Customer Reviews

Caesar: A Novel

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just when I was losing faith in the Masters of Rome series, Colleen McCullough throws in some oomph. Caesar brings the ancient battles to life, and shows Gaius Julius Caesar at his most powerful. I think McCullough's strength is in her battle scenes. Even when there is little bloodshed, she does a wonderful job of describing military strategy and tactics. The book is worth reading if only for this.

Caesar shows the return of a writing technique McCullough hasn't shown since The Grass Crown: she includes the point of view of a foreign enemy. In this case, it is Vercingetorix, king of "united Gaul." Although I knew he was doomed from the beginning, I couldn't help but admire his valour and tenacity. It would have been nice if equal attention had been paid to Cathbad, the chief Druid.

The main problem I have with Caesar is the blatant worship of the title character. In McCullough's writings, he can do no wrong. Although I enjoy reading about his great military achievements, it would be awfully nice if he was humanized a tad more. He's just too perfect, and a thin head of hair isn't nearly enough to bring him down to our level. I'm afraid he's become some sort of mortal Superman, and none of the villains happen to have a vial of Kryptonite.

The other problem I have with the book is related to Caesar's hero-worship. Where Caesar and his supporters are portrayed in a in overtly positive ways, his detractors are seen as peevish, jealous, and frankly, rather dumb. I have a difficult time believing the enemies of Caesar were so lacking in positive traits. By the end of the novel, Pompeius Magnus, who started out as a likeable and able general (albeit very temperamental), becomes a whingeing and bullied fool. I think this is a shame. It is also a shame that Cato receives so little personal attention. I think he could be a very sympathetic character if only the attention was paid to him.

As a history student, I initially mistook 'Caesar' the novel as an actual historical biography. I had a pleasant surprise in store for me. Many historical novels just have ideas about character presentation, not about wars fought or politics. McCullough is a refreshing change, and puts a whole new outlook upon the novelization of history.

It must be said, however, that McCullough's Caesar is an altogether infuriating character - a hero so handsome, so clever, so calm and unflinching to be somewhat unrealistic. Even his friends and allies are presented as being rather hopeless in comparison. The magnificant Pompey the Great as an unsubtle blunderhead from the country, Cicero a weak, wavering man, Mark Antony foolish and impulsive, Cato a raving lunatic - all characteristics handed down throughout history, yes, but these men were more than this and it is a pity that these great historical figures are not given their due. Opinion is unavoidable when writing about history, of course, but one might be tempted to question whether the affairs in ancient Rome at this time were such that one man alone could resolve them, whilst the others tried to stop him. Difficult to justify!

That said, this is overall one of the most impressive pieces of work I have read. The writing style is incredible - read about Clodius' death on the Via Appia, or Fulvia's reaction on learning that her beloved second husband is dead. You'll soon see what I mean. The characters, despite coming from a remote age, are accessible characters whom we can relate too, facing the same joys, fears and problems that we are facing today. I cannot reccomend this book strongly enough even for those who are not experts on Roman history. Read it - you'll sooon feel as if you are!

In this fifth book of the First Man In Rome series Julius Caesar leaves Rome for the Gallic Wars. The scene shifts between Gaul and Rome as the "Boni" or "Good Men" continue their machinations to destroy Caesar. Pompey Magnus goes from Caesar's ally to his nemesis.

McCullough's greatest gift is to make history come alive. Her characters are not the dry dust of high school history or Latin classes but spring from the page with ambition and passion. My greatest complaint is that she writes so slowly. I've waited two years for this episode to arrive and now I'll have to wait for the next. This entire series is a must read for anyone who is interested in Rome and Romans. McCullough's research is superb and when you finish, your understanding of how Rome ruled the world for 1300 years will have reached your gut level.

This was the first Colleen McCullough novel I've ever tried to read. I remember saying to my girlfriend about 120 pages in "I think I've found another great one" -- and I meant that I've finally found another contemporary novelist who's intensity level was as focused and whose storytelling power was as solid as just about any other contemporary writer. However, Caesar is *not* a place to start with McCullough. It is too complicated. I'm aware that writing this review will not win any "helpful" votes, but I've got to speak my mind.

