Pompeii

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Best seller

"Terrific...gripping... A literally shattering climax." (The New York Times Book Review)

All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii.

But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus has just taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to a quarter of a million people in nine towns around the Bay of Naples. His predecessor has disappeared. Springs are failing for the first time in generations. And now there is a crisis on the Augusta’ s 60-mile main line - somewhere to the north of Pompeii, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

Attilius - decent, practical, and incorruptible - promises Pliny, the famous scholar who commands the navy, that he can repair the aqueduct before the reservoir runs dry. His plan is to travel to Pompeii and put together an expedition, then head out to the place where he believes the fault lies. But Pompeii proves to be a corrupt and violent town, and Attilius soon discovers that there are powerful forces at work - both natural and man-made - threatening to destroy him.

With his trademark elegance and intelligence, Robert Harris, best-selling author of Archangel and Fatherland, re-creates a world on the brink of disaster.

©2003 Robert Harris (P)2003 Books On Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Blazingly exciting...Pompeii palpitates with sultry tension.... What makes this novel all but unputdownable...is the bravura fictional flair that crackles through it.... It is hard to imagine a more thoroughgoingly enjoyable thriller.” (London Sunday Times)

"Breakneck pace, constant jeopardy and subtle twists of plot...a blazing blockbuster... The depth of the research in the book is staggering.” (Daily Mail)

“[A] stirring and absorbing novel...The final 100 pages are terrific, as good as anything Harris has done; and the last, teasing paragraph, done with the lightest of touches, is masterly.” (The Sunday Telegraph)

Spell binding, rich.

The narration is fabulous, the story compelling. At first I thought, "Why do I want to listen to a 9 hour story about which I know the ending?" Worth every minute. I'm sorry it had to end.

The frightning anatomy of a disaster.

An absolutely convincing anatomy of the destruction of Pompeii as experienced by a civil engineer, including an exciting back story of certain mysterious events that lead up to the disaster. And, yes, there is an impossible love interest as well as political hand wringing and disdain toward a newbie on a job.

Pompeii (Unabridged) is a Good Listen

This was thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the listen.

poor narration, good writing

Would you consider the audio edition of Pompeii to be better than the print version?

No, the narration was not pleasing and dragged the overall effect down for me

What other book might you compare Pompeii to and why?

I, Claudius was a favorite I could easily compare to, with ancient Rome everyday life, political backstage and economic forces being presented in a most lively and catching manner.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Despite focusing on a historical event, the eruption of Mount Vezouvious, the author managed to engage us to take interest in each of the hereos and create suspense regarding their fate. The narration was displeasing, but not to the point that I would not recommend the audiobook.

Before and after Pompeii visit

I listen to this book before we visited Pompeii in Italy and found it fascinating to learn more about the city. I recently listened to it again after we've been home for six months and was thrilled to realize I could picture places he described in the book after being there myself in the ruins. How could any story be more realistic than that?
The story is told from the POV of the Aquarius who is newly appointed to care for the aquaduct that's supplied all of the Bay of Naples. There are other true historical figures such as Pliney the Elder and bits of Roman culture sprinkled throughout, and I learned a lot about history and the architecture of the area.
Even though we all know what happens in the end I became invested in the characters and was on the edge of my seat until the end to see who lived and who died.

Delightful for Roman History fans.

Solid story from an author who knows how to structure a story. Harris creates some solid stock characters and one or two compelling ones. He builds a pretty good world for the reader to get lost in. Quick moving plot and the narrator gives a great performance!

no one could have survived

I am without words to describe this shocking and amazing true event. Good characters kept my interest and made the story move along with the volcano. John Lees voice and erudition are unsurpassed.

Good Listening

Just finished listening to "Pompeii" last evening and think at this point I have to rate it as the best audible I have purchased. This is probably due, in large part, to the beautiful reading voice of John Lee. He carries you right along, no irritating pauses, no sniffs, slurps..in my opinion a perfect reading. There is also the fact that I learned something about volcanos, history, geography. The Aquarian may be the leading man but Vesuvius is definitely the star.

Outstanding narration makes this a great story

The narration of John Lee makes this an outstanding story. A clever use of the historical story of Pompeii's demise to tell a mystery. Interesting insights (assuming the research is accurate) of life in Roman times. Great insights into the role engineers and aquaducts played in the rise and spread of the Roman Empire. And a great story made even better by great narration. I highly recommend this as a very good listen.

Beautiful narrative and expertly read

Must be one of my favorite top 10 audio books I have hear in the past 8 years with Audible. The story line flows flawlessley and keeps the listener intrigued. Charaters are well defined and the narrator accentuates them even more without being too overbearing or over dramatic.