Roman Blood (Gordianus the Finder 1)
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Review
"Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking, his writing enthrals." Ruth Rendell "Engrossing... Simmering with eroticism... An absorbing brew of Rome's decay." Publishers Weekly on The Venus Throw "How wonderful, to have a scholar write about ancient Rome; how comforting, to feel instant confidence in the historical accuracy of a novel." Sunday Times"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
The highly regarded first book in Steven Saylor's Gordianus series which is being reissued with brand new covers to tie-in with the highly successful look of Roma and Empire.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Roman Blood, the first of Steven Saylor's Sub Rosa series of novels, introduces Gordianus the Finder and his family, fictional characters who become increasingly memorable and claim a hold on our affections and sympathetic concern as they interact throughout the series with many famous historical characters, Julius Caesar, Pompey The Great, Cicero, and Spartacus being the best known. The lawlessness of a great city - Rome - without a police force; the brutal treatment of slaves as chattel; the political intrigues and assassinations - all are faithfully portrayed in historically accurate and authentic detail. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of these novels is their overlay of modern liberal values represented by the fictional narrator, who manumits (frees) and marries his Egyptian concubine, Bethesda, adopts two slaves as his sons, understands and accepts the independence and sovereignty of women, reveres and serves the truth as much as Diogenes, and evinces a genuine religious piety. The characters are memorably drawn and individuated, and the finder's daughter, whose patronymic name Gordiana is shortened to Diana, is perhaps the most appealing daughter in literature since Cordelia. Like all works of a master spirit, these books provide an edifying education, with recognizable allusions to ancient as well as Elizabethan literature, and they contain flashes of sardonic humor appropriate to the anatomy of the human condition that they reveal. They are among the very best of modern recreations of that peculiar combination of greatness and squalor that was ancient Rome.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I stumbled across this book quite by hazard but was hooked from the very first page. Gordianus, 'the last honest man in Rome', is thoroughly believable because - how rare this has become in historical thrillers and novels - he is depicted as a real human being with real emotions (happiness, joy, sadness, jealousy, you name it) instead of a one-dimensional puppet.
The setting is very well drawn and the plot engrossing, the hours you'll spend reading this book will afterwards feel as if you've stepped back in time. What more can one ask for? I for one immediately went after all the other books in the series.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is, simply, one of the best historical novels I have read (and I've read a few). There's no point in wasting hundreds of words on it - just read it and enjoy a superb story (based on Cicero's first major trial) with a realistic portrayal of Republican Rome.
Then, when you've done with that, read the other Gordianus books - you won't regret it!
So there!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Top historical fiction
More serious than the Falco novels in terms of tone, but still with a sense of humour. I would say these are more historically accurate in terms of relationships, etc. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Adeyman
A superb, well researched historical mystery. Highly recommended
I really enjoyed this novel, which from the outset submerges you into the sights, sounds, smells and intrigues of ancient Rome. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Avid Reader
Ancient Rome brought to life
One of the things I love about my kindle is the ease with which I can search through many lists of books and discover new authors (new to me in fact). Read more
Published 25 days ago by Kindle lover
Terrific read.
Saylor knows his subject and has created a cracking good read that is also informative. Read this book in one sitting and I am looking forward to reading the rest. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Megan
Fantastic Historical Crime Fiction
I greatly enjoyed this. I thought that it worked as crime fiction and as historical fiction.
There is a fair bit of exposition and historical background especially early... Read more
There is a fair bit of exposition and historical background especially early... Read more
Published 1 month ago by The Emperor
Roman Blood
This item was bought as a Christmas gift and I believe it was greatfully received as the title had been requested.
Published 4 months ago by V. Kucharska
Addicted to Gordianus
This is the first book in the 'Sub Rosa' series. I started reading them out of order and have become addicted. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Alchamillamollis
Roman Blood
A superb story, Saylor has successfully captured the tastes and smells of 80 BC Rome . Link this with a detective with a difference, who always gets his man, and one is hooked from... Read more
Published 23 months ago by J. L. Palmer
Roman Blood
A combination Miss Marple and Poirot, this story has all the ingredients of an exceptional detective story. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2009 by Basilica
First Book in an Excellent Series
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began in his childhood. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. Read more
Published on 4 April 2008 by J. Chippindale
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