Ralph Jackman

I had mixed reactions to this debut effort. The writing is smooth, the time period is important, and the historical detail is exquisite. Jackman shows off his classics degree without showing off. He subjects his main character, Marcus Rutilius Crispus, a senator who supported Octavian in the civil war against Antony, to trials that might have made Job cry uncle; providing lots of plot twists and turns. My main problem with the story is that I didn't care what happened to the first person narrator/protagonist. Several characters described Marcus as rash and a person who doesn't think things through and he agreed...while continuing to act rashly and not think things through. I (personally) thought he deserved nearly everything that happened to him as he blundered his way through treacherous times. I had a lot more sympathy for several of the secondary characters who also suffered for his sins.

On the plus side, Jackman gives us a different (and well-drawn) portrait of Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus and designated the first emperor of Rome) than many might have of him based on his long peaceful reign and skilled political maneuvering (or who watched I, Claudius). The author shows us a ruthless tyrant, ready to destroy anyone who stood in his way, with a petty streak of vindictiveness--which would not be unusual in people with immense power. The character who comes off best in this narrative is the loyal Agrippa, but he's always been a favorite of mine. As is true of many books about war and politics in the ancient world, women show up infrequently and usually as sexual objects or plot props. I think this book might appeal to many readers who value plot and setting and don't mind an unsympathetic protagonist.

Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the author, but that did not influence my review.… (más)