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A review by jlynnelseauthor
Empire by Steven Saylor
4.0
Saylor is able to accomplish something that I hope my own writing is able to do: He makes ordinary lives interesting. Many Roman novels focus on soldiers, gladiators, villainous deeds by the rulers. In this book, you are privy to dinner conversations, strolls through the cities, gatherings of friends. Its not an adventure-excitement type of plot, but its fascinating. Saylor's character's comments on the new fashion of men sporting beards, the ideal look of men (from strong Greek to more feminine), women's hairstyles that said "Roman." It was about details of life that makes Saylor's books a delightful immersion into ancient mindsets, ideals, and city scapes.
Granted, one drawback was the amount of exposition that the characters would discuss (ie. sum up for the reader). This happened a lot in the first half of the book and began to get tiresome. Yet so much happened in the span of time the novel covers. I can understand why this was done, but I would have preferred a little less gossiping. But that is really my only gripe.
Some of my favorite moments include: (1) The opening of the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum), (2) the fallout from Mt. Vesuvius, & (3) the philosophical discussions.
The previous book with this family line, "Roma," was much more of a grand scale. This book "only" covers 100 years in Roman history. Saylor sums this up well in the end of the book author comments. And it truly was a sweeping time. It was about the emperors and not about the individuals as "Roma" was. I do like "Roma" better, but this book was a great dive into ancient times. Saylor is a magician in the way he is able to do that.
Granted, one drawback was the amount of exposition that the characters would discuss (ie. sum up for the reader). This happened a lot in the first half of the book and began to get tiresome. Yet so much happened in the span of time the novel covers. I can understand why this was done, but I would have preferred a little less gossiping. But that is really my only gripe.
Some of my favorite moments include: (1) The opening of the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum), (2) the fallout from Mt. Vesuvius, & (3) the philosophical discussions.
The previous book with this family line, "Roma," was much more of a grand scale. This book "only" covers 100 years in Roman history. Saylor sums this up well in the end of the book author comments. And it truly was a sweeping time. It was about the emperors and not about the individuals as "Roma" was. I do like "Roma" better, but this book was a great dive into ancient times. Saylor is a magician in the way he is able to do that.