Pompeii

Rating:
Summary: Erupts Mildly
Review: Pompeii is interesting from a historical standpoint because in 79 A. D. it was buried by rock and lava from the nearby volcano, Mt. Vesuvius. It was therefore preserved in its intact state for many centuries until it was excavated in the last century, and now stands today as a mostly uncorrupted example of and ancient Roman town. So when you see a book with this title you don't exactly have to be a genius to figure out what eventually is going to happen. Nevertheless, it is an interesting tale and seems to be an accurate representation of life in the ancient Roman empire.

The story has to do with an "aquarius," who is a fellow whose job it was to maintain the architecturally impressive Roman aqueduct system. He comes to the area after the previous guy disappears, and one of the subplots of the novel is how this happened. As a precursor to the event we all know is coming, there is also a rupture in the aqueduct system he must find and fix, which requires him to interact with various historical and fictional personages of the day. This is pretty much the plot before the big one hits, and it's at least mildly interesting.

The historical detail also seems to be accurate and is also interesting. One gets a pretty good sense of life in an ancient Roman town. There is a memorable meal ending with a purge at a wealthy fellow's home. There is an investigative visit to a house of prostitution and a description of the building and the ribald goings-on there. There are descriptions of clothes and tools and weapons and other ancient paraphernalia.

Things of course pick up a little after Vesuvius blows up and this is also well described. Interestingly, the thing was witnessed by a Roman historian, Pliny--who is an important character here--and the events described in this novel accurately reflect his observations. After the first explosion rocks literally rained from the sky, filled the bay, and were eight feet deep in some places in Pompeii. It then blew up again, and of course things became much worse.

All in all, it's a pretty good, light read. There's not a lot of depth to the characterizations, though, and although the historical aspect is accurate, one would not really describe it as being richly detailed. One can't help but wish there was a little more to it.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed it more than I expected
Review: I bought this book two months ago, along with several other novels and guidebooks, to help me prepare for a trip to Italy. I read a few reviews that were less than favorable and was a bit worried that the book would get tied down in engineering prose about aquaducts... Don't get me wrong. I am curious about the technology of such amazing architectural feats... but I would need visuals to tackle such a topic.
Needless to say, I was totally surprised at how much of a #pager-turner# this was for me. I began and finished the novel on the subway, with several reading breaks snuck in at home and basically whenever I could (standing on the street waiting for a bus, etc.). I was wholly engrossed by the first pages and hated arriving at my destinations and having to put the book down until the next ride.
If you are the type to fantasize about what it might have been like to witness life under the Roman empire and in the fateful city of Pompeii, I would recommend this book. I am generally a skeptic when it comes to historical fiction and documentaries that attempt to put a face on ruins and skeletons, but this book failed to offend my sensibilities. I gave it four stars rather than five only because I am sure there will be some historians who challenge some of the facts or liberties taken by the author and because I was so disappointed to finish the novel! As for wanting more, I do!!! Now who will write a nice non-fiction that delves into some of the details that Harris attempts to recreate??

Rating:
Summary: Nothing but great fun
Review: Of the three great reads I've come across lately, POMPEII is definitely the best. For one thing, it was well-written and expertly paced--something a few other authors could take lessons in. For another, it wasn't about the volcano that much but rather human relationships. The settings and descriptions were full of life (at least for a while . . .) and the time just flew by reading this wonderful story. Would also recommend THE BIRTH OF VENUS as another great read, along with THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. Both are excellent and on the same level as this book.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: I picked this up "for an hour" and fininshed at ten thirty at night. Having been to Pompeeii I could just see the action, .
For a great summer read, you can't go wrong.

