You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for August is Pompeii by Robert Harris. Please discuss the book in this thread.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have completed the book before or during August 2015.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions.
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy Reading!

I started this book yesterday!! It's easy to enjoy a book when the author sets the scenes so well the book plays out in your mind like a film. This is one of those kinds of books!!!

It's great to hear you enjoying it already! I will be reading this one but not until a bit later in the month.

It has been years since I read this but I loved it. It was very engaging and turned me on to the author.

I read this several years ago too. I thought Harris did a great job of bringing the Ancient Roman world and the horror of the eruption to life. It must have been a truly terrifying thing to witness and experience and I felt that came across well in the book.

I just finished Pompeii and have included my review here.

Would be great if you could discuss the book in this thread too Jayme. It is the discussion that we award badges for. Thanks for the review link too.

OK. Well to be honest there was a lot that I liked about the book, but more that I didn't like. As a history teacher I liked how Harris developed the book describing the aqueduct systems and imparting clues to the engineers that something was wrong. As readers we know the problems are because Mount Vesuvius is going to blow, but the people of course didn't and what they thought were the reasons for the problems were fascinating. I also didn't know (view spoiler)[that Pompeii was recovering from a severe earthquake 17 years earlier and had been experiencing earthquakes since (hide spoiler)] which was another important clue to the volcano exploding.

What I didn't like about the book was that I felt Harris put in elements that were unnecessary to the story and distracted from the main event - the destruction of Pompeii. When I read distractors in a story it makes me think that the author does not think what he/she has written can stand alone and needs something grittier to get the readers attention. Example - last third of the book, (view spoiler)[when Attilius is telling Corelia about his wife dying in childbirth he didn't have to say that the baby was ripped out piece by piece in a difficult childbirth and give details. I felt that was written for shock value, or to give Harris the benefit of the doubt for writing it in the story, to show how barbaric Roman medical practices were - still unnecessary to the story. (hide spoiler)]

Pompeii is a quick read, and I did learn a few things, so it wasn't a waste of my time, but I think there are better books out there about the history and destruction of Pompeii. I do need to mention that I have found myself reading less and less historical fiction in the last few years and reading more non-fiction if I want to know the "truth" about a subject, so my opinion is a bit slanted.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jayme. It's a shame you didn't enjoy it more. I guess it can be difficult reading a fiction book about a subject you know a lot about especially if things don't tally up.

Your mention of the aquatic system intrigues me as we have addicts here, two which we've driven our boat over. Not dated as old as Ancient Rome though. We're the aquaducts for carrying water to properties, bathhouses or for boats to travel on?

Stupid predictive text put aquatic in instead of aquaduct!

Sarah wrote: "Stupid predictive text put aquatic in instead of aquaduct!"

Actually, I think your first sentence is funnier... When I first read it I thought you wrote that you ran over two addicts (people) with your boat. The aqueduct systems were used primarily for carrying water to the population and were mostly underground.

Lol. I didn't spot the autocorrect of addict. Funny how it gave me two different words from aquaduct.

Jayme wrote: "I do need to mention that I have found myself reading less and less historical fiction in the last few years and reading more non-fiction if I want to know the "truth" about a subject, so my opinion is a bit slanted...."

I've been doing this too. I've found that the history is more important to me these days than a good story.

In Rome the aqueducts gave the most water to the rich and less to the poor. So when one or more of the aqueducts dried up in the summer, it was the poor who suffered, I wonder if it was set up the same in Pompeii?

Darn! So many good books to read! Can I read them all at the same time?

I was laughing at the auto-correct comments of the canals and aqueducts and my granddaughter wanted to know what was so funny. Back to Achilles for now. I will get to Pompeii soonest. I found another book about Pompeii in my TBR list but cannot link right now. I think it is a non-fiction book I found after I saw a documentary.

I'm starting Pompeii today. I'm looking forward to it. I just finished the Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy (The Winter King) and I'm happy to still be in that ancient timeframe.

I am shuffling back and forth between three books now. I left the engineer on his way to Pompeii in the Minerva the day before the explosion. It is an interesting account. The descriptions of the inside of the giant water reservoir reminded me of the last Dan Brown book.

I started last night and am hooked already. I found the description of the water resevior fascinating. I think that's where I left the aquarius last night. Looks like this one will be a quick read.

Tasha wrote: "I'm starting Pompeii today. I'm looking forward to it. I just finished the Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy (The Winter King) and I'm happy to still be in that ancient timeframe."

thanks for linking The Winter King just added to my TBR pile :)

That is a great series. Cornwell is such a great writer. His battle scenes are intense.

