- Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: St Martin's Press; Reissue edition (15 Oct 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312964528
- ISBN-13: 978-0312964528
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.8 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 956,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The House of the Vestals (Roma sub Rosa)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Publishers Weekly on The Venus Throw
"Engrossing ... Simmering with eroticism ... An absorbing brew of Rome's decay."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Ruth Rendell in The Sunday Times
"Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Though this book was published far later in the series, the novel actually fits in at number two in the timeline of Saylor's novels about the adventures of Gordianus `The Finder', and his family in ancient Rome. Well, that is until he publishes another back-history story, that is so frustrating to some readers.
The book is mainly a collection of short stories, set during the time period between the books `Roman Blood' and `Catalina's Riddle', which fill out some of the events in Gordianus's life, that the author felt needed filling in.
The stories themselves, whilst entertaining and filled with all the history that Saylor has researched and come to be praised for, are however far too predictable for my own liking. Indeed I found myself far more reading the short story to confirm who the `perpetrator' was, rather than waiting for some suspense filled ending. Maybe unlike other books in the series the author did not have enough pages to fill them out more, for the book is only about 300 pages, and the stories themselves only about 50 pages in length.
Maybe, also his other fiction has prepared me too well on Roman society and the devious lengths that the patricians will go to raising their profile within the Forum or the Political world, or for that matter just for their own greed !
Overall, a smooth, enjoyable book and one that would encourage me to further read more Saylor novels, but far too predictable. Those out there who like his style of writing will enjoy it, as will those who like to read about this period in history. 4 out of 5.
The book is mainly a collection of short stories, set during the time period between the books `Roman Blood' and `Catalina's Riddle', which fill out some of the events in Gordianus's life, that the author felt needed filling in.
The stories themselves, whilst entertaining and filled with all the history that Saylor has researched and come to be praised for, are however far too predictable for my own liking. Indeed I found myself far more reading the short story to confirm who the `perpetrator' was, rather than waiting for some suspense filled ending. Maybe unlike other books in the series the author did not have enough pages to fill them out more, for the book is only about 300 pages, and the stories themselves only about 50 pages in length.
Maybe, also his other fiction has prepared me too well on Roman society and the devious lengths that the patricians will go to raising their profile within the Forum or the Political world, or for that matter just for their own greed !
Overall, a smooth, enjoyable book and one that would encourage me to further read more Saylor novels, but far too predictable. Those out there who like his style of writing will enjoy it, as will those who like to read about this period in history. 4 out of 5.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great collection of short stories from, in my view, the master of Roman murder mystery fiction - interesting, amusing and at times horrible and grotesque. A great read.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a series of short adventures, wich could be placed between "Roman Blood" and "Arms of Nemesis". I have personally read all of Saylors books, except the late "Last seen in Massilia", wich I hope to read soon. I have enloyed reading all of his books so much, i can't wait.
If you have read some of his books, you will know of his friend Claudius, Catilina's adventure in the house of vestals, the Alexandrian mob after the killer of a cat, etc. Well, here you have the stories, some of when Gordianus was a young man.
I very much like his writing, and the mistery is always, and i do mean always, kept to the end. The reason i don't give it 5 stars, is because i cant place this book over any of his other novels. Impossible. It is after all, only of short stories, no matter how good they are.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The House of the Vestals
The service was good. It was a used book but was described as being in "good" condition. On arrival I thought that this was the case but on opening the book I found that the book... Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by Mr. Norman Wilson
House of the Vestals
Steven Saylor has brought considerable scholarship to his Rome Sub Rosa series, and this is one of the stronger novels in the series
Published on 28 July 2009 by J. Duncan
The Sixth book in the Sub Rosa Series
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. Read more
Published on 23 May 2007 by J. Chippindale
The Sixth Book in the Sub Rosa Series
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2006 by J. Chippindale
short whodunit stories from a writer of historical novels
Roaming the Internet a couple of months ago I stumbled across "The House of the Vestals", a new title by Steven Saylor. Ordering the book via Amazon. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 1998
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