Synopsis:
When Tiro, the confidential secretary (and slave) of a Roman senator, opens the door to a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually propel his master into one of the most suspenseful courtroom dramas in history. The stranger is a Sicilian, a victim of the island's corrupt Roman governor, Verres. The senator is Marcus Cicero -- an ambitious young lawyer and spellbinding orator, who at the age of twenty-seven is determined to attain imperium -- supreme power in the state.
Of all the great figures of the Roman world, none was more fascinating or charismatic than Cicero. And Tiro -- the inventor of shorthand and author of numerous books, including a celebrated biography of his master (which was lost in the Dark Ages) -- was always by his side.
Compellingly written in Tiro's voice, Imperium is the re-creation of his vanished masterpiece, recounting in vivid detail the story of Cicero's quest for glory, competing with some of the most powerful and intimidating figures of his -- or any other -- age: Pompey, Caesar, Crassus, and the many other powerful Romans who changed history.
Robert Harris, the world's master of innovative historical fiction, lures us into a violent, treacherous world of Roman politics at once exotically different from and yet startlingly similar to our own -- a world of Senate intrigue and electoral corruption, special prosecutors and political adventurism -- to describe how one clever, compassionate, devious, vulnerable man fought to reach the top.
My Review:
“Power brings a man many luxuries, but a clean pair of hands is seldom among them.”
The first volume in a trilogy of books about Cicero, Imperium opens with Cicero studying rhetoric to develop himself and follows him through his election for the praetorship. Along the road, we find ourselves involved in political intrigues, corruption trials, family drama, and more, watching as Cicero uses his greatest gift his words and voice to make a name for himself.
A man who raises from a humble nobody to become Consul (the strongest level of leadership in government) and becomes recognized as the grandest orator in history. Using simply his voice and his extraordinary talent for presentation, he begins his career by advocating in court for a man who lost everything to a corrupt Roman governor. After winning the case in grand style, he astounds commoners and senators likewise with his unique powers of speech and his penchant for fighting for the underdog.
As the book develops, Cicero rises through the ranks of leadership, gaining allies and friends, and making mortal enemies. Along the road he gains the protection of the great general Pompey, he makes the enmity of the somewhat less great general Crassus, and he watches as a young Julius Caesar enters politics and begins his journey to becoming Rome’s first dictator.
The story is told by Tiro, Cicero’s slave and personal assistant and confidant. It is written as if Tiro were reading from his account of Cicero’s life. There was a Tiro who supposedly wrote a biography; sadly, that record has been lost to time. The whole book contains only one or two details of physical violence, yet it captures your interest the same as the best thrillers; this is a proof not only to the unparalleled ability of Cicero to produce a vast quantity of captivating and persuasive speeches but also to the author’s ability to turn politics and courtroom adventure into something that is highly readable.
It’s absolutely clear that Harris has done his research here. Every page of Imperium feels like you’re reading something produced by someone who has lived and breathed this world. The book’s conceit that it’s the memoirs of Cicero as described by his personal secretary Tiro works beautifully, providing Harris a unique voice that can both take part in the narrative and comment on it.
More than anything else, Harris’s novel brings this fascinating man to life in all of his greatness and flaws, letting you see how he became such an iconic and important figure at a moment in history that had no shortage of them, and how he both succeeded and isolated himself at the same time. It’s informative, richly detailed, and knowledgeable, and yet it flows like the best novels, keeping you hooked on every development.
Must read for anyone who loves political intrigue, Roman history, and the wisdom of the ancient world. You'll come away with a new admiration for Cicero, the self-made "new man" who rose from obscurity to the consulship without money, family lineage, or military fame.
My Rating:
✬✬✬✬✬
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 9:20 AM
The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 8:47 AM
Synopsis:
A neglected garden. A cottage that holds a secret. A mysterious and handsome Frenchman. Prepare to be “spellbound by the sheer charm” of Santa Montefiore’s tender and powerful novel about passion, loss, and the healing power of love.
It begins as Miranda and David Claybourne move into a country house with a once-beautiful garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their dream. Soon the latent unhappiness in the family begins to come to the surface, isolating each family member in a bubble of resentment and loneliness.
Then an enigmatic Frenchman arrives on their doorstep. With the wisdom of nature, he slowly begins to heal the past and the present. But who is he? When Miranda reads about his past in a diary she finds in the cottage by the garden, the whole family learns that a garden, like love itself, can restore the human spirit, not just season after season, but generation after generation.
Wise and winsome, poignant and powerfully moving, The French Gardener is a contemporary story told with an old-fashioned sensibility steeped in the importance of family and the magical power of love.
“She was an original ... She was an eccentric. She'd come alive like a fire, telling funny stories and entertaining everyone, then she'd suddenly run out of fuel, make her excuses and leave. You always knew when she'd had enough. Those that didn't would find themselves talk to the walls.”
