This book changed my lifeThe Goat writes, "Some books have made a huge impact on my life." It's true. It wasn't until the b3ta mods read the Flashman novels that we changed from mild-mannered computer operators into heavily-whiskered copulators, poltroons and all round bastards in a well-known cavalry regiment.
What books have changed the way you think, the way you live, or just gave you a rollicking good time?
Friendly hint: A bit of background rather than just a bunch of book titles would make your stories more readable
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chthonic, Thu 15 May 2008, 15:11)
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The Sub Rosa seriesIn short: It's murder mystery stuff set in late Republican Rome. It's a mixture of comedy and tragedy also.
The main protagonist is called Gordianus - an `informer' (in reality a detective) who finds himself investigating crimes and mysteries. The historical fact in the book is almost totally accurate - with Rome brought to life as a smelly, noisy, exotic simutaenously ugly and beautiful place to be.
The series is spread out over decades and Gordianus comes into contact (and works) with several historical figures ranging from Sulla, Clodia and Clodius, Pompey, Cicero, Caesar, Cleopatra as Rome is enveloped in riots, wars and things fall apart for the Republic.
The character isn't a good guy - but he IS likeable. He's not politically correct by a long shot, being very much a man of his time.
I'm a Roman history nut as it is - but this series does something that dry academic books don't do: It makes you realise that historical figures were people and more than that - people like anyone else with strengths and weaknesses.
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 9:51, 2 replies)
There's more than one informer?!This is news to me - up to now, I thought the only "informer/detective" series was the Falco series by Lindsey Davis. I hope your story is still going full throttle; the Falco one is seriously losing steam after nearly 20 books.
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 15:21, closed)
FalcoI used to read the Falco books, but got bored with them. These ones are set in Rome about a century earlier, are more `grown up' and generally less jokey, although there is humour in them.
The fascinating thing for me is the way historical figures are fleshed out, with the author using biographies and as little inferernce as possible. Sulla and Pompey are generals gone to seed and dangerous to cross. Cicero starts off as a young, idealistic lawyer and gradually turns into the arrogant tosser we all know and love. Catiline is a charismatic rabble rouser who meets a distinctly sticky end.
It's by Steven Saylor - I can't recommend these books highly enough.
(, Mon 19 May 2008, 15:21, closed)
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