Colleen McCullough

[nixie]

I've found this series very factual and I love the way shes fleshed out the characters making them come to life.

[No Inspiration]

I know this thread hasn't been used for a while, but I just purchased Caesar from a local book warehouse, and wasn't aware it was part of a series.
Does anyone know if it could be read as a standalone? Thanks.
Lena.

[tangaloomababe]

I can honestly say I have only ever read The Thorn Birds, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't know why I havn't read more of her and now that you have brought my attention to her again, I may go chase up a few. Are there any that I should avoid?

[svalbard]

I thought this was a great series. Sulla has to be one of best characters to be written about in history. I loved the way she brought the Senate debates to life and she has a great way of using humour in the books. The last book was heart-rending in the way she depicted the end of the Republic.

One thing, I believe she has being persuaded to write another book about Anthony and Octavian.

[Dexter]

I hope you're right about the seventh book. The first six were awesome. The only problem I have is that at the pace I read, I'd better start now if I wanna be ready for it.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by svalbard

I thought this was a great series. Sulla has to be one of best characters to be written about in history. I loved the way she brought the Senate debates to life and she has a great way of using humour in the books. The last book was heart-rending in the way she depicted the end of the Republic.

One thing, I believe she has being persuaded to write another book about Anthony and Octavian.

About Octavian? really? I need books to read about him. Has she written about him already?


I hate that there arent good historical fiction books about him just cause he wasnt scandalous or war hungry enough. Its disrespecting the creator of the Roman Empire.

There are always books and movies about Ceaser(his betrayal,murder) and Commudus(the fall of rome stuff). Nero(the fire) etc

Octavian for his sake should have been less good of an emperor and have some huge wars or scandals

[svalbard]

Her sixth book in the series, The October Horse, goes right up to the battle of Phillipi. Octavian features quite heavily in the book. The seventh book, Anthony and Cleopatra is slated for a September release.

For a good read on Octavian/Augustus, look out for an author called Alan Massie. He wrote a memoir called Augustus.

[Connavar]

A memoir? Is it a fiction story or purely historical? Cause there are alot of historic books about him but not many historical fiction.

[svalbard]

Historical fiction, told through the eyes of Augustus. Massie has done a number of books in this vein. Caeser and King David are two to look out for.

[Connavar]

Okey good to know.

Gotta look into the Augustus one.

[Riselka]

A trip to the bookstore yesterday revealed that there is now a seventh book in the Masters of Rome series called Antony and Cleopatra. It's available in trade paperback form here in Canada, but will not be released in the US until some time in December when they will get a hardback version of it. It looks to be available in Australia as well - not surprising since she lives "down under".

[svalbard]

I have just finished reading Anthony and Cleopatra. Purchased it in the UK last week. Whilst I enjoyed it, I found the pace a bit rushed and her writing was not as good as her previous books. But it is still worth a look and there are still some vintage McCullough stories about the Senate debates.

[Connavar]

Does Anthony and Cleopatra cover the finals years of Anthony? The war with Octavian, how they went from allies to enemies etc?


I like to watch and read about Anthony and Octavian/Augustus.


Also i wanna ask fans of her which of her works outside this series is the best? I wanna read her but i have read too many HF about Rome in the last year.

[Riselka]

Originally Posted by Connavar of Rigante

... Also i wanna ask fans of her which of her works outside this series is the best? I wanna read her but i have read too many HF about Rome in the last year.

Well, you're not getting too terribly far from Rome, but her A Song of Troy is an excellent telling of The Trojan War.

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by Connavar of Rigante

Does Anthony and Cleopatra cover the finals years of Anthony? The war with Octavian, how they went from allies to enemies etc?


I like to watch and read about Anthony and Octavian/Augustus.


Also i wanna ask fans of her which of her works outside this series is the best? I wanna read her but i have read too many HF about Rome in the last year.

It covers the whole period after the battle of Philipi. She wrote about that in her previous book the October Horse. She is quite balanced in her depiction of both Anthony and Octavian. But you are left with the feeling that if Anthony had not being such a lush he would have easily defeated Octavian.