⇒ Read Gratis The Venus Throw A Mystery of Ancient Rome Novels of Ancient Rome Steven Saylor 9780312957780 Books

The Venus Throw A Mystery of Ancient Rome Novels of Ancient Rome Steven Saylor 9780312957780 Books

Download As PDF : The Venus Throw A Mystery of Ancient Rome Novels of Ancient Rome Steven Saylor 9780312957780 Books

The Venus Throw A Mystery of Ancient Rome Novels of Ancient Rome Steven Saylor 9780312957780 Books

This is number six in the series called "Roma Sub Rosa" about Gordianus the Finder, a sort of Early Roman version of Sherlock Holmes. Well, no; he's married and has a daughter, and there's no Watson. I like historical novels and I especially like detective novels set far enough in the past, before there was any high-tech involvement in criminal investigation. Still, Gordianus is well-educated and knowledgeable, and that counts for a lot in ancient Rome. In this case, it is his knowledge of poisons that is of particular interest.<br/><br/>Saylor is a historian, and uses real people in his stories. So to play fair to those of us who slept through history class, there are a couple of pages of author's notes on the real people and the real history involved in the story. I'm hoping he does this in the entire series, because I expect to read them all.


Tags : The Venus Throw: A Mystery of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome) [Steven Saylor] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>On a chill January evening in 56 B.C., two strange visitors to Rome—an Egyptian ambassador and a eunuch priest—seek out Gordianus the Finder whose specialty is solving murders. But the ambassador,Steven Saylor,The Venus Throw: A Mystery of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome),St. Martin's Paperbacks,0312957785,Mystery & Detective - General,FICTION Mystery & Detective General,Fantasy,Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective Historical,Fiction-Mystery & Detective,General Adult,Historical,MASS MARKET,Mystery & Detective - Historical,Mystery & Detective - Series,MysterySuspense,Science fiction

The Venus Throw A Mystery of Ancient Rome Novels of Ancient Rome Steven Saylor 9780312957780 Books Reviews

Detective fiction aficionados that I know obtain a catharsis when the truth emerges/is revealed by the "Great Detective" and justice is served. Saylor plays with our minds in that this is the second of his books which I have read in which the cause of truth is served, but is justice as we understand it? Perhaps he is reflecting a modern age...? Or a world weary Rome on the eve of Augustus? Or in the Epilogue are we shown that the unrelenting Eumenides will always win? Or is this a bit of the American cowboy myth slipping in and vigilante justice steps in when due process falters? A couple times I wanted to put the book down, finding the voyeurism in ancient(modern? timeless?) amusements a bit too much, but the plot held me despite my slightly Victorian bent--and, as it turned out, the theme of self-gratifying lust proved important to the story. I am classically trained(although an English background) and have no illusions about the ancient world; yet fewer details would have served me fine. Thus, I will take a Saylor break for a bit.
I am not sure what to make of this book or really this series. I enjoy learning about the going ons in Ancient Rome and all the story lines seem to be pretty true to the ancient sources. I like Gordianus and his family, but somehow I am still somehow unsatisfied when I am done. It seems like sleight of hand most times and maybe that is because of the way Roman justice system worked - that was the point.
Venus Throw is a multi leveled story that involves the murder of the Egyptian Ambassador Dio, investigation into the murder conspiracy, exacting preparation for the trial of the accused, presentation of he trial, and the gender education of Gordianus.
The conspiracy to murder Dio, the ambassador and former teacher of Gordianus, contains several missed murder attempts. The investigation by Gordianus is suspenseful and very difficult for the "finder". The trial is brilliant with possibly Cicero's best oration.
The fun theme in Venus Throw is the many sexual allusions. He visits a run down bar that has a phallus symbol for it's sign (a very large penis). He listens to a detailed discussion of how eunuchs castrate their new members. He finds himself in a bathhouse where men are propositioned. And his new employer, Clodia is blatantly explicit sexually .
For me, it is Gordianus' struggle with women that steals the show. Gordianus finds he is puzzled by his interactions with several females His wife Bethesda, his daughter Diana, his client Clodia, and the slave girl Zotica. Gordianus has lived with Bethesda for many years and thought he knew her, but suddenly her behavior is unpredictable. His daughter Diana, who he saw as a child, now acts more like her mother's co-conspirator. Clodia is forward and openly manipulates men. Gordianus finds himself walking the streets of Rome in the middle of the night pondering women. As any male who has attempted to understand women will agree, Gordianus is just beginning a long journey toward appreciating the female gender.
This theme could be even more appreciated after reading the following The House of the Vestals The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (Novels of Ancient Rome)A Gladiator Dies Only Once The Further Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (Novels of Ancient Rome)
This is number six in the series called "Roma Sub Rosa" about Gordianus the Finder, a sort of Early Roman version of Sherlock Holmes. Well, no; he's married and has a daughter, and there's no Watson. I like historical novels and I especially like detective novels set far enough in the past, before there was any high-tech involvement in criminal investigation. Still, Gordianus is well-educated and knowledgeable, and that counts for a lot in ancient Rome. In this case, it is his knowledge of poisons that is of particular interest.<br/><br/>Saylor is a historian, and uses real people in his stories. So to play fair to those of us who slept through history class, there are a couple of pages of author's notes on the real people and the real history involved in the story. I'm hoping he does this in the entire series, because I expect to read them all.