Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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Hero of Rome
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NOVEMBER 2013 (Group Read 1) Hero of Rome by Douglas Jackson
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Jane
(last edited Nov 14, 2013 09:12AM)
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 14, 2013 09:10AM
unrelentingly brutal'--I try to stay away from those novels, though I do think a certain judicious, moderate amount is enough to get the idea of brutality across.
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Oh, I'm fine with brutality. :) It's gratuitous brutality meant to appeal to our baser natures that bothers me.
Justin wrote: "Oh, I'm fine with brutality. :) It's gratuitous brutality meant to appeal to our baser natures that bothers me."agreed! Golden Mean. 'appealing to our baser natures' sickens me.
I have reserved Hero of Rome at my library. Will start it as soon as I finish Sworn Sword.
Silver wrote: ".I think that the portrayal shown thus far seems to be fairly accurate. One of the things I was thinking while reading this book is that it reminded me of some of the other books we have read, particularly about King Arthur which deals which also dealt with the Celts during the period of Roman rule. .."Is The Winter King the particular one that you were thinking of? Or was it The Skystone?
Justin wrote: ". I also want to thank the moderators of this group for picking this book! .."That would be me. :) I pick the two books in each poll, but you all still vote the winner in. So those who voted on HoR have done good it appears. ;)
Terri wrote: "Silver wrote: ".I think that the portrayal shown thus far seems to be fairly accurate. One of the things I was thinking while reading this book is that it reminded me of some of the other books we ..."The Skystone is the one that most came into my mind while reading this.
Justin wrote: "Oh, I'm fine with brutality. :) It's gratuitous brutality meant to appeal to our baser natures that bothers me."Well put. That is precisely my thoughts on brutality too. It is the gratuitous brutality that repels me. I don't like it in movies. I don't like it on tv and I sure as heck don't like it in books.
Silver wrote: ".The Skystone is the one that most came into my mind while reading this. .."I thought it may be that one. Just as I was adding the link for The Winter King I realised Skystone probably fit your description better.
Terri wrote: "That would be me. :) I pick the two books in each poll, but you all still vote the winner in. So those..."I can honestly say, Terri, that you have had a great impact on my reading and my tastes. I'm glad for it.
I am really happy that is the case. Sometimes we don't know some of these books are out there and we just need to be introduced.
Sometimes we know they are out there but need a little push or a little more information to help us make up our minds.
That is my aim with the Group Read Polls. To get all these books under your noses so you cannot resist. ;)
Terri wrote: "Sometimes we know they are out there but need a little push or a little more information to help us make up our minds...."I have a list for you then.... :)
That sounds ominous, Dawn.
Don't worry, it's only 25 books that I need a little incentive to get started! :)
Terri wrote: "Justin wrote: ". I also want to thank the moderators of this group for picking this book! .."That would be me. :) I pick the two books in each poll, but you all still vote the winner in. So those..."
I read whichever appeals more, win or lose. Each month in this 'virtual bookstore' or 'virtual library' all four choices are staring at me.
Dawn wrote: "Terri wrote: "Not a huge amount of feedback happening on HoR. Lots over on Sworn Sword, not much here.Why is that do you all think?"
Too many people like it. Not enough dissension! :)"
You're right on that. But I have found several questions to ask to clarify things. Powell's just notified me they've sent out the others in the series, so I should have them in the next couple of weeks.
Jane wrote: "I read whichever appeals more, win or lose. Each month in this 'virtual bookstore' or 'virtual library' all four choices are staring at me. "Me too. And if I have time, and can find them, they are both on my list. I have been recommended so much fine fiction in this group, from the polls or from users, this is best book club I have been in.
Jane wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Terri wrote: "Not a huge amount of feedback happening on HoR. Lots over on Sworn Sword, not much here.Why is that do you all think?"
Too many people like it. Not enough dissension! ..."
There has been discussion on violence in literature here, it shall pickup a bit I think. A good book in my opinion, and I will read the rest in the series.
Daniel wrote: "Jane wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Terri wrote: "Not a huge amount of feedback happening on HoR. Lots over on Sworn Sword, not much here.Why is that do you all think?"
Too many people like it. Not enough..."
Daniel wrote: "Jane wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Terri wrote: "Not a huge amount of feedback happening on HoR. Lots over on Sworn Sword, not much here.
Why is that do you all think?"
Too many people like it. Not enough..."
Same here! Most, but not all, recently-written Roman military fiction has put me off because of negatives we've discussed here but this is a recent series I'm really sure I'll enjoy.
I'm somewhere in the 2/3rds-done range of the book, and the violence (and emotional investment on my part) has really picked up. It's hard not to hate Romans right now, or at least root for the Iceni.
Justin wrote: "I'm somewhere in the 2/3rds-done range of the book, and the violence (and emotional investment on my part) has really picked up. It's hard not to hate Romans right now, or at least root for the Iceni."I especially search out Roman Britain books with sympathetic indigenous tribes' points of view, if I can find such novels. Romans-as-heroes can become old-hat. I liked Jackson's treatment of the Boudicca episode and aftermath; Jackson showed some originality. I'm glad Jackson has shown good and bad on each side.
