novel to historical fiction fans. The book is also a terrific supplement to the HBO series Rome, which begins at a time somewhat after the story told in Imperium. The second book in the trilogy, Lustrum, is supposed to be published in 2009, and I am impatiently waiting for its release.
Published by Simon & Schuster, 2007
ISBN-13: 9780743498661
14 comments:
It sounds like it took a while for the sequel to come out! I'm sure the research was extensive.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Smart idea! I never kept a list of books read, but my Mom did. I was surprised to find her book after she died, but wasn't at all surprised that in 2007 she read more than 100 books!
This sounds interesting. I have always thought Ancient Rome an interesting topic to read up on.
This is one of those books that I would never in a million years pick up, but if I did, I would love. I really do love historical fiction, but sometimes it is hard for me to get excited about it. I know I've said it before, but am quite impressed with the fact you took notes prior to blogging!
Stephanie: How cool to run across your mom's book of book notes!
Sandy: I think you would love this one.
I wasn't always the greatest about keeping notes. I had this one listed as an audiobook but I forgot to record who read the book and what I thought about the narration!
I absolutely love books about Rome so I'm going to have to check this one out! I read Pompeii by the same author (or at least I think it's the same guy.)
I *loved* this book! I'm very anxious to get my hands on the second book, and may end up ordering it from Book Depository rather than waiting for the US edition.
Lezlie
Last year I read Cicero by Anthony Everitt just sort of by accident and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. Stories of ancient Rome are really good! I'm glad you found your notes!
This was one of the books we read while traveling in Italy. It added a lot to our wanderings around the Forum area. We also enjoyed Pompeii.
A thank you for your blog is at http://reactionstoreading.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/i-keep-coming-back-for-more/
I have a whole list of authors that I am going to get to one day, and this guy is one of those!
Sounds like a perfect audio book for an upcoming road trip with my husband.
I've been keeping lists of what I'm reading too, since about 2002, even though I just started blogging this year. It's a great idea to post small reviews of books you've read before!
Imperium is definitely a book I'd like to read. I have "Pompei" from the same author in my TBR pile, but haven't gotten to it yet!
I loved studying Rome when I was in school, so this sounds great to me!
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