Catilina's Riddle

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not much of a mystery novel
Review: Catalina's Riddle is my favorite of the three Steven Saylor mysteries I've read so far, yet the mystery content seems almost tacked-on. There are some fascinating insights into Roman agrarian and political life, including some information I'd never heard of before. Saylor really makes you think about the opposing characters of Cicero and Catalina, and at times it's difficult to reconcile their characters with what classicists and history have to say about them. If Saylor had sold this as a simple historical novel, I'd have given it a 10, but as it's supposed to be a mystery, it loses a few points. Definitely recommended to those who are interested in Ancient Rome

Rating:
Summary: NOT TOO SHABBY
Review: CATALINA'S RIDDLE WAS AN INTRIGUING BOOK. THE CHARACTERS WERE DYNAMIC AND THE IMAGERY WAS IMPRESSIVE. I CAN ACTUALLY PICTURE THE ROMAN FORUM NOW WITH THE CROWDS AND POLITIONS. THE BOOK WAS A BIT LONG, SOME SCENES SEEMED UNNECESSARY, BUT OVERALL I WASN'T DISAPPOINTED. SOME CHARACTERS I LIKED WERE GORDIANNUS--HE IS SMART, YET TOO DUMB TO STAY OUT OF POLITICS (UNLESS HE TRULY WANTS TO BE THERE...) BETHESDA--SHE IS THE MATRIARCH OF THE HOUSEHOLD, NO MATTER WHAT GORDIANNUS THINKS. DIANA- IS AN INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL, NO DOUBT SHE WISENED UP TO CONSPIRCAY AFTER HER NIGHT WITH THE LEMURES, THOUGH. METO--IS HONORABLE. ALL HE WANTS TO DO IS GROW UP, YET HE KEEPS ACTING LIKE A BOY WITH ALL THE RUNNING AWAY AND STUFF. CATALINA- INTRIGUING. I NEVER KNEW IF HE WAS TELLING THE REAL STORY OR IF HE WAS TRULY BEING HIMSELF WHEN HE CONFIDED IN GORDIANNUS OVERALL, GOOD BOOK. GLAD I READ IT, I LEARNED TONS ABOUT JUST HOW CORRUPTED ROME WAS. **NOTE TO "JIMBO" LETS READ SOME MORE, I LEARN MORE IN YOUR CLASS THAN IN ANY ENGLISH OR THEOLOGY DISCUSSION, THANKS

Rating:
Summary: Carly's review of Catilina's Riddle
Review: Catilina's Riddle by Steven Saylor was an extremely suspenseful and enjoyful book. It was very mysterious and mindboggling. A classic whodunit! Page after page, you could never tell what was going to happen next. The descriptions of Rome and daily Roman life seemed extrememly authentic (to my knowledge...I have not been to Rome yet to make sure). It was very interesting learning about simeple Roman practices while being entraped in a splendid mystery. It also teaches you great lessons about bravery and loyalty. Meto (the protagionist's son) teaches us to always follow our hearts...no matter what the consequence! Catilina's Riddle is highly suggested for mystery and history lovers alike! Even if you do not like mystery or history, read it anyways!

Rating:
Summary: A Mystery from Ancient History
Review: Catilina's Riddle is a delightful blend of the historical fiction and "whodunit" murder mystery genres. Saylor takes time in developing complex characters, provoking the marble effigies of toga-clad senators to speak. His book stands as evidence that political intrigue is as ancient as murder. As a mystery it is better than some, though don't expect the plot-twisting mastery of Dame Agatha. As historical fiction, the well- researched novel packs more history per square inch than most novels on the market. It is a good, though lengthy read: recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Catilina's Riddle
Review: Catilina's Riddle is an excellent,and compelling murder mystery. This novel allows you to slip into the past unnoticed, and marval at the magnificance of Rome. You are able to live two lives, one in the busy city of Rome, and the other on a farm in the country side. This book allows you to see the postitve and negitive aspects of both lives. While you are constantly forced to compare appearance and reality (things are not always as they seem). Gordonius and his family tried to escape the city, only to realize that what they were running from was everywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Headless Bodies
Review: Catilina's Riddle is an exceptional book. I am usually not a person who likes historical fiction, but this book proved that it's possible. Through its compelling characters and its intriguing plot, I was on the edge of my seat many times. I would recommend this book to both sexes- it doesn't pertain to just a guy or a girl. You don't have to have any knowledge or understanding of the Roman civilization or the Latin language to read this well written novel. This book teaches you many life lessons, and I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Quasi OK
Review: Catilina's Riddle is an interesting, informative, and mildly enthralling read for anyone vaguely interested in ancient Rome. Its entertainment qualities, however, leave something to be desired. Steven Saylor, undoubtedly an expert on the Catilinian Conspiracies of ancient Rome, sometimes dwells too long on the inocuous and the laboriously tedious details of politics. Yes, to a certain degree, the added details also add to the fullness of the novel. At many times, however, they slow the already lethargic pace of the novel to a nearly stagnant standstill. This could almost be a textbook on the Catilinian Conspiracies, had Saylor not used a nominal amount of poetic licensing. Although the aforementioned points are true about the book, I must say that at parts I found myself enthralled. Yes, on certain occassions when I had nothing else to do, I found myself wanting to read it. One note about the book: it is written in a detectable sexual tone. (Mainly homosexual.) When one reads the book one can only imagine how sexually provocative Catilina was, at least according to Saylor, as his sexual attractions to other men are unabashedly reported. Although this tone exists throughout the entire book, I can say that it was incorporated well, but left me reminding myself at the turn of each page that I wasn't reading something written by Harold Robbins, or Danielle Steel. If you have nothing else to read and love ancient Rome (as well as a pretty nice surprise ending) read Catilina's Riddle; otherwise, go read the Bible, you may find more excitement there.

Rating:
Summary: had to read it for school, but overall good book
Review: Catilina's Riddle was a decent book. I have read better and have read worse. It offers great insight into the Catilinarian conspiracies which has never been offered by history. The one thing that I disliked about the book was that some parts I felt were too slow. Being a 450+ page book, there are bound to be slow parts, but I felt the author dwelt too much on the Roman Civilization. I enjoyed very much the action parts and the parts which dealt with the mystery of the story, because the author developed those very well. However, I was not very interested in the learning the background of the story as much the author did. The background might be your favorite part of the book, but it was not for me. --- steve brown

Rating:
Summary: not so bad
Review: Catilina's Riddle was not the worst book I have ever read. The story itself is very busy, which helps because if you're not too intrested in one aspect of the book, it quickly switches to a story line which hopefully suits your taste better. The book is classified as a mytery. As a mystery, I must confess that the book is a needed breath of fresh air which branches away from the normal whodunit. The plot is very thick, and resides not only with a family, but with an entire city at war with itself. IN ALL, the book is pretty good, but like most books of it's size, it can bore the reader with an occasional lull.

Rating:
Summary: Catilina's Riddle
Review: Complete with murder, deceit, and scandals, Catinlina's Riddle is a suspensful thriller that inables you to put it down. This compact murder mystery reveils the common life of Romans citizens and brings a different prespective on the history behind this book. The problems that occur on the farm and in the city are complex with unsuspective endings. The characters enlighten the story and will either humor you, or make you cry. Because of the variety of ages in the characters, they are appealing to every reader. Catilina's Riddle will keep you guessing on who the murderer is, what their motives for killing were, and if the main characters are pleased with the out comes.