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Summary: Gordianus is finding out he doesn't know very much in Rome
Review: I've liked Saylor's books in the past because of two principle reasons: the mystery is solved in a plausible way for that period and the dynamics of the institution of slavery are played out well. In the past, Gordianus is dealing with political struggles and economic gains but in this book something is tackled: the unequal dynamic between the .... Almost everything Gordianus thinks he knows about women is challenged and thrown out in this one book. This is where Saylor himself is stepping out of the "historical knowns" and stepping into spectulation. However, the spectulation is also reasonable given what is know about gender, ... and ... dynamics for the late Roman Republic. Also this is a very urban and family focused book, reflecting again the increasingly personal nature of the arguable decay in politics and society during this time. This book is more explicit so if the directness of Saylor's writing has been uncomfortable for you in the past, be forewarned; for those of us who could handle even more expliciteness, its a bit better.
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Summary: My favorite within the series
Review: I've read almost all of Saylor's Roman mysteries (save for Myst of Prophecies), and I think this one is the best. In this novel, the author turns his attention towards Alexandria, and the instability facing the Ptolemaic dynasty. We will remember from history that an unofficial Alexandrian delegation tried to reach the Roman senate (which included the philosopher Dio), only to be assassinated outside of Rome. Since the delegation was against Ptolemy, he has long been suspected. But Saylor offers a fictional alternative that will surprise most readers.The Roman poet Catullus is also introduced in this book, and Saylor does a delightful job bringing this character to life. The poet is cyncial and comical, and certainly one of the author's most memorable figures.
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Summary: My favorite within the series
Review: I've read almost all of Saylor's Roman mysteries (save for Myst of Prophecies), and I think this one is the best. In this novel, the author turns his attention towards Alexandria, and the instability facing the Ptolemaic dynasty. We will remember from history that an unofficial Alexandrian delegation tried to reach the Roman senate (which included the philosopher Dio), only to be assassinated outside of Rome. Since the delegation was against Ptolemy, he has long been suspected. But Saylor offers a fictional alternative that will surprise most readers. The Roman poet Catullus is also introduced in this book, and Saylor does a delightful job bringing this character to life. The poet is cyncial and comical, and certainly one of the author's most memorable figures.
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Summary: Venus Throw - Another Fine Pitch
Review: Saylor lives up to the high standard he set in the earlier Gordianus novels, delivering a novel with fascinating characters and an intricate plot, set against a deteriorating Roman Republic. More and more, though, one has to wonder if Gordianus is truly deserving of his "Finder" title; he seems to never discover the truth except by accident or divine intervention! Gordianus' forensic abilities aside, however, The Venus Throw is a highly enjoyable read, worth every penny.
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Summary: Great book
Review: Saylor's work is, as always, excellent. This one focusses on the power struggles of Rome's elite in the late Republic...and on how the various loves and lusts in that elite cause nasty thingsto happen. In addition to providing an anecdote about pointing fingers and guilt that no reader will soon forget, this book really brings Rome to life...and reminds the reader that some things are eternal.
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Summary: An adequate read, not more
Review: Set against the cultural milieu of Rome in the declining days of the Republic, Gordianus the Finder goes about his business somewhat incongruously as a displaced 1990's American detective, complete with American attitudes and vices. Gordianus looks to solve the mystery of the murder of an old mentor, Dio, who had come to Rome as part of a political delegation from Alexandria. The story, well-woven enough if you overlook the adolescent voyeuristic descriptions of nude bathers and swimmers, weaves a plot through the streets and neighborhoods of ancient Rome. At least in this the author succeeds,the neighborhoods, the markets, the crowds of ancient Rome seem to come alive. Character development is disappointingly incomplete and shallow, the characters themselves lack complexity and seem to shift from an ancient Roman to a contemporary footing, and then back again, as if they can't make up their minds which time period they belong to. As a result the story doesn't quite pull you in. Where the author fails to hold attention or build suspense with mystery (really no mystery at all), he titillates with descriptions of orgies, castration and yes, even child abuse--perhaps a little too debauched even for the Rome of this period. A disappointment--an adequate read at best, and in 30 years, I'm sure the author himself will agree.
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Summary: An excellent read! Couldn't put it down!
Review: the book wsa excellent! i couldn't put it down. it has inspired me to go and find other books of the same sort and read about roman history in an extremely fun way!
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Summary: A complex mystery that is hard to forget...
Review: The Venus Throw is a fabulous book on all levels. It has political intrigue, a complex mystery and characters that seem alive. Saylor skillfully deals with such harsh topics as slave abuse and rape in a most sympathetic matter. This book is also a great example of how far obsessive love and infatuation can go. The themes stick in the readers mind to really make you think. How could such a seemingly organized and orderly society be home to such greed and terror and abuse? The ballance between fiction and fact is superb.
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Summary: Where's the Mystery?
Review: The Venus Throw is supposed to be an ancient historical mystery. That is, a mystery novel that is set in ancient history. Problem is that there is no real mystery and the historical detail is faulty. This is a novel in which the characters act like modern day folks instead of authentic Romans. The novel starts out with the murder of an Egyptian ambassador to Rome. However, the reader can easily figure out just who did it in just the first few chapters. The only thing that the rest of the book does is to provide the "why" in the whodunit. The explanation as to the motives behind the murder is laughable. Basically, this is a novelette with about 250 pages of padding which makes for dull reading. There is hardly any suspense in this suspense novel. The characters, save for Clodia, are not particularly well drawn and are generally not much more than mere cardboard. There are several historical errors as well that mar the learning experience that you are supposed to have while reading a historical novel. In sum, The Venus Throw is a novel to avoid.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the Mystery?
Review: The Venus Throw is supposed to be an ancient historical mystery. That is, a mystery novel that is set in ancient history. Problem is that there is no real mystery and the historical detail is faulty. This is a novel in which the characters act like modern day folks instead of authentic Romans. The novel starts out with the murder of an Egyptian ambassador to Rome. However, the reader can easily figure out just who did it in just the first few chapters. The only thing that the rest of the book does is to provide the "why" in the whodunit. The explanation as to the motives behind the murder is laughable. Basically, this is a novelette with about 250 pages of padding which makes for dull reading. There is hardly any suspense in this suspense novel. The characters, save for Clodia, are not particularly well drawn and are generally not much more than mere cardboard. There are several historical errors as well that mar the learning experience that you are supposed to have while reading a historical novel. In sum, The Venus Throw is a novel to avoid.
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