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)

Compelling Story

Interesting mix of intrique, science, and historical fact. was over before I wanted.

I Wept for Pompeii.

Oh what a sweet narrative. I have never wept during and after reading a historically accurate novel. This is a treasure. Pliny the elder's total resignation to his fate and Robert Harris's beautiful description of his death was to me, the final chapter and explanation of those casts that we see in Pompeii in their final death throws.
Many of us were brought being told that families were 'holding each other'. A consoling thought I am sure. Sadly we now know that nothing could be farther from the truth. This civilization died in agony.
No author explains it better and backs it up with scientific fact throughout this simply marvelous volume.

Historically accurate and great fun

Pompeii is a great story and narrated well. Harris has done a lot of research and adapted Roman culture in wonderfully creative, and faithful, ways. Instead of wincing at things that clash with the way Rome was, I was continually delighted at recognizing familiar people and practices from antiquity brought to life. Although several reviews call the "romantic" aspect of the plot unromantic and shallow, I thought both Cordelia and Attilius came off sounding like Romans. If you are looking for a great love story or a deeply complex thriller, you'll be disappointed. If you like ancient history (the volcano, aquaducts) and culture (Pliny, Petronius, savvy freedmen and dissipated aristocrats, the harsh life of slaves and poor) brought to life in a great story, you are in for a super read.

Pompeii

This was a truly excellent book; compelling at almost all points. I can recommend it very highly.

Very nice

Beautiful story told in an excellent voice. John Lee has a tone for every character. Easy to understand.

Inside view to an historical event

What did you like best about Pompeii? What did you like least?

I like reading what life was like during this time.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The enviornment, beliefs, life of rich romans, technology of the aquaducts.

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Lee?

yes,excellent narrator.

Could you see Pompeii being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

yes it could be a premium channel mini-series

Any additional comments?

I have to admit, I didnt finish it. It just took long to get to the big bang.

Loved it. A little predictable though.

This was a captivating enough story. Well read. But like the title says- a little predictable. And I'm not speaking historically 😉

Racially offensive in certain parts. Story is fair... nothing to get excited about... lacks character depth and originality.

Racially offensive in certain parts. Story is fair... nothing to get excited about... lacks character depth and originality.

not quite as good as Robert Harris' Cicero trilogy

Not quite as good a story as Robert Harris' Cicero trilogy but it was still written in the Robert Harris, suspenseful style I have grown to love.

Great book loved the story and the performance was

loved the story and the performance was great
Would recommend this book to anyone who loves Roman history