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theoissocool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.25
tilda_mellor's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This book follows the historical characters of the poet Catullus and his lover Clodia, during the Rome of Julius Caesar.
Catullus is involved with his scandalous lover, who also happens to be married, and he's a tortured artist, writing poems about her, and suffering the agony of not being able to marry her and be with her always.
I enjoyed the descriptions of ancient Rome and its surrounds and the details of what life was like for the citizens and slaves of the day. The inclusion of verses of Catullus' actual poems was a nice touch, sprinkled throughout the book, as the events that supposedly brought those poems about unfolded.
The story was enjoyable, but I felt like it never really fully gripped me, and it kind of just tapered off at the end.
Catullus is involved with his scandalous lover, who also happens to be married, and he's a tortured artist, writing poems about her, and suffering the agony of not being able to marry her and be with her always.
I enjoyed the descriptions of ancient Rome and its surrounds and the details of what life was like for the citizens and slaves of the day. The inclusion of verses of Catullus' actual poems was a nice touch, sprinkled throughout the book, as the events that supposedly brought those poems about unfolded.
The story was enjoyable, but I felt like it never really fully gripped me, and it kind of just tapered off at the end.
inkstainedthumb's review against another edition
3.0
I found Counting The Stars a really hard book to get into, probably why it took me so long getting through it. The wasn't the same pull I've experienced with some of the other books Helen Dunmore has written (that I've read). Once I got about half way through it did get easier to read, though still a bit of a struggle.
This book does give an interesting look on the affairs of the ancient Roman world, the cold brutality, the heartbreak, the death. Poison was used a lot back then.
This book does give an interesting look on the affairs of the ancient Roman world, the cold brutality, the heartbreak, the death. Poison was used a lot back then.
kaitlynmccready's review against another edition
And part of me still feels like I should push through. Even though I’ve fallen asleep twice today trying to read it! And I made it to 50% today but I’m just not enjoying it.
It’s a retelling I was totally into reading about. I just feel like there’s no plot or reason to the story. Reading about this Roman poet whining about this woman who doesn’t love him the way he loves her. She’s married to another man and they’re having an affair but it’s clear the the love will continue to be unrequited and I feel like it’s going to be more of the same wafting to the end. Not for me unfortunately.
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