Justin wrote: "I'm somewhere in the 2/3rds-done range of the book, and the violence (and emotional investment on my part) has really picked up. It's hard not to hate Romans right now, or at least root for the Iceni."That is one of the difficulties I always have when reading books like this, though it is a subject I enjoy and find interesting. From a historical point of view I can admire what the Romans have achieved and accomplished, and they certainly are quite a fascinating subject. But from a personal point of view I am completely Pro-Celt. In part because I come from Celtic stock myself. So I always want to root for the Celts even though I know they are a hopeless case and I cannot really side with the Romans. When I am reading books like this I am always like Boo Romans!
At first I was reluctant about this book because the very title of it suggested that it would view things from the Roman point of view, and possibly have a pro-Roman perspective on things, but I was tempted to it by the mention of Boudicca and so far I have liked the way in which the author has handled the conflict and interaction between Roman and Celt.
This is the part where the story gets compelling for me, talking about dominant peoples and those they've conquered and how they interact. That's a drama that has been played out since time immemorial.
Justin wrote: "I'm somewhere in the 2/3rds-done range of the book, and the violence (and emotional investment on my part) has really picked up. It's hard not to hate Romans right now, or at least root for the Iceni."I know I have said it plenty of times...but I always root for the Iceni. Actually, I always root for whoever is up against the Romans. :)
Is Boudicca very present as a walking, talking character in the novel?
I haven't seen much of her. Given the description of the book, I was expecting more of her, and much earlier on.
Justin wrote: "I haven't seen much of her. Given the description of the book, I was expecting more of her, and much earlier on."Not really until later on.
Anyone got more reviews of this book to share? Please feel free to add a link to your review...positive or negative it doesn't matter. All opinions are valid.Also, has anybody moved on to book two yet? Or are planning to soon?
The book has gotten better as it's gone along. Valerius is increasingly complex and sympathetic. I find myself rooting for him, even though I can't help but also root for the Iceni. I like that a book can cause that kind of conflict inside a reader.
That's good. Not just a tough action man then? A character with some reading worth.
I didn't feel much of a connection for him at first. Not much about his background made him compelling. But now that he's making some honest and dire sacrifices and some incredibly tough decisions I care a lot more.
Glad he has rounded out more for you. Stories cannot hold strong if they are full of cardboard characters. Eventually the reader loses interest if the depth isn't there.
Justin wrote: "I didn't feel much of a connection for him at first. Not much about his background made him compelling. But now that he's making some honest and dire sacrifices and some incredibly tough decisions ..."Yes, I agree. He became more human to me as the book progressed--with human flaws and emotions and faced with tough choices. When I read the physical description, I immediately thought of a 'Dick Tracy' omnipotent character [but without wristwatch radio :)]
He's become much deeper than that, though.
Yes, I'm planning to read the others in the series; in fact they've all been on order and will come by mail soon.
Buying the next books in the series is probably the best review an author can hope for.
Jane wrote: "Here's my review, Terri:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8..."
I have reads yours, Jane. :) I think you posted it earlier in the thread?? I am fairly sure.
You could be right; I wasn't sure. Sometimes I do post reviews here and sometimes not.
I started to read this novel quite some time ago, but did not get past half point. To me the structure and story felt uninspired, I'll try to finish now to see if it it gets any better.My main problem is how the arch enemy (who by character and dynamic brings to my mind Obadiah Hakeswill from the Sharpe -series) is dealt with - I felt that the author perhaps was not able to cultivate this plot line enough and took the easy way out.
Now you are making me even more curious about this book.
Justin wrote: "The book has gotten better as it's gone along. Valerius is increasingly complex and sympathetic. I find myself rooting for him, even though I can't help but also root for the Iceni. I like that a b..."I found myself sort of begrudgingly liking Valerius in spite of the fact that he is a Roman, but at the very he least he does try (at least thus far in the book) to deal with the Celts fairly and with justice, and becomes angered at Roman injustice against them. He is an honorable man and I think well intentioned.
Silver wrote: "Justin wrote: "The book has gotten better as it's gone along. Valerius is increasingly complex and sympathetic. I find myself rooting for him, even though I can't help but also root for the Iceni. ..."I hope he continues the same decency and honor towards whatever foes he will be up against in the following books in the series.
Jane wrote: "Silver wrote: "Justin wrote: "The book has gotten better as it's gone along. Valerius is increasingly complex and sympathetic. I find myself rooting for him, even though I can't help but also root ..."Yes, he's thoroughly decent and honest, it's one of the things that drives plot lines in future books.
Oh good, Steven, thank you for that; I'm so glad you clued me in!! Now--if only Ruso [120 AD], Cassius Corbulo [270 AD] and Valerius lived at the same time and place and could become friends... :)
Jane, that would be an amazing trio. Imagine what they could accomplish. And what trouble they would find themselves in.
Absolutely!! And Ruso could patch up the other two! :)
I really, really enjoyed Hero of Rome!
That's great, John. :)
Jane? You out there?I saw you gave book #2 4 stars! That bodes well for you and this series.
Defender of Rome
Yup, I'm here! I'm really enjoying this series: good stories, good characterization, minimal swearing and coarseness, no graphic sex. I own all 4, but I'm learning from my unfortunate King Arthur experience; I'm not reading one immediately after the other. I'm trying to give Varius a rest and let him recover from his wounds. :) I'm reading some unrelated books in between, then coming back to him.
Good idea. I have ruined many a series for myself by reading them too close together. :)
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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The Winter King (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Angus Donald (other topics)M.C. Scott (other topics)
James Aitcheson (other topics)
