In light of the quick poll results (overwhelmingly historical fiction), I figured this would be as good a place as any to ask. I am currently in the middle of Colleen McCollough's series of novels on the end days of the Roman Republic, and I am enjoying them a great deal, though the writing is not really to my taste and I take issue with her positions vis a vis certain characters. The real attraction of those novels is the depth of detail and background for the characters as well as the breadth and scope of the narrative, as well as the completeness of the work (I am currently 2/3 through Fortune's Favorites, and my biggest gripe was the way it simply skipped over Sulla's campaign against Mithridites and went from his departure and the death of Marius right to his return to Italy). Also, I am in the "middle", so to speak, of Robert Harris' incomplete trilogy, having read Imperium and Conspirata. Though necessarily much more narrow in scope, I find the writing much more to my taste, and Harris to be a more intelligent and mature writer, while McCullough gives the impression of a scholar who is inept at relating her material in a narrative fashion. Her characters come across as caricatures shoddily assembled in Frankenstein fashion from a collage of historical data and extrapolations. Harris' characters are more human and comprehensible.
So can anyone recommend novels on a similar subject of similar quality (as regards historiosity)? Even alternate history might be interesting (I liked Harlan's Oath of Empire, but disliked Roberts' Hannibal's Children, if that is any help)
Are there any other comparable
So can anyone recommend novels on a similar subject of similar quality (as regards historiosity)? Even alternate history might be interesting (I liked Harlan's Oath of Empire, but disliked Roberts' Hannibal's Children, if that is any help)
Are there any other comparable
Skip the middle man and just read some Roman literature

(or the historical accounts, as they're basically all fiction anyway)
Cannoli
"Sometimes unhinged, sometimes unfair, always entertaining"
- The Crownless
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Deus Vult!
"Sometimes unhinged, sometimes unfair, always entertaining"
- The Crownless
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Deus Vult!
Can anyone recommend good Roman historical novels?
19/02/2010 05:28:52 PM
- 756 Views
Re: Can anyone recommend good Roman historical novels?
19/02/2010 06:12:35 PM
- 705 Views
Yeah, I mean as a change of pace from the rest.
19/02/2010 07:43:22 PM
- 491 Views
I loved McCullough's stuff
19/02/2010 08:48:56 PM
- 680 Views
Yes, I mentioned Imperium in my post...have you read the sequel, Conspirata?
20/02/2010 03:12:34 PM
- 542 Views
hadn't realized Harris made it a trilogy until I reread your post
20/02/2010 11:19:29 PM
- 510 Views
Harris' Pompeii is also great.
20/02/2010 01:08:51 AM
- 546 Views
Yeah, I've got I Claudius on the to do list,but I meant Republican Rome.
20/02/2010 03:13:46 PM
- 502 Views
I enjoyed Michael Curtis Ford
21/02/2010 05:06:05 AM
- 499 Views
Yes, I believe I read The Last King. I didn't know he wrote others, thanks. *NM*
24/02/2010 04:17:37 PM
- 182 Views
then I guess there isn't much point in recomending The Last King then
24/02/2010 08:04:51 PM
- 486 Views
