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)

Just ok

I did learn something of volcanoes but there wasn't much of a story wrapped around it. It almost felt abridged.

Excellent!

Great story with detailed (just enough to be amazing and not annoying) descriptoins of life in the Roman Empire in its post Republic days. Characters come to life as if your are watching a movie. Hats off to John Lee, for he has done a great job narrating the story. His reading makes the story twice addictive.

Riveting, wonderful historical fiction

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Roman history, geology, volcanoes, action, suspense, engineering, ancient culture, Pliny (both the elder and the younger) thrills, and yes, even love - really, this book has it all. I can't wait for the movie! The characters are vivid, the historical details are fascinating. The reader was excellent. Enjoy!

We All Know How It Ends

What did you love best about Pompeii?

I loved how the history of Rome, Pompei and the engineering of the aqueduct were so important in telling the story. Timeless because politics and greed never change and the indicision of some folks led to their downfall. We had characters to pull for and folks we hoped were done to death by the ash.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The water engineer and Pliny the elder.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Don't mean to be a smarty but an artful reader is a great addition, but I listen to books when I drive or work, so a good reader makes the book enjoyable and possible.

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

When Pliny the elder realizes his fate and how he met it head on.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book because it was well written, interesting historically and you cared about the characters.

Interesting

Interesting read. Predictable, as we all know the outcome, but gives good background, and an interesting perspective of the social structures of the time.

Exciting telling of ancient history

I listened to Pompeii to prepare for my upcoming trip to the area. I was enthralled by this narrative which proved once again that fictional accounts bring history to life and make it memorable. I learned a lot about architecture, life style, social stratification, food, wine, the importance of water, religious beliefs or lack thereof, and the science of volcanology by listening to this well narrated account of the two days before and after the eruption of Vesuvius. The characters were developed well enough to keep my interest. The book moved along at the pace of a thriller. I’m all the more curious to study this eruption and Pliny (one of the characters).

A very interesting read

I found this to be one of the better books that I’ve read in some time. The Roman names, while appropriate for the period, made it somewhat difficult to follow the individual characters at first, but apart from that it was a very entertaining book. I learned a good bit about Roman civilization, Pompeii and Vesuvius. Narration was excellent and the story held my attention throughout. Recommended.

Entrancing

A beautifully narrated story of the daily lives of the people along the coast of Campania Italy up to the famous eruption of Vesuvius in ad 79. Their plots for wealth, the good and evil of humankind and our arrogance in thinking we can control nature and it’s raw power when unleashed. I particularly liked the scientific briefs at the start of each chapter describing the eruption. Very well researched and written! Thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction as only Robert Harris can do.

Brings Pompeii to life

A well written, well told story that gives the reader a true perspective of what life was like before the eruption of Vesuvius. Particularly recommend reading if you are planning a visit to Pompeii.

Good story makes history come alive

If you could sum up Pompeii in three words, what would they be?

A describsion of all leavels of life - in a roman empire during a vulcanoeruption.

Who was the most memorable character of Pompeii and why?

The water specialist.