Can't believe we've gone from snow and freezing rain to a random day at 20 Celsius!! Heading back down to colder temperatures tonight though ☹️. Staring this one for #authoramonth . I enjoyed the first book in this series so thought I'd give book 2 a read. Looking forward to journeying into Ancient Rome! @Soubhiville
pickThis book was a fascinating glimpse into the constantly changing politics of Ancient Rome, from a female point of view. Livia was the wife and trusted advisor of the emperor Augustus. Although I didn‘t always agree with some of the choices she made, I couldn‘t help but admire the way she worked through the constraints placed upon her as a wealthy woman, to become a powerful, influential force for the good of the Roman people.
It‘s time for our #LiteraryCrew discussion! And sorry everyone…I really fizzled out on this. I also really struggled with the book‘s writing, so there are only 4 questions posted. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month‘s #BuddyRead is The Briar Club. Reminder will be posted tomorrow!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf4. Admittedly, I struggled with the writing style in this novel. I just could not connect with the narrative. Any comments on the writing or the style of the novel? Did you the first person narrative enhanced or took away from the telling of Livia's story? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Moving away from the characters, let's look at the bigger picture discussed--the Roman Empire post-assassination. How familiar were you with events prior to the novel? How does the novel portray the events?
Quick reference guide from the History Channel:
https://www.history.com/articles/julius-caesar-assassination-fall-roman-republic
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Now that we have some additional facts about Livia, what did you think of her? History considers her to be cold, calculating, heartless, and ruthless. Is that a fair assessment? Think about the men in her circle. How does this novel portray them, and if you are familiar with them, is their portrayal in the novel fair? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. Smith allows us to go inside the thoughts of Livia as she becomes involved with the most powerful men in Rome. Were you familiar with Livia before reading this book?
History Hit did 10 facts about her: https://www.historyhit.com/facts-about-livia-drusilla/
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
pickKate Quinn brings a tale of living in Rome in the first century. The age of gladiators fighting to the death in the arena. This was a time brutal punishment and a very different way of life. There are lots of slavery and mistresses and whores. Lepida Pollia is a terrible and conniving woman with no integrity or morals. This has been my least favorite of Kate Quinn‘s novels. However, I still have it 4/5⭐️
pickAncient coliseum battleground, sacrifice, early Christians, politics, and cruel villains are written in the background where two slaves fall in love and are heinously separated. This book truly has it all. I intend to read all of Kate Quinn. TW - coliseum fights and torture are graphic #ancientRome #jubilee #FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks
so-soThis was an ok historical fiction on the early life of the wife of Caesar Augustus. #literarycrew
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