Fiction in the form of a memoir, Caesar looks back on his life on the eve of the Ides of March. We meet major characters and events leading up to his governorship of Gaul, but stops before his great conquests that led to his crossing the Rubicon and to a Roman Dictatorship.
Warner successfully captures the turbulent events of Caesar's youth and how they may have shaped him. Warner paints a believable portrait of Caesar.
Warner successfully captures the turbulent events of Caesar's youth and how they may have shaped him. Warner paints a believable portrait of Caesar.
Not certain how I should classify this book so I put it under two categories - biographies and historical fiction. The publisher called it a biographical novel.
As for the book itself, I enjoyed the discussion about the powers of Rome, the egos of the men who ruled it, the intrigue, twists and turns of loyalties depending on who was popular for what reason and how Caesar himself was able to survive in this political arena. Caesar is the narrator who discusses politics and personalities of Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Cato, Crassus, and Cicero among others in his viewpoint. Most interesting and informative but not an easy read unless you are comfortable with Rome's political situation during Caesar's life.
As for the book itself, I enjoyed the discussion about the powers of Rome, the egos of the men who ruled it, the intrigue, twists and turns of loyalties depending on who was popular for what reason and how Caesar himself was able to survive in this political arena. Caesar is the narrator who discusses politics and personalities of Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Cato, Crassus, and Cicero among others in his viewpoint. Most interesting and informative but not an easy read unless you are comfortable with Rome's political situation during Caesar's life.
