I do realize though that she glorifies the character of certain individuals quite a bit, but still I found the series immensely satisfying and informative.
A couple of authors to look for: Steven Saylor, who has written a whole series of historical-fiction/mystery novels as well as a couple of non-mysteries. As a matter of fact, my History-111HW/English 112H Learning Community that I am enrolled in right now at my local community college has us reading Saylor's "Arms of Nemesis" right now. For those who aren't familiar with "Learning Communities" it is a combination of two cross-disciplinary courses (in this case Survey of Early Western Civilization and College Composition II) taught by two instructors in the same room at the same time. This one in particular is really fun, since not only is the subject matter my major (history, with a writing certificate), but the instructors are also a married couple. You can check out my history instructor's website from the linky below.
Another is Allan Massey, who has written many historical fiction novels, including a couple about Rome.
Also, "Imperium" by Robert Harris is about the orator Cicero, written from the point of view of his slave-scribe Tiro
(who also happened to have invented the basis of modern shorthand, as well as having actually written a biography of Cicero that has been lost to us).
A couple of authors to look for: Steven Saylor, who has written a whole series of historical-fiction/mystery novels as well as a couple of non-mysteries. As a matter of fact, my History-111HW/English 112H Learning Community that I am enrolled in right now at my local community college has us reading Saylor's "Arms of Nemesis" right now. For those who aren't familiar with "Learning Communities" it is a combination of two cross-disciplinary courses (in this case Survey of Early Western Civilization and College Composition II) taught by two instructors in the same room at the same time. This one in particular is really fun, since not only is the subject matter my major (history, with a writing certificate), but the instructors are also a married couple. You can check out my history instructor's website from the linky below.
Another is Allan Massey, who has written many historical fiction novels, including a couple about Rome.
Also, "Imperium" by Robert Harris is about the orator Cicero, written from the point of view of his slave-scribe Tiro
(who also happened to have invented the basis of modern shorthand, as well as having actually written a biography of Cicero that has been lost to us).
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
Death to the Regressives of the GOP and the TeaParty. No mercy for Conservatives. Burn them all at the stake for the hateful satanists they are.
Can anyone recommend good Roman historical novels?
- 19/02/2010 05:28:52 PM
755 Views
I loved McCullough's stuff
- 19/02/2010 08:48:56 PM
678 Views
Yes, I mentioned Imperium in my post...have you read the sequel, Conspirata?
- 20/02/2010 03:12:34 PM
540 Views
hadn't realized Harris made it a trilogy until I reread your post
- 20/02/2010 11:19:29 PM
508 Views
Harris' Pompeii is also great.
- 20/02/2010 01:08:51 AM
542 Views
Yeah, I've got I Claudius on the to do list,but I meant Republican Rome.
- 20/02/2010 03:13:46 PM
501 Views
I enjoyed Michael Curtis Ford
- 21/02/2010 05:06:05 AM
497 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
181 Views
then I guess there isn't much point in recomending The Last King then
- 24/02/2010 08:04:51 PM
484 Views
- 24/02/2010 08:04:51 PM
484 Views