First a kingdom ruled by kings, then a republic ruled by senators, there was a growing feeling that Rome should be a kingdom again — well, not exactly a kingdom, but an empire as befits an expanding state.
Contenders for the crown were lining up: Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, Marcus Crassus. Each had supporters and opponents. Awards and positions of high places to the former by the winner, exile or even death to the latter. Changing sides — betrayal — was common and unforgiven.
It was the first century BC and British historical fiction author Robert Harris focuses on it in his Cicero trilogy Imperium, Lustrium and Dictator. They are in the form of a biography of famed philosopher and influential statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, Sr. by his long-time secretary Tiso.
This reviewer received only the third volume, Dictator. In it, Cicero is ageing but still active. Harris leaves the reader in no doubt his work, though well-researched, is more fiction than history. His saving grace is that he’s an outstanding writer. I’ll not compare him to anyone. His style is his own.
Acknowledged the best lawyer in Rome, his legal reasoning led to the passage of new laws. Alas, his political views were less well received. Though on different sides, Caesar and Pompey felt Rome would be better off without him. There was nothing for him but to flee for his life. He stayed away for 10 years.
Returning, couldn’t resist the political arena. The assassination of Caesar had mixed reactions — Mark Antony took on Brutus. Pompey went after Antony. Indeed, Pompey became emperor. For a time he was lenient with Cicero. The author indulges in Tiso’s nostalgia. “Remember when …”
However old and lonely, fate catches up with Cicero. He is condemned to death and executed (read dismembered).
A true story. Plus a more than fair amount of imagination. Battles are more observed than described. Truth be told, I would like to have read the earlier two books first, yet less enthusiastic having perused the third and final one. If you’re an ancient Rome buff, don’t pass the trilogy by.
FYI: Robert Harris has written a few World War II novels you may well enjoy.
Worth a gander
Married stateside novelists Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman usually write crime thrillers separately, with children’s psychologist Dr Jonathan somewhat more popular. Occasionally they join forces. Their styles are rather different, but not conflicting. Fans can identify their respective contribution.
Jonathan’s plots are interdenominational, Jesse’s tend to have a Jewish Bent The Golem of Paris favours her type. The term Golem hearkens back to medieval Prague, where anti-Semitism was particularly harsh. The victims created an inhuman defender who subsequently turned on them.
This contemporary-set plot eschews the metaphysical, introducing Dmitri Molchanov, a psychopathic Russian. Why kill men, women and children outright when torturing them to death is more fun. His favourite sport is trapping the police hunting him, beating them to a pulp, then strangling them.
Detective Jacop Levy of the LAPD, who never lack for literary heroes, is the protagonist sent to Paris on another assignment, where he becomes involved in the Golem case. The gendarmes regard it as interference, until his input proves vital. Dmitri puts him on his hit list.
The story expands to include the German invasion of Czechoslovakia during the World War II, followed by its liberation by the Russians. While not as savage as the Nazis, the Red Army rule wasn’t short of atrocities.
Dmitri was a commander then. Relatives of his victims are tracking him. Levy squares off and their encounter runs through several chapters. Levy gets the worst of it for the most part.
A follow-up book, The Golem of Hollywood, is on the stands. This reviewer has yet to read it. The Kellermans are on a role. Don’t be surprised if a pack of golem books awaits us. Their fans couldn’t be more pleased. Any of them is worth a gander.
The authors offer a number of insights: The French commissioner to fellow Detective Levy — criminals are rapidly adapting to scientific advances. All we are doing is playing catch-up. We learn of a few cases of domestic violence. Wives fear divorce more than they do abuse.
The reason collaborators were over looked after the war is that they were the only ones left to run the country efficiently.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.