Books : The Triumph of Caesar: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome)

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Author name: Steven Saylor

 : The Triumph of Caesar: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome)
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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780312359836
ISBN number: 0312359837
Label: St. Martin's Minotaur
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 320
Printing Date: May 13, 2008
Publishing house: St. Martin's Minotaur
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 28184
Studio: St. Martin's Minotaur




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The Roman civil war has come to its conclusion – Pompey is dead, Egypt is firmly under the control of Cleopatra (with the help of Rome’s legions), and for the very first time in many years Julius Caesar has returned to Rome itself. Appointed by the Senate as Dictator, the city abounds with rumors asserting that Caesar wishes to be made King – the very first such that Rome has had in centuries. And that not all of his opposition has been crushed.



Gordianus, recently returned from Egypt with his wife Bethesda, is essentially retired from his previous profession of ‘Finder’ but even he cannot refuse the call of Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife. Troubled  by dreams foretelling disaster and fearing a conspiracy against the life of Caesar, she had hired someone to investigate the rumors. But that person, a close friend of Gordianus, has just turned up dead – murdered -- on her doorstep. With four successive Triumphs for Caesar’s military victories scheduled for the coming days, and Caesar more exposed to danger than ever before, Calpurnia wants Gordianus to uncover the truth behind the rumored conspiracies -- to protect Caesar’s life, before it is too late. No fan of Caesar’s, Gordianus agrees to help – but only to find the murderer who killed his friend. But once an investigation is begun, there's no controlling what it will turn up, who it will put in danger, and where it will end.





Customer Reviews
User popularity level:  out of 5 stars

Rated by buyers 5 out of 5 stars - The Aging Gordianus
"The Triumph of Caesar" is Saylour at his best. There really is a nice pace to the story that begins strongly on Page 1. It never lets up. Good dialogue, a decent amount of suspense, tons of correct historical fact and description, and humour characterize the story. There is true suspense, a real mystery (murder) to solve, and clever resolution. This is a very first rate Roman detective story, period perfect and reader friendly.

I confess that since Steven is a friend, that I'm a bit biased, but, irrespective of that, I really did like this story for its focus and simplicity. Some of the earlier tales in the Gordianus series are more intricate and the characters more numerous - thus harder to follow. Here I think Saylour has matured as a novelist to simplify not only the story but his writing. There is not one extraneous word in this 300-page novel.

Of course, the story is populated by some of the most famous historical figures of all time, and we meet them face-to-face, warts and all, through dialogue and description from Caesar to Octavian to Brutus to Antony to Cleopatra and Calpurnia. Who can resist a story with these folks gracing the pages? Gordianus (and the blossoming newbie-detective -- his daughter Dianna) handle these encounters with little trepidation and quite a bit of moxie. I liked Dianna's insertion into solving the "who done it?" Will she eventually replace the aging Gordianus?

I did tire of repeated descriptions of the 4 Triumphs, although Saylour did shorten each one substantially. Thank you for that. One Triumph is quite a bit like another and we could have been spared some of the repetitious recounting of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

The book is a triumph for Saylor, quite possibly his best. Congratulations.




Rated by buyers 3 out of 5 stars - If It's Tuesday, You Must be Vercingetorix
I should have realized this book would be a letdown. It arrives just a year after Saylor's wonderful (and lengthy) "Roma." Quickly returning to his successful Roma Sub Rosa series, he elects to have Gordianus spend his time interviewing, sometimes brilliantly, several of the Big Names in town for a set of public "triumphs" being held by Julius Caesar. But not all of these folk are registered at five star hotels. Some live in captivity, a few of those in degrading filth, and all are intended serve the Dictator as public victims, a tradition within the "triumph" genre. Gordianus' sessions with the doomed are especially compelling. So far, so good.

But the decision develop character allows no time to develop a complex plot. Caesar's wife Calpurnia believes her husband to lie in grave peril, a state from which only the Finder can rescue him. Receiving her daily directions, Gordianus trudges from interview to interview, inevitably asking himself if This could be The One, and always reminding us that it's never The One you think it is. Brutus? Nah ... Cleopatra? Too obvious, and yet it's never The One ... And on and on.

But if you haven't spotted The REAL One by page fifty you're not trying very hard. The motive is transparent, and the clues lie about like spilled tea leaves. Worst, the conclusion is so un-Gordianus as to leave us wondering if he really did die back there in Egypt. Or maybe just should have.

I loved this character and his entourage through many thoughtfully entertaining adventures. Thus isn't any of them.




Rated by buyers 2 out of 5 stars - Naw, not so much for me
I too am a fan of Saylor's work. From Roman Blood (his best) on, I've read every one. My qualm with his latest is his depiction of Julius Ceasar and the liberties taken by his subordinates regarding his sexuality, and Ceasar's weak, clamy response. This from one of the most gifted orators and feared men of the ancient world. I think not. This doesn't jibe with what I know of Julius Ceasar. Yes, I know there were questions, and yes, I know Ceasar loved to be adored, but it just doesn't ring true to me. Sorry, but I feel that the author may be projecting into this work just a tad. Just my opinion.



Rated by buyers 4 out of 5 stars - The Triumph of Caesar
All of Saylor's books and their authentic historical background are fascinating to me. Once again, the character of Gordinanus the Finder is just enough 'snooping', thoughtful insight into the characters, and dreams that help him solve the mysteries. A good mix.



Rated by buyers 2 out of 5 stars - Standard slipping
A Disappointing addition to the Gordianus series. As always well researched and well related on Caesars triumphs but the plot is weak and transparent. We all thought Gordianus was dead after his last book maybe he should have been.
There is hope that Diana his daughter will take over, and liven things up in the future. She needs to.

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