I thought McCullough's description of Caesar was the best physical and emotional description of a character I've ever read. Her description of his eyes may have been worth the 8 bucks alone. And if I'd have been an early editor, I would have suggested she stay with his character like a bloodhound on a perfumed fugitive. The novel is at its best when her imagination is on and she's just describing a character or a scene or writing dialogue. *That* is when McCullough is without peer.

My beef with this book is that she simply tries to do way too much. I got lost when she moved the story back to Rome around pages 150-200 while Caesar was not there. On one page alone I counted 17 different character names, and ultimately this is what did in this novel for me. Way too many characters who just appear for seemingly no reason, and then dissappear. It is just too difficult to follow. Indeed, the initial heft of a 900 page novel isn't exactly a welcome mat into a novel. I imagine those of you who read McCullough will say that it's easy to follow. And fun! And exciting! And I'll not argue that McCullough has the inate ability to tell a story as well as anyone. And *that* is rare.

Ultimately, I gave up on this novel at page 277. But it's a strange "giving up." I think I'll try another McCullough novel in the future. Her storytelling ability is that good. I think she could make the reading world spin on its head if she turned her immense talent to telling a more simple story, and kept one or two characters right in the forefront of each chapter (I'm imagining Alfred Hitchcock taking on the "B"-type movie in Psycho and forever changing the landscape of American cinema). Let the imagination do the work for you, McCullough. Give us a simple story. You're that good! You are! You really, truly are!

Stacey

Colleen McCullough's Master of Rome series, includes 6 books, with Caesar being the fifth in the series. Her work can truthfully be called epic, both in scope and historical accuracy. What McCullough has done, is to create out of the dry and often boring tomes about Caesar and the attendant fall of the Republic, a vivid, absorbing and highly entertaining set of books.

The settings span Rome, Germany, Gaul of the Long Hairs and what was known as Africa Province, which included Egypt. The hand drawn maps included in each book, aid the reader in placing the action and locations of the known parts of the countries, either under Roman rule or at war during this turbulent part of Roman history.

The characters, who for the most part are genuine historical figures, spring to life, under McCullough's deft hand.


Gaius Julius Caesar: A man in his prime and at the peak of his powers. He is a perfectionist, who values his dignitas more than life itself. A superb general, wily politician and possessed of a mind bordering on genius, Caesar is hated by a small group-the Boni (good men) for all of his vast abilities. Continually impeded and frustrated by them, he is finally forced to do the unthinkable-cross the Rubicon, and enter Roman lands with military force.

Pompeius: Allied once to Caesar, by marriage to Caesar's beloved daughter Julia, he has become enmeshed in the Boni's plotting to bring Caesar down. Arrogant, selfish, cunning and jealous of Caesar's outstanding successes in the conquering of Gaul, he obtains a Consultatum Ultimatum, which was as close to Dictator as a Picentine upstart was going to get.

Marcus Portius Cato: A moral man, so filled with fears, phobias and a strident hate for Caesar, he continues to obstruct him in everything he does. McCullough's thorough and deep portrait of Cato, shows her continuing refusal to take the easy way out and paint her antagonist in monochromatic shades.

Quintus Cicero: Younger brother of the famed orator Cicero, Caesars ally and beloved friend. Throughout the long grueling campaign in Gaul, Quintus Cicero grows to love, respect and admire his general. His loyalty in the face of his wife Terentia's and his famed elder brother's hatred of Caesar, is simply awesome.

Marcus Antonius: Marcus is a very shallow seeming and pleasure loving man, perhaps a bit too fond of wine. Yet when ordered to accompany Caesar to Gaul, he shows the inner strength and discipline to carry himself well in battle.

Brutus: His heart shattered by Caesar when his betrothal to Julia was broken, is a weak and ineffectual man. Cowed from a very young age by Servillia, his mother, who is Caesar's lover, he is a lost soul. Forbidden by Servillia when young, from seeing his Uncle Cato, when finally freed by the breaking of his engagement, he begins a long slide into destruction amongst the Boni. He is his Uncle Cato's man to the bitter end.

