Customer Reviews

The Sirens of Surrentum (Roman Mysteries)

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The Sirens of Surrentum is another excellent book in the Roman Mysteries series. I read this and all the previous books in this series to my 7 year old daughter, who has thoroughly enjoyed them. The books should be read in order, as significant events occur in each book and each book builds upon the previous books.

The Sirens, like the other books in this series, has an interesting story line that will interest juvenile detective fans. The mysteries are more realistic and multi-dimensional than books like the Three Investigators and Nancy Drew.

The Roman Mysteries also have a strong educational theme in that they are set in the context of the first century Roman world. In a very compelling and interesting manner that sparks the interest of myself and my daughter, the author weaves the history and myths of the Rome, Greece, and the first century Jews and Christians into the books.

The books provide a good, if slightly unrealistic, portrayal of the diverse life in the Roman world as the four main characters include a wealthy Roman girl, her slave, a Jewish/Christian boy, and a homeless beggar boy. The characters have real depth, unlike many children's books. The author also introduces numerous historical figures.
Some of the books in the series are fairly light hearted mysteries, but others address important topics like slavery, children coming of age, religious persecution, and revenge. The author has a Christian perspective regarding forgiveness and compassion which is brought into the books in a non-preachy format. The first book has the most strongly Christian theme. This is appropriate as Christianity was spreading in the Empire at this time. The author addresses these "heavy" issues in an age appropriate way, without unduly sanitizing the books. I believe the Sirens has the most "adult" theme of any of the books in that it addresses the issue of a woman becoming marriageable and falling in love for the first time, which happened early for Roman girls. The issues are addressed deftly by the author and the book was highly appropriate to read to my seven year old daughter.

The Sirens of Surrentum takes us back to the luxurious Villa Limona of Publius Pollius Felix. Felix's daughter Pulchra has a mystery for Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus: who is poisoning her mother. To uncover the would-be murderer several guests have been invited to the villa who are under suspicion. Among them is Voluptua, who brings her pet black panther, Annia Serena, who has a remarkably sensitive sense of smell, and Flaccus, although he is not under suspicion. The story contains a lot of information about poisons and a visit is paid to the daughter of the famous Locusta, who supplied poisons to Nero. There also is a nice discussion among the characters about the natures of Epicurean and Stoic philosophies.

The major theme of the book for Flavia is her hopeless love for Felix. She is presented with a choice when confronted by the boy she is betrothed to and her ideal idea of love in the shape of Felix. But there also is a coming-of-age theme to this book as Flavia receives help in regard to her own appearance from the beautiful and fashion conscience Pulchra. She becomes Flavia's guide to feminine beauty, showing her what makeup and grooming can do.

There are episodes where Flavia begins to explore her own sexuality. She has just had her 11th birthday and is troubled by her feelings for Felix and lack of them for her betrothed. There is a sunbathing scene where the women are keeping out-of-sight but the boys row out in a boat to have a look, which has a more comic ending and is a case of boys-will-be-boys. The book also opens with her kissing Jonathan as a kind of test to see if either of them likes it: neither does. One gets so involved with the relationships among the characters that the mystery of who is attempting to poison Polla almost takes a back seat. But soon the mystery

This book looks more at Roman society than previous volumes in the Roman Mysteries series. The age group is appropriately listed as young adult at Amazon. The subject of adultery is not one for younger readers and parents will have to decide if this is an appropriate book for their child. I think adult readers of the series will find this an engaging book. As the book concludes much has been learned, relationships clarified and another mystery has been solved.

When it comes to accurate historical detail and convincing depiction of ancient Roman society, author Caroline Lawrence knows whereof she writes. Before becoming a children's book author, Caroline Lawrence was a student of Classics at Berkeley and later at Cambridge, as well as a teacher of Latin at a small London primary school.

I am a librarian by profession and have read all of the books in Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries series. The Sirens of Surrentum is one of her best. The protagonist of the story, Flavia Gemina, is about to celebrate her 11th birthday and is just one year away from being of marriageable age (!) by ancient Roman custom. Readers around the same age as Flavia (perhaps age 10 and older being the best age level for the younger readers of this book) will laugh at the foolishness of boys, as well as learn the valuable life-lesson that one can be too young for love.

There is delicious danger in the story, as we follow the young adventurers to the villa of a famous poisoner in their quest to solve the mystery. And, as with all of Caroline Lawrence's books, we learn a few fascinating facts of Roman history and culture along the way, such as the story related by the Roman philosopher Seneca about the German barbarian who killed himself with a sponge-stick (an object customarily employed for more mundane purposes).

Wittily written, NEVER condescending to young readers, and an absolute delight even for adult enthusiasts of stories set in ancient Rome and its environs, The Sirens of Surrentum is a gem from start to finish!

[minor spoilers]

I have much enjoyed almost all of the other books in the Roman Mysteries series, but this one is definately my least favourite. Sirens deals with adultery, promiscuity and related topics and it's the first RM book that I really didn't like at all. Philodemas is the only sane one! Even Lupus- a nine year old, for heaven's sake!- and Jonathan row out in a boat to see some sunbathing women (including Flavia and Nubia) *ahem*...au natreul. I know Roman children had to grow up fast, but these are kids' books! I really can't recommend it to anyone. Read any of the other books in the series, but skip this one unless you absolutely have to.

