The Judgment of Caesar - Hardcover

Saylor, Steven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312271190 ISBN 13: 9780312271190

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2004

Synopsis

Heading to Egypt in search of a cure for his wife's mysterious illness, Gordianus the Finder and his ailing wife, Bethesda, arrive in a country struggling to recover from the war between Caesar and Pompey and dealing with the power struggle between Ptolemy and his sister Cleopatra, a situation that rapidly worsens when Bethesda vanishes. 25,000 first printing.

About this title

Review

"But the real substance of the book is Saylor's confident recreation of Alexandria at this crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a great strength, as is the evocation of an ancient city: he does here for Alexandria what he has already achieved for Rome. His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation."-"Sunday Times "(London)
"[A] superb historical novel...the reader is engaged throughout...this is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel real...longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus's personal relationships fascinating, but the back story is not so complex as to bar new readers from entering Saylor's world."
-"Publishers Weekly "(Starred Review)
"A solid series addition.""-Library Journal"
"Superb. From the exceptional attention to historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes the most of it. This is a great getaway novel."-"Globe & Mail"
"Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical mystery couldn't do better."-"Kirkus Reviews "(Starred Review)

But the real substance of the book is Saylor's confident recreation of Alexandria at this crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a great strength, as is the evocation of an ancient city: he does here for Alexandria what he has already achieved for Rome. His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation. "Sunday Times (London)"

[A] superb historical novel...the reader is engaged throughout...this is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel real...longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus's personal relationships fascinating, but the back story is not so complex as to bar new readers from entering Saylor's world. "Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)"

A solid series addition. "Library Journal"

Superb. From the exceptional attention to historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes the most of it. This is a great getaway novel. "Globe & Mail"

Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical mystery couldn't do better. "Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)""

But the real substance of the book is Saylor's confident recreation of Alexandria at this crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a great strength, as is the evocation of an ancient city: he does here for Alexandria what he has already achieved for Rome. His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation. Sunday Times (London)

[A] superb historical novel...the reader is engaged throughout...this is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel real...longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus's personal relationships fascinating, but the back story is not so complex as to bar new readers from entering Saylor's world. Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

A solid series addition. Library Journal

Superb. From the exceptional attention to historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes the most of it. This is a great getaway novel. Globe & Mail

Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical mystery couldn't do better. Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"

"But the real substance of the book is Saylor's confident recreation of Alexandria at this crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a great strength, as is the evocation of an ancient city: he does here for Alexandria what he has already achieved for Rome. His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation." --Sunday Times (London)

"[A] superb historical novel...the reader is engaged throughout...this is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel real...longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus's personal relationships fascinating, but the back story is not so complex as to bar new readers from entering Saylor's world." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"A solid series addition." --Library Journal

"Superb. From the exceptional attention to historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes the most of it. This is a great getaway novel." --Globe & Mail

"Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical mystery couldn't do better." --Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

From the Back Cover

In a relentless quest to secure his claim as ruler of Rome, Julius Caesar becomes enmeshed with Ptolemy and Cleopatra, sibling rivals to the Egyptian throne. Against the compelling but ominous backdrop of ancient Alexandria, storms are brewing and lives are about to be annihilated...

In 48 B.C., Roman generals Caesar and Pompey have long engaged in a battle to rule the world. Now, as Pompey plots a reckless stand on the banks of the Nile, Gordianus the Finder-who has brought his wife Bethesda to the river seeking a cure for her in its sacred waters-finds himself suddenly at the heart of a series of treacherous and history-altering events.

While Caesar and Cleopatra embark on a legendary romance, Egypt remains ravaged by the brutal contest between the Queen and her brother King Ptolemy. Worst of all for Gordianus, his once-disowned son and Caesar's right-hand man, stands falsely accused of murder. Caesar's judgment will decide Meto's fate, and it is up to Gordianus to somehow overcome colossal
malevolent forces to reveal the carefully obscured truth and spare his son's life.

"It would be impossible to imagine a more stellar lineup of suspects in all imperial Rome."
-Kirkus Reviews

"One of the best mystery series being published today...A pitch-perfect work...gripping prose."
-Austin Chronicle

About this edition

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0312271190
• ISBN 13: 9780312271190
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 290