Rating:
Summary: Sure beats "Last Days of Pompeii"!
Review: This is a terrific novel for the geek-at-heart, a historical set in the two days in AD 79 just before the explosion of Vesuvius that destroyed several of the towns set like jewels along the Bay of Naples. The protagonist is the young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus, newly appointed 'aquarius', or manager, of the sixty-mile-long Aqua Augusta aqueduct. He's only been on the job a few days when the water supply fails and he has to find and fix the problem or face an inquiry and the probable failure of his career. That means dealing with corrupt local officials -- especially Numerus Popidius Ampliatus, a freed slave who has become the main political power in Pompeii -- and also with Pliny, the great naturalist who is serving as admiral of the Roman fleet harbored at one end of the Bay. He's not getting much corruption from his own subordinates, either, but they have their own agendas. Of course, we know what caused the buckling that shut off the aquaduct, and we know why the water smells of sulphur, and why the fish in the offshore pens have died, but Harris does an excellent job building the suspense. Will Attilius be able to do his job? Will he survive the plotting of Ampliatus, and get together with his daughter? Will any of them survive the eruption? The plot is a dead run from the first page, the writing is plain and straightforward (no need to invent drama here), and even though we know how it will end, we don't know all the details.

Rating:
Summary: Apollo's Visions
Review: Harris' Pompeii does a very good job of combining history with fiction. Through the research I have done, I have found the novel to be very historically accurate. This is a plus for the book considering the fictional plot is very simple and doesn't have a lot of development to it. The characters also are one-dimensional for the most part, all though there is some change in attitudes in Ampliatus, Corelia, and Attilus. This doesn't bring down the book though, because the way Harris uses historical data to make the novel interesting is superb. I found it to be a book I couldn't put down, as I always wanted to see what would happen on the next page. I was a little disappointed with the ending of the book. I felt like Harris did a good job of building up to the climax, but then the book just seemed to drop off. Almost as if the last chapter was missing. This is the only complaint I have of the novel. Overall packed with high energy and lots of excitement. A good and easy pleasure read. Recommend to all.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Weekend Read
Review: I enjoyed the novel Pompeii very much but I wouldn't consider it a great book. Some parts of it dragged but, there were many interesting scenes. I was very interested in the Augusta Adequate and the dailey life of the Romans. There were a few surprizes. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction. Someone in my book discussion group wants us to read this but, I feel that although it's entertaining , there's not much to discuss.

Rating:
Summary: Words of the Goddess Athena
Review: Overall I would consider this book a good read. It is definitely fast paced with a good developing story. However, once the story is developed it ends abruptly. The book left me wanting more of a conclusion. I would have enjoyed Harris writing an additional five chapters in order to conclude in a way that would be appealing to me. I feel that Harris could have expanded more on the ending because it came across very blunt. The rising actions were developed well but the climax seemed to come towards the end of the book, which caused a rushed falling action and conclusion. The attention that the eruption actually received was very minimal which caused for a few tedious moments throughout the book.
It is a great book when discussing the history of the ancient Roman people and their way of life. It is obvious that Harris is an extraordinary historian, but his ability at creating the fiction to this historical fiction novel seemed to be difficult for him. Harris' ability to incorporate his historical knowledge into the book came naturally and was very informative. If you are interested in a very educating and enlightening book then this is a great pick.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing considering
Review: The book started out okay, but went down hill from there. I don't think characters and plot lines were developed as well as they could have been. Very disappointing considering how interesting the subject matter is. I found my mind wandering countless times while reading the book. It almost became a chore to pick it up where I left off. I just felt like something was missing throughout the read. I definitely do not recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful novel
Review: Robert Harris's Pompeii is the perfect combination of factual history and enticing plot that captivates readers from the very first page till the last. Once I began to read this novel, I literally couldn't put it down! I found Harris's depiction of Roman life to be very accurate and gave the reader a great view into the world of the typical Roman. Harris lays the foundation for the reader by providing brief descriptions of many elements of Roman life without straying from the plot too much. He skillfully unravels the plot with precise timing adding the just the right amount of suspense. This novel is far more than the story of Mount Vesuvius erupting; in fact most of the novel takes place before the eruption.

Harris allows the reader to see through the eyes of many different people living throughout the Roman Empire. He not only examines the wealthy patrician class but also slaves and "middle class" Romans. I believe the best part of Pompeii is the characters, because inevitably we all know Mount Vesuvius is going to erupt. I have to admit I was disappointed with Harris's ending. He so gracefully laid out the plot of Pompeii only to end the book in a mere two pages. It seems as though he took his time developing the story then hurried to end it. Overall, I thought this was a really good book, but the ending was disappointing.