Smooth, meticulous, gripping, entertaining and highly informative. I absolutely loved this novel by Robert Harris. It is the first in trilogy of a fictional biography of Cicero, Roman greatest orator, written as narrative told by Tiro, Cicero’s personal secretary during his public life.
Harris’s approach in writing a biography from Tiro’s perspective is brilliant! Tiro is recalling the life of Cicero during the thirty six years he served as his personal secretary; writing down his speeches and letters, carrying secret messages and witnessing private meetings.Tiro followed,closely and first hand, Cicero's journey towards imperium;defined by Tiro as "the power of life and death, as vested by the state in an individual”. If someone knows so much about Cicero’s career and personality, it has to be Tiro. And yet, at the same time, Tiro is trying to maintain his loyalty to Cicero. By trying to accomplish the first, while preserving the latter, Tiro creates a complex character of Cicero, which I believe to be true.
The novel takes off with the trial of Verres, the corrupt Roman governor of the province of Sicily(supported by the high senators of Rome’s distinguished families), who was prosecuted by Cicero. Cicero wins the trial and with it the support of many Romans who saw Cicero as the change from aristocracy, and the man that will stand in the face of injustice no matter what. The novel then takes us through the political career of Cicero until the day he won the consulship of Rome, making him the first and last man”without family, fortune, or force of arms to assist him” ,who managed to achieve supreme imperium with the Roman consulship, using only his voice.
In the author's note, Harris writes:"Although Imperium is a novel, the majority of the events it describes did actually happen;the remainder at least could have happened; and nothing, I hope(a hostage to fortune,this),demonstrably did not happen." And although I detected some anachronisms, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and was totally immersed in it. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Ancient Rome, history or just a well written novel, Robert Harris does not disappoint.I can hardly wait for Lustrum, the second book of the trilogy, which is already available in Canada and the UK, and hopefully it will get here soon.
Comments (8)
Hi Candi, great book review. Sounds like an excellent book. I will put it on my must read list.
Thanks for writing this review and sharing your thoughts.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 25, 2009 6:25 AM
Posted on June 25, 2009 06:25
Thanks for the review, it sounds really interesting. And how great that there are two more in the series to look forward to.
Posted by Annie | June 25, 2009 8:49 AM
Posted on June 25, 2009 08:49
Great review, someone else told me about these books too, I really need to get around to reading this one.
Posted by Chiocciola | June 25, 2009 6:27 PM
Posted on June 25, 2009 18:27
Sounds like my type of book. I'll check it out as soon as I'm finished with the Donna Leon books.
Posted by María I. | June 26, 2009 9:25 AM
Posted on June 26, 2009 09:25
Very interesting review, Candi. I've heard of this author as well, and it sounds like he has taken a unique approach as well as telling a great story!
Posted by sandrac | June 27, 2009 5:06 PM
Posted on June 27, 2009 17:06
Thanks for the great review, Candi. I'll have a look for these books, they sound really interesting. My mom and sister also love books on ancient Rome, maybe I'll give them each one for Christmas and we can have fun sharing!
Posted by Anne | June 29, 2009 6:28 PM
Posted on June 29, 2009 18:28
How does this novel foreshadow the end of the Roman Empire?
Posted by Clint | September 9, 2009 4:33 PM
Posted on September 9, 2009 16:33
Clint,
The events of the novel take place during the period Cicero was establishing his political career in the Republic, and it ends as Cicero is elected Roman Consul.
Posted by candi | September 23, 2009 1:34 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 13:34