Conspirata is the second book in Robert Harris' planned trilogy about the life of Marcus Tullius Cicero. Once again narrated by his secretary, Tiro, it picks up where the first book (Imperium) left off, with Cicero having been elected consul of Rome.
Whereas Imperium read more like a courtroom drama, chronicling the trial which led to Cicero's fame, Conspirata delves into the day to day politics of Republican Rome.... a nasty, vicious period in history, to say the least. It begins two days before Cicero takes office in 63 B.C. and closes in 58 B.C.
Although written as fiction, Harris does a superb job of weaving his story around the actual facts of this era. It's true that Tiro existed and that he produced a biography of Cicero. It is cited by both Plutarch and Asconious Pedianus. He was the first man to record a speech in the Senate verbatim, using the shorthand system he created (traces of which can still be found in our writing today). Sadly, the biography along with many of these other works disappeared during the collapse of the Roman Empire.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - every bit as much as the first. Even though I know the history and what the ultimate outcome will be for Cicero, it ends as a cliffhanger. I anxiously await the third!
This is my eighth and final book for the Typically British Reading Challenge.
Whereas Imperium read more like a courtroom drama, chronicling the trial which led to Cicero's fame, Conspirata delves into the day to day politics of Republican Rome.... a nasty, vicious period in history, to say the least. It begins two days before Cicero takes office in 63 B.C. and closes in 58 B.C.
Although written as fiction, Harris does a superb job of weaving his story around the actual facts of this era. It's true that Tiro existed and that he produced a biography of Cicero. It is cited by both Plutarch and Asconious Pedianus. He was the first man to record a speech in the Senate verbatim, using the shorthand system he created (traces of which can still be found in our writing today). Sadly, the biography along with many of these other works disappeared during the collapse of the Roman Empire.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - every bit as much as the first. Even though I know the history and what the ultimate outcome will be for Cicero, it ends as a cliffhanger. I anxiously await the third!
This is my eighth and final book for the Typically British Reading Challenge.
5 comments:
Kelly,
An excellent and informative review.
As well as that I trust your
recommendation. And I will keep Mr. Harris title in mind.
Raven
So sorry kelly, I think this is probably the first time we have ever disagreed on a book. i read the first book in the series and didn't like it at all. still, you make this one sound so interesting perhaps I'll give it another go. ps, sorry for the lack of capitals, must be something wrong with pooter's keyboard.
Tracy - That's okay, and I don't think it's the first we haven't seen eye to eye on (seems like I remember a couple of others). This just happens to be a time frame I really enjoy and I like the way he writes. Actually, my favorite of his is Pompeii. I would definitely recommend you try it if you have any interest at all in the eruption of 79 AD.
Raven - Tracy is the one who put me on the Matthew Shardlake series. I hope you've had a chance to start them and have enjoyed them as much as we did.
Sounds like this series has a lot going on in it ... and that you'd get a good education while reading.
I love how the time goes "backwards" due to it being B.C.
Jenners - I think that's why historical fiction has always been one of my favorite genres. I can't tell you how often a book like this has led me to do research on my own.
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