Customer Reviews

Family Favourites (Phoenix Press)

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I'm delighted that the books of Alfred Duggan are back in print after so many years and I'm particularly happy that Family Favourites is once again available. This was my first introduction to Duggan's wonderful, cynical style. I originally found this book in a used book store in Guadalajara, Mexico of all places and it's falling apart due to so many re-readings, so it's time to buy a new copy.

Briefly, this book tells the story of the truly bizarre teenage Roman emperor Elagabalus, told from the viewpoint of a Roman soldier named Duratius who happens to find himself as the emperor's bodyguard. Duratius' story itself is very interesting. He's a minor Gallic nobleman who's family is destroyed in one of Rome's many civil wars. He joins the army because it's the only option for his survival and only wants to keep a low profile but through a single, out-of-character moment of leadership finds himself elevated to the new emperor's inner circle. From this vantage he watches the goings on in court.

And what a court it is. The young emperor is truly a rare bird. He's the high priest of an eastern cult, a flamboyant homosexual (scandalizing proper Roman society) and wholly unsuited for his job. His only claim to the throne is the dubious assertion that he is the illegitimate son of the murdered (and monstrous) emperor Caracalla. His beauty and charm get him through his first couple of years but he eventually wears out his welcome. This is a problem for the powerful women of his family, his mother, aunt and especially his formidable grandmother. They must find a way to keep power (and their lives) as Elagabalus' authority dissipates.

Through it all Duggan's wit and cynical view of human nature entertains the reader. His characters are sharply drawn and his dialogue crisp. Any lover of historical fiction will love this book.

As a fan of Roman history, I was curious to find 'Family Favorites' consistantly popping up as a purchase suggestion on Amazon.com. I finally purchased it and was treated to an account of the Syrian Roman Emperor Elgabalus (218-222 AD). The Roman troops declared for him during a civil war on the eastern front and this 15 year old then became emperor of all Rome and took his entire household back to an Italy which he had never seen. And by household, Duggan means the Eastern phallus cult, the homosexual boyfriends, the painted faces, eunichs,and the conspiring females in his life.
Upon entering Rome, Elagabalus manages, of course, to horrify the Roman senate. There are historically accurate descriptions of this culture clash thoroughout the book. This events include the obligatory orgies, exotic feasts, wierd religious practices, even women who are employed as 'horses' to pull the emperor's chariot while nude, with a bit in their mouths.
The story is told by an experienced legionaire whom the emperor has chosen to advise him both as a man and as a Roman. Duggan wrote this book in 1960 and seems to relish the chance to describe these events. He is never overly graphic. I took this opportunity to cross-check his historical facts against Michael Grant's "The Roman Emperors" and came away impressed by Duggan's ability to kinda-sorta stick to the facts while telling an engrossing story from a mostly forgotten time. A fun read.