At least the Flavia/Felix situation is resolved.

It's times like these when I'm glad I take the time to preview the books we check out from the library. Though I have enjoyed most of the books in this series, Sirens of Surrentum is simply not appropriate for children. The suggested age range is 9-12, but the themes and content of this book are far too adult. Kissing with tongues is the least of it - women sobbing in pleasure, co-ed nekkedness, and a lecherous pedophile...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Parents (and discerning young people), please skip this one.

It has been a year since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the world of ancient Rome finally seems to have returned to normality. It's only in the hearts of our young protagonists that storms are still stirring, and the eleventh book in "The Roman Mysteries" series explores the burgeoning sexuality of love-struck Flavia, introspective Jonathan, and wise Nubia. Even nine year old Lupus is beginning to foster an interest in girls. The subject matter may raise a few eyebrows, but Caroline Lawrence handles the onset of adolescence and all that it entails with plenty of tact.

Love, or at least something that *feels* like love, is in the air when the four youngsters (I can't really refer to them as children anymore!) return to Villa Limona, the luxurious seaside home of Publius Pollius Felix. Considering she's been infatuated with him for going on a year, Flavia is in quite a state about seeming him again, but it is his daughter Pulchra that gives her the real reason for their invitation: she is convinced that her mother is being poisoned. Felix's wife is a pale and sickly woman, and Pulchra is convinced that her occasional lapses into serious illness is the work of one of the household's frequent guests.

Flavia and her friends are swift in agreeing to investigate the suspects: three handsome bachelors and three beautiful widows, all of whom have the motive and opportunity to do away with Polla. But there are distractions aplenty: the licentious city of Baiae, the presence of several captivating adults, and a surprise appearance from Flavia's betrothed. With all the heartache and confusion that swirls around the villa, Flavia finds it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

There may be a little bit of value dissonance at work in the book (the fact that Roman society considers Flavia old enough for a betrothal at the tender age of eleven will make contemporary readers balk), but Lawrence uses this to her advantage in the shaping of her themes. The target audience of these books will already have a rudimentary understanding of the birds and the bees, and here the topic of sex is alluded to in tasteful, veiled, and humorous ways. Though some of the content is sensual, it's nowhere near overtly sexual, and the ultimate theme of the book is how to differentiate between abiding love and fleeting lust. I'm sure there are plenty of young readers who could stand to get a preemptive understanding of the crucial distinction between these two states.

As always, Lawrence takes the opportunity to weave in historical information about philosophies, historical figures and Roman mythology in such a way that they are not distractions from the plot, but which tie in neatly with the themes and characterization, and provide inspiration for the detectives to better understand the unfolding mystery. The characters are as interesting and three-dimensional as usual; from the flawed-yet-sympathetic leads, to the enigmatic supporting cast, to the quirky "guest stars" (such as a woman who owns a trained panther, and another who possesses an extraordinary sense of smell).

I have always felt that adults are more likely to be comfortable in children absorbing violence than anything of a sexual nature, no matter how tastefully it's presented. That's a debate for another forum, but for whom it may concern, "The Sirens of Surrentum" is not gratuitous or shocking, but actually has something to *say* about the issues that it raises. Adultery and promiscuity are bad. Responsibility and fidelity is good. Desire and passion are enjoyable yet potentially dangerous, and best dealt with by seeking wise counsel from those who have experience in such matters. All of this is presented in such a way that doesn't for a moment feel patronizing or heavy-handed.

(Oddly, the only thing that I took any umbrage to was the "boys will be boys" attitude of Jonathan and Lupus rowing out to spy on the women sunbathing on rocks in the sea. The scene is played for laughs, but given the rather serious lesson that Flavia learns by book's end, it grated that the boys were simply laughed at for trying to get an eyeful of several naked women instead of reprimanded for not respecting their privacy).

If "The Sirens of Surrentum" feels a little different than its predecessors, it's probably because the series is growing up along with its protagonists. Lawrence has never shied away from presenting the darker side of life alongside the lighter pleasures, and though I have yet to complete the series, it is clear that it's overarching theme is the universal experience of stumbling toward adulthood and gaining greater understanding of the world by doing so - something that was just as challenging in ancient Rome as it is today.

I've enjoyed all of the Roman Mysteries and my son and daughter are reading them as well. I had my son skip this particular book after I read it because I thought the themes were not really appropriate. When my daughter gets to this title, I'll skip it for her as well. Fortunately, I just had to tell my son that there was a lot of kissing between the characters and he was actually thankful he didn't have to read it.

While the author is not gratuitous, I felt there were times that she went a little too far. A woman sobbing in pleasure is really not something I want my children thinking about at their ages. Also, the girls sunbathing nude on the rocks wasn't something I wanted my pre-teen boy visualizing. And I certainly didn't want to have to answer my daughter's questions about tongues during kissing.

The plot was fairly interesting and did finalize some previous story lines. And, the main adulterer was viewed as disgusting by the children at the end of the story.

In general, if your child has already been exposed to the concept of adultery and/or sex between unmarried partners, then this book would probably be fine. Fortunately, my kids haven't had to deal with either of those topics yet.