As wonderful and as sensually charming as a garden itself, this book is about the power of change. Two stories run parallel in this gripping book, one of the past and one of the present. As the past meets the present in heart-breaking ways, it brings the reader to understand the power of nature’s beauty and the power of love’s compassion.
A troubled couple, Miranda and David, move with their family into a country estate. Its overgrown gardens, formerly famed for its considerable beauty, and its tiny abandoned cottage is enchanting but uninteresting to the city born and breed family. A mysterious Frenchman shows up just when Miranda and David decided to employ a gardener. He not only brings back the gardens to the greatness of their past, but he heals his past while providing a future to Miranda’s family. Wonderfully composed, this book will leave you with hope and tenderness, and maybe a little in affection with the French gardener. Anyone who has experienced village life for themselves and or loves gardening will appreciate how Santa Montefiore has captured the essence of the characters and their surroundings.
This is a well written profound tale in which the garden serves as a metaphor of life. It separates the storyline into the four seasons with the garden different each time as is a person through the years. This book is moving because of the wise aging title character who reflects to the spring of his life so that the audience understands what passed to him and his love. Fans will appreciate Jean Paul’s wisdom as it is never too late to hug a loved one even if the person you love has passed; the good memories provide effective mental hugs.
My Rating:
✬✬✬✬✬
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 3:54 AM
September Book Wrap Up
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:45 AM
Hey everyone! As you can probably tell from the title, today I’m talking about all the books I read in September.
So, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
So, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
1. The Lost Army of Cambyses by Paul Sussman(✬✬✬)
Paul Sussman’s Lost Army of Cambyses is an action-packed archaeology adventure thriller that reads like an Indiana Jones movie. I found the first half of the book rather slow and boring. I came close to giving up and not finishing it. However, I am glad that I pushed on for the story proved to be an entertaining read.
2. A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff (✬✬✬)
I felt the author missed the opportunity to delve more into the history, people and stories connected to the vintage clothing in Phoebe’s shop; the same way she did for the story of Mrs. Bell’s “blue coat.” I found Mrs. Bell’s story far more interesting than anything going on in the lead character Phoebe’s love life.
3. The Rose of York: Love & War by Sandra Worth (✬✬✬✬)
I liked this book because of the different points of view it was told . Mainly, it was from Richards, but it had several other perspectives, which made it easier for you to like or dislike the characters, and get to know them and their personalities better. The writing has been done well , and it was easy to pick up from where I left off reading, and the visualization was good as well . I am one who does not believe he was a hunchback as Shakespeare portrays him. The Tudors wanted to destroy any good feelings for the Yorks after they became rulers.
4. Love Letters by Debbie Macomber (✬✬)
This book is a huge disappointment. I disliked all the characters and found I couldn’t care about what happened to any of them. I forced myself to finish the book, skimming through several of the pages. The conversations between the couples were so generic and dull, as were the characters.
5. Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett (✬✬✬✬)
Vanora Bennett’s “Portrait of an Unknown Woman” is a fascinating, well researched historical novel about two 16th century men, Sir Thomas More and artist Hans Holbein. Central to the storyline is a young woman who meant much to both of them. The history of the tumultuous times in which these people lived is larger than all the characters put together and makes for a dramatic story.
6. The Day We Met by Rowan Coleman (✬✬✬✬✬)
I loved the way this novel takes a heavy topic — a woman’s struggle against early onset Alzheimer’s — and makes it something other than completely depressing. The book explores the relationships between Alzheimer’s victim Claire and her mother, husband, and two daughters. All the relationships take on more depth as the story moves between the present and flashbacks to the past. By celebrating life’s little moments, Cowan strike lovely little notes of hope — not that Claire will escape the disease, but through the idea that what we love, we never truly lose.
7. The Comedian: A dark and humourous, novelette by Sean-Paul Thomas (✬✬✬✬✬)
This is entirely brilliant! The character Bill is so easy to connect with, to fall in love with. It is a perfect mix of humor, sadness, and hope. This book is a treat for readers who enjoy an unusual, intelligent and beautifully composed story.
8. The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy (✬✬✬)
This book is an account of the life of Elizabeth Boleyn, who was the mother of George, Mary, and Anne Boleyn. It was interesting reading a story from her perspective. So little is known about Elizabeth since she was such a minor role in the story. It disappointed me at how shallow and indifferent she seemed. It was hard, if not impossible, to feel any sympathy for her character, and she seemed to have no redeeming qualities. That being said, it was still a somewhat enjoyable book.
9. When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker (✬✬)
I thought this was a poorly written book. I read the first five chapters and had to start again because the story took such big leaps and assumptions that I was certain I had missed something. But no, that was just how it was written . I was interested in the premise that the newly widowed man was receiving letters from his late wife but it was a very unsatisfying resolution when it was revealed how this was happening. There was very little character development such that I wasn’t invested in the characters.
