Caesar [Paperback]

Allan Massie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 1994

'To take the conspiracy against Julius Caesar - one of the most famous murder plots in history - and make of it something fresh and exciting is no small feat. This is what Allan Massie has done in this fine novel which should appeal equally to those who know their Roman history and those for whom it is only a cloudy rumour of remote events' Evening Standard 'Massie's achievement is to infuse the mythical emperor with blood...he invigorates his characters with voices that seem to echo the present, not the past, and which are utterly convincing...a piece of bravura invention' Independent

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this third in a projected quartet of historical novels set in ancient Rome, Massie (Tiberius) attempts to find new drama in the story of Julius Caesar's murder. The novel's narrator, a Roman general languishing in captivity among the Gauls, muses over the events that have brought down his career. He was once, it seems, Caesar's closest confidant-but became one of his chief betrayers. By casting his narrative in the form of a participant's testimonial, Massie opens a window onto the private triumph and tragedy that marked the final months of Caesar's life. Though the novel includes evocative, naturalistic descriptions (the account of the crossing of the Rubicon, for instance), the emphasis here is on character. In a series of rhetorical set pieces, the author represents the table talk of well-known personages. He follows previous novelists of Roman decadence in cataloging the sexual proclivities of the Roman worthies and explicitly echoes Shakespeare in describing the assassination and its aftermath. Ultimately, Massie's engaging work gives added zest to a familiar tale through its unique perspective.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Decimus Junius Brutus, a Roman general and one of Julius Caesar's closest friends, was one of the conspirators who killed Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. In this fictional memoir written while awaiting his death in Gaul, Brutus (cousin to the better known Marcus Junius Brutus) attempts to justify the murder by recounting Caesar's ever-growing lust for total power and his unbecoming desire to outshine Alexander the Great. Brutus and his friends believe that Caesar's megalomania has led him to betray the Roman Senate and destroy the Republic. Massie, a well-known British historian and novelist (Tiberius, LJ 9/15/93), has produced another solid portrait of ancient Rome. He succeeds in bringing to life the society that spawned, among others, Cleopatra, Cicero, and Mark Antony. Julius Caesar is portrayed in all his guises: libertine, orator, politician, and martyr. A good choice for all historical fiction collections.
Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sceptre (June 2, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340599103
• ISBN-13: 978-0340599105
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,410,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK, June 11, 2000

By 

Sarah (Cheshire, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caesar (Hardcover)

The mistake I made was to read Massie's "Caesar" just after I read Colleen McCullough's book of the same title. The contrast is pretty big - Massie evidently enjoys confirming every rumour, and generally having as much sex and scandal in this book as possible. To be honest, Massie turns great historical figures into a joke. Decimus Brutus, the narrator of the story, has a love affair with Cleopatra, Clodia and Octavian (the young Augustus) There is nothing at all in any ancient sources to back this up. Massie's own opinion doesn't really come into anything - if there has been a scandal mentioned as a possibility somewhere in the sources, Massie confirms it and also exaggerates it wildly. On top of this, his detail is patchy and inaccurate. He puts Octavian forwards as Caesar's nephew, not great nephew, he does not mention politics or military force, and his characters are all developed through sexual relations with one another.

The book is OK, however, it is reasonably well written and worth reading for those who know the characters of ancient Rome. For those who don't, I'd reccomend just picking up a Jackie Collins - all the sex and no politics! That seems to be what Massie is aiming for in the first place.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Slow Going, January 17, 2010

By 

C. S. Junker "soul_survivor" (Burien, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caesar (Hardcover)

Few historical figures have been written about as much as Gaius Julius Caesar. In addition to straight history, there are innumerable works of fiction, not the least of which is William Shakespeare's play.

Allan Massie seems to be keenly aware that he is on heavily trodden ground, and struggles to find something new or fresh to add. He studiously avoids all the dramatic moments (most major events happen off-stage) and the result is a very slow-paced, uninvolving book. Despite the addition of much fanciful gossip about the sex lives of the famous characters, it was a struggle for me to keep reading. Fortunately, the book is short enough and Massie's writing is literate, so I did read on to the end.

However, after Massie's earlier Augustus and Tiberius, which I enjoyed very much, this one falls flat and was a major disappointment.

3.0 out of 5 stars Caesar from Another View, November 3, 2011

By 

RE Krause - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caesar (Hardcover)

Couldn't decide whether to rate this one as 3 stars or 4 - probably 3.5. Anyway, reading the story of Caesar from the view of Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, one of his closest friends and advisers and one of the assassins, was fascinating. The author demonstrates how Caesar may have alienated himself from those who supported and advanced his career throughout his life. Or, was the assassination just the result of jealousy? As the story evolves it appears, according to Massie, that the only opinion that may be important to Caesar is his own. How can anyone doubt Caesar and his decisions yet those who campaigned or served in politics with him well know he is just a man albeit a brilliant one. I was at first put off by the abrupt approach that Massie used to begin the story and it took me a bit to get into the character. And, at times the story seemed to be to drag as Decimus dwells on his own life and problems. How much is rumor and how much is historical fact? We all know that historical accounts are often projected to provide positive or biased views by the writer. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the tale and the premise that Massie puts forward. Quite a different approach but a most interesting one.