Grass Crown

By: Colleen McCullough

Narrated by: F. Murray Abraham

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The magnificent glory of Republican Rome is threatened when a struggle for power erupts among the men who shaped its hard-won peace. At its center are two extraordinary leaders: Gaius Marius, the general who saved Rome from Barbarian invasions, desperately trying to extend his reign for a prophesied and unprecedented seventh term as Consul; and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, once Marius' most trusted right-hand man, now a dangerous rival hungry for his own taste of political success.

As the two men battle for position, they are surrounded by a new generation of statesman, soldiers and lovers, from Senate intriguers and their ambitious wives to the child of destiny, Gaius Julius Caesar.

An absorbing tale of a Republic fighting for its survival in a world of treachery, barbarism and never-ending war, The Grass Crown is a remarkable entry in Colleen McCullough's brilliant and unprecedented series on the rise and fall of the world's greatest civilization.

©1991 Colleen Mccullough (P)1991 Simon & Schuster

Good Continuation of First Man in Rome

What made the experience of listening to Grass Crown the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed First Man in Rome and the Grass Crown was a good continuation. McCullough does a great job developing the characters, presenting a historical theatre, and creating plausible political and verbal instances.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I can never decide between Sulla or Marius. I respect Sulla because he did a lot of the "dirty work" in the first book and continues in this one. His downside though is the chip on his shoulder and chaotic personal life. Marius on the other hand represents the true man, good in deed, intelligent and strong. However, his demise comes from an upwelling of pride, which to any with a sense of humility, is distasteful.

Which character – as performed by F. Murray Abraham – was your favorite?

Hell they were all good!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wasn't "moved" per se. The entire book was good.

Any additional comments?

I wish McCullough's Rome series was NOT abridged.

Longer version please.

I hate that the 800+ page book was diminished to a few short hours. Davina Porters reading was better.

Abridged Again

What did you love best about Grass Crown?

Great story and historical characters brought to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Grass Crown?

I have now listened through the book "Caesar" and so honestly can't remember a specific scene. I can say, however, that the memory of the relationship between Gaius Marius and Sulla will long stay with me.

Would you listen to another book narrated by F. Murray Abraham?

Perhaps it was the change in reader that I found distracting as I had come to feel I "knew" the voices of the central characters. Abraham is a good reader, no doubt but I never adjusted to him in this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

I detest the abridgements.

WOW!!!

I have never listened to a book that was a captivating as the reading of the same text until now! Excellent combo of voice talent, story, and writing! McCullough is unrivaled in historical fiction. Love love loved it!!!

Abridged!

Great book, only drawback is it is missing some wonderful detail. Please someone record unabridged!

story suffers

I have read both versions, and the abridged version is hard to understand. Many facts are glossed over.

great lost, her recent death... irreplaceable.

loved it immensely. A unique way to tell such complex story ( involving real personas that helped forge what we, as Europeans an westerners, are today, 2000 years later). Bravo for your books and life well lived. A modern eclectic genius.

Don't mind that it's abridged

I'll be the dissenting voice for all the people railing against the abridged version. The whole series is tremendous fun, but fine literature it is not. Some of the books in the series I listened to the full audiobook or read the book proper, and I'm sorry these books work a LOT better at six hours than at twenty five hours. The plot is stripped to basics and it works with characters' very direct prose to create an almost Hemmingway-esque feel to the novel.

I do feel that First Man in Rome and The Grass Crown are the best books in the series, and actually I did go between the abridged audiobook and the hardcover. Yes, you do lose something with the abridged version of the book, and there is occasional awkwardness from covering for the skipped sections, but ultimately I think it is the most enjoyable way to get through what is a bit of pulp-ish fun.

I don't like abridged books

This is probably a great book and is read well. When I bought it I didn't realize it was abridged. The plot is hard to follow and you miss out on all the extra pieces that build the characters. Too bad.

A Wonderful Audio Rendition

The book was enrapturing but this audio adaptation is masterful! The presentation by Mr. Abraham perfectly captures the events and intonations of the characters.