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A review by takethyme
The Course of Honor by Lindsey Davis
4.0
3.75 stars
As old as time, slavery has always existed in one or another. This is the story of two young people who meet for the first time over the comforting scent of food. A sausage in particular. Vespasian and his brother are soldiers wandering through Rome when they smell something delicious. They are humbled when they meet Caenis, a young slave, who shares the meager portion of her meal with them. Vespasian will remember this special woman.
Caenis belonged to Antonia, a high-ranking woman. Both intelligent and cautious, her job was to write letters for her mistress. Eventually she would become Antonia's favorite. This allowed her luxuries that few slaves had such as companionship.
When Vespasian returned to Rome two years later, he sought her out. The strange part was there was an antiquated law issued by a now-dead emperor that forbade soldiers from having relationships with slaves and freed-people. Given permission to meet with him, Caenis is both leery and happy while in Vespasian's presence. She knows that any suspicious act is justification to be put to death.
Vespasian is turned away on several occasions by Caenis but it is for his own good. She is as much concerned about him as she is for herself. Each time they see each other their relationship matures. "They had become confederates. They were talking like two outsiders from society. They talked for months they had already missed and the period of Vespasian's coming tour; openly and easily, sharing rudeness and laughter, discovery and surprise; until lunchtime, and into the afternoon. They talked until they were tired."
The plot of [b:The Course of Honor|73033|The Course of Honor|Lindsey Davis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406144720l/73033._SY75_.jpg|70689] covered most of Caenis's life. My biggest complaint was getting use to the author's clipped form of speech that her characters use periodically. Also, some might be turned off by Caenis's form of arrogance when she dealt with others. But caution comes to mind, she never took anything for granted; she was raised as a slave after all. Other than that, Ms. Davis did a good job letting me take a glimpse into an era that few people write about. Her description of everyday life felt spot-on. Several times she managed to make me lose track that I was reading a book.
Be aware that this is first and foremost a book on historical fiction. It covered a horrifying time if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time: no one was safe.The unusual romance between Vespasian and Caenis had its ups and downs. Financial difficulties would haunt the soldier most of his life. Because of who they were these two would never be allowed to marry. The last decade of her life was spent separated from Vespasian on many occasions and it made for an underwhelming conclusion in [b:The Course of Honor|73033|The Course of Honor|Lindsey Davis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406144720l/73033._SY75_.jpg|70689] but it fit the storyline.
If you are expecting a wild romance with passion, look elsewhere. This is about the course of honor or cursus honorum, Latin for course of offices, and how it influenced men who aspired to hold public office during Roman times. Ms. Davis wrote an entertaining narrative. It contains flawed main characters; neither of them was beautiful or perfect. The setting is unusual and there is some delicious word-play. Take yourself out of your comfort zone, like I did, and give this book a try.
*If you enjoy Ms. Davis's style of writing, she has written a mystery series with a witty detective named Marcus Didius Falco that works on cases during Vespasian's reign as emperor.*
As old as time, slavery has always existed in one or another. This is the story of two young people who meet for the first time over the comforting scent of food. A sausage in particular. Vespasian and his brother are soldiers wandering through Rome when they smell something delicious. They are humbled when they meet Caenis, a young slave, who shares the meager portion of her meal with them. Vespasian will remember this special woman.
Caenis belonged to Antonia, a high-ranking woman. Both intelligent and cautious, her job was to write letters for her mistress. Eventually she would become Antonia's favorite. This allowed her luxuries that few slaves had such as companionship.
When Vespasian returned to Rome two years later, he sought her out. The strange part was there was an antiquated law issued by a now-dead emperor that forbade soldiers from having relationships with slaves and freed-people. Given permission to meet with him, Caenis is both leery and happy while in Vespasian's presence. She knows that any suspicious act is justification to be put to death.
Vespasian is turned away on several occasions by Caenis but it is for his own good. She is as much concerned about him as she is for herself. Each time they see each other their relationship matures. "They had become confederates. They were talking like two outsiders from society. They talked for months they had already missed and the period of Vespasian's coming tour; openly and easily, sharing rudeness and laughter, discovery and surprise; until lunchtime, and into the afternoon. They talked until they were tired."
The plot of [b:The Course of Honor|73033|The Course of Honor|Lindsey Davis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406144720l/73033._SY75_.jpg|70689] covered most of Caenis's life. My biggest complaint was getting use to the author's clipped form of speech that her characters use periodically. Also, some might be turned off by Caenis's form of arrogance when she dealt with others. But caution comes to mind, she never took anything for granted; she was raised as a slave after all. Other than that, Ms. Davis did a good job letting me take a glimpse into an era that few people write about. Her description of everyday life felt spot-on. Several times she managed to make me lose track that I was reading a book.
Be aware that this is first and foremost a book on historical fiction. It covered a horrifying time if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time: no one was safe.
If you are expecting a wild romance with passion, look elsewhere. This is about the course of honor or cursus honorum, Latin for course of offices, and how it influenced men who aspired to hold public office during Roman times. Ms. Davis wrote an entertaining narrative. It contains flawed main characters; neither of them was beautiful or perfect. The setting is unusual and there is some delicious word-play. Take yourself out of your comfort zone, like I did, and give this book a try.
*If you enjoy Ms. Davis's style of writing, she has written a mystery series with a witty detective named Marcus Didius Falco that works on cases during Vespasian's reign as emperor.*