There is something for everyone in the book: politics, greed, ambition, military tactics that are nothing short of amazing, and underneath all, the relentless driving nature of the man called Caesar. The irony here is of a man who wanted so badly to be given his due, who wanted to work with, not against his opponents, who refused to repeat the proscriptions and murder done by his predecessors, and yet received nothing but opprobrium and hate for his pains.

McCullough demonstrates a keen understanding of human nature, and how often we seek to destroy the truly excellent men of our times, yet celebrate the villains. Her scholarship and research on the Roman military and its tactics shows throughout the series, but particularly in Caesar.

This is McCullough's Magnum Opus, and she should be lauded for bringing history to life, in a way that very very few are able to do. If you want a true appreciation of the work and care that went into creating the Master's Of Rome series, start with the first book: First Man In Rome, and read them all. I promise you, it's time well spent, and makes for simply wonderful reading.

For all those eagerly awaiting the October Horse, and wondering what on earth "Morgan's Run" is, then do not despair! Colleen McCullough had to change publishers and they asked her to take a break from Rome. So "The October Horse" and the one after that currently titled "The Queen of Beasts" (?) ARE being written, and should be with us soon.

Moving on from that, therefore, a word about "Caesar". The novel is, quite simply, a pleasure to read. The care lavished on it, in its drawings, maps, glossary, and of course the plot itself which is the fall of the Roman Republic. It's great!

Caesar: A Novel, by Colleen McCullough, is nothing if not compelling. It is a page turner from the very first chapter. If there is a downside to her effort, it exists in the flawless caricature she paints of the man. Gaius Julius Caesar is not only the wisest, smartest, manliest, most stoic and resourceful man in the Roman world, he is the epitome of each of these virtues. Indeed, McCullough has imbued him with comic book super hero status that certainly detracts from the story. It is widely accepted that Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon was done for largely selfish reasons. The Senate of Rome, uncomfortable with his predilection towards power, was desperately trying to strip him of his place and position in Roman society. To save himself, his "dignitas", he committed 9 Roman legions and brought civil war into Italy, Macedonia, and Greece. His megalomania, certainly a factor in the historic decision to ford the famous river and confront Pompey, isn't even hinted at. Instead, Caesar is portrayed as a demigod; faultless, flawless, unable to harbor anything but the most altruistic motives, indeed unable to possess anything but the pinnacle of manly virtue. This view simply doesn't adhere to history and renders her title character lacking in both depth and breadth.

Still, Caesar: A Novel is an exciting read. The pace is consistently urgent. Though a weighty tome at 752 pages, I regularly ripped through 150+ pages at a time. All things considered, I recommend the book to anyone preferring the imaginative side of historical fiction. In this sense, it is one of the better books of it's class. Her version of events is fairly accurate. Her version of the man is worship.

This novel relates the exploits of one Gaius Julius Caesar, covering the time period November 54 BC to September 29, 48 BC. The setting is the ancient Mediterranean Roman Republic and its Provinces, enemies and allies.

The novel explodes during Caesar's Gallic War (specifically, Gallia Comata -> Gaul of the Longhairs -> roughly modern France). There are numerous battles; power plays to control Gaullic tribes and Caesar tries to enlist some of Gauls on his side. At one point, Caesar constructs a type of military fortification known as a circumvallation; essentially a series of walls over 10 miles long, in this case, around the city of Alesia.

After this, there is the run up to the Civil War. The political intrigues of the Senate and People of Rome (the Roman Government) are described. It was fascinating to read of the power plays used by the Romans; the planning behind the campaigns for political office, the running of the courts and the relation of Rome to Italia and the Provinces. The noble ruling class (patricians) constantly worries of how it will maintain itself apart from the influence of the plebeians (commoners); the plebeians are potential rioters and clients (in Roman terms, this meant for a plebian to owe political and economic allegiance to a patrician). Then, Caesar crosses the Rubicon (a river separating the Provinces which he administers and Italia proper) sparking the Civil War. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pomey the Great) heads the anti-Caesar side. As Caesar advances toward Rome, Pompey panics and decides to abandon Rome and evacuate the Government to Greece...

The general tenor is the novel is fascinating; however one can become loss in the great detail of geography that McCullough provides. Fortunately, there are about 5 maps in the novel depicting the various areas. Also, the narrative includes details concerning the inner workings of a Roman military camp, Roman military logistics and the legal/constitutional setup of the Roman Republic. Again, McCullough provides a rather extensive glossary of terms, which the reader will find very helpful.

Given that much of the novel consists of military campaigns (there is a fair amount of politics involved as well; the military and the political often clash and mesh with each other), one learns the great importance of food. There is a constant concern that the Generals must find (and obtain by force, if necessary) food to feed their troops. This factor comes up in several different contexts; the sieges, being far from Rome, the problems when the local area suffers from a famine and so on. Also, the fact that the soldiers expect and get much personal wealth (and Caesar personally), by looting defeated cities and tribes of all their silver and gold is a concept that may be very familiar to the modern reader. Yet, that was one of the big draws to getting involved in wars.

My one negative criticism of the novel is the seeming adoration with Caesar himself that McCullough puts into the story. It seems that Caesar will win every battle, win every discussion and outplan or outplan his foes. There is a feel that Caesar's victories at almost predestined at some points.

Historical Accuracy:

The novel has as its source material to primary documents written by Gaius Julius Caesar himself ("The Gallic Wars," and, "The Civil War"). Due to the fact that Caesar was writing the Gallic Wars as something like a series of status reports to the Senate of Rome, there is a possible tendency that he inflated his victories. Especially, since the Gauls of this time period left no written records about themselves, one must rely on others descriptions of them. In the, "Author's Afterword," McCullough explains in about 4 pages what changes she has made to actual history of the events. For a history student, this is extremely informative. I expected that McCullough would have been much more liberal in her dramatic retelling but I am quite impressed with her fidelity to the facts.

McCullough ends her Afterword by stating: "The next book will be called, 'The October Horse.'" I look forward to reading this next installment in, "The Masters of Rome," series.

As a lifelong student and fan of Roman history, I enthusiastically dive into every Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" novel, only to come up floundering and gasping for air after a few dozen pages. "Caesar," which is in most respects the climax of the series, is no exception: A grand story with riveting characters, expertly plotted, but weighed down by some of the worst prose this side of "it was a dark and stormy night." McCullough doesn't seem to think normal rules of fiction writing apply to her. Long, dense paragraphs of exposition containing dozens of names and mountains of historical minutia serve no real purpose other than to show off the depths of her research (which is considerable, although she still gets odd details wrong-- i.e. references to a "gold denarius" [the denarius was strictly a silver coin; a gold piece was termed an "aureus"] or Roman officers in "leather armor" [there is no evidence Roman armor was made of anything but iron or bronze]). Even more irritating are long passages of extremly verbose dialogue that start and stop with no indication of setting-- i.e. we have no idea where her characters are or what they are doing when they speak these words. Other reviewers praise her battle scenes. I can't imagine why, since the actual battles are given only the most perfunctory treatment, although the groundwork for each clash is meticlulously laid. She describes each battle in a sterile, academic fashion. Never do you experience the actual blood, sweat, grime, the horrendous physical exertion, the searing pain, the awful disorientation, the screams, and the stink of hand-to-hand combat. This is particularly true of the last great battle, Pharsalus-- the maneuvers leading up to the clash take up perhaps 50 pages, while the actual battle itself occupies two paragraphs. Still, what McCullough lacks as a wordsmith, she makes up for with strong plotting and characterization. Caesar, as been noted elsewhere, comes off as too perfect an embodiement of all the Roman virtues, but his allies and enemies-- studly Anthony, dynamic Curio, dogmatic Cato, longsuffering Cicero, and always the likeable, naively egotistical Pompey-- are all compelling and immensely human. Of the women, Fulvia, Porcia and Servilia are all strikingly drawn and memorable. So, yes, despite the hard work necessary to finish reading this novel, it ended up being (barely) worth the effort. I will no doubt read the "October Horse," but only after taking a long breather and steeling myself for another tough slog.

I have read the "learned" reviews. I am not a history major or anything close to it. I just love historical fiction and have found Colleen McCullough to be one of the best authors in this form. I am just anxiously waiting for the next in the series to appear. I believe it was to be called "The October Horse". I would like to know as soon as it is published and available.