Battle scenes is the entire novel of Cornwells Azincourt or Agincourt same difference. I loved it

Jayme - could you put a chapter indicator before the spoiler in your second paragraph so I am not the only one who reads about something in the book that they haven't gotten to yet. That got my attention, wether it was necessary to be in the story or not! Whew.

I was just reading your post trying to figure out what you didn't like about the book...

Travis of NNY wrote: "Battle scenes is the entire novel of Cornwells Azincourt or Agincourt same difference. I loved it"

He writes them so well. I haven't read that one yet.

I came across these other titles in my TBR list.
The Last Days of Pompeii,
The Last Days of Pompeii - this is a screen play of a mini-series that was based on the first title. I watched the mini-series and thought it was pretty good.
A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii, and
You Wouldn't Want to Live in Pompeii! A Volcanic Eruption You'd Rather Avoid.
I think I added this last one when I was looking at the series that this author has written for my grandson.

Here's one I found on my tbr:

A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii

I read some this morning before work, but I did not note what chapter I am on. The engineer was making arangements for some horses and oxen in Pompeii. Anyone as interested in knowing what happened to previous engineer as I am? Is he dead? Did he just leave?

I am. :)
I'm looking forward to getting back to this one tonight.

Cherie wrote: "Jayme - could you put a chapter indicator before the spoiler in your second paragraph so I am not the only one who reads about something in the book that they haven't gotten to yet. That got my at..."

I returned the book to the library yesterday, so I don't know off hand the exact chapter, but it was in the last third of the book. I will indicate that in my discussion.

I am at page 133 in my ebook copy which indicates 246 pages. Some flamingos just flew up into the air and scared the guys with Attilius. They are at a lake? (view spoiler)[ that stuff where Attilius was looking all over for the previous aquarius was boring. Who was that guy that had the meeting with Corelia's father that she overheard and where the heck is she going? My thoughts before saying - good night! (hide spoiler)]

I'm nearing the end. I've enjoyed it so far. I find this all so fascinating as I've never read anything about the aqueducts or the volcano eruptions. I've heard of these obviously but never read anything about them.

Jayme, I read the part where you spoilered in msg 8: (view spoiler)[the aquarius telling Corelia the story of his wife's death and I agree, what was the purpose of that story?! (hide spoiler)]

While it's interesting and a quick read, it's not much more than a generally good read so I'm thinking it's going to be a 3.5-4 star read for me. I'll try more of Robert Harris's stuff though, this is my first.

Now that the volcano has erupted, it's more interesting. I'm really curious to see how this plays out in the story with all the characters. At this point we already know what happened to the previous aquarius and now let's see what happens to the others and Pompeii. Fascinating stuff.

I think I may pick up A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii later this month.

I'm curious to see what you think of the ending, I thought it was a bit over the top but it sounds like you're enjoying the book more than I did so I wonder if you'll like it better.

Jayme wrote: "I returned the book to the library yesterday, so I don't know off hand the exact chapter, but it was in the last third of the book. I will indicate that in my discussion..."

Thanks, Jayme.

Dawn wrote: "I'm curious to see what you think of the ending, I thought it was a bit over the top but it sounds like you're enjoying the book more than I did so I wonder if you'll like it better."

Me too. I'm not connecting with any of the characters, they don't seem all that fleshed out to me but I'm totally into the wild nature of the volcano and what's happening in the towns right now. It's fascinating. Once the volcano erupts: (view spoiler)[ I can't even imagine it raining rocks. I love when it gets dark right before a storm, I love storms, so I'm fascinated with the miles long, miles wide black cloud. However, I'm thinking that's a bit much even for my taste. ;) Those poor people going through all this, it's unreal. (hide spoiler)]

Although I have just started the book, I like the way Harris pulls me into the novel with the conflict between the engineer Attilius and the overseer Corax. I really like Attilius and want to know if he will survive the volcano's eruption.

I thought the same thing, Connie. I felt engaged right away. I like the volcano/magma statistics at the beginning of the chapters, as well as the time and name of the hour/division.
Hmm, I was going to move over to Achilles from my series book but Pompeii is calling now.

MERCURY - VESPERA [20:00 hours]. (view spoiler)[I think they were looking for the break and found a lake. It did not occur to me that a break in the Aqua Augusta meant a blockage. The settling tanks were interesting. Who knew how much went into moving water from one place to another entailed? Washed gravel - who knew? (hide spoiler)]

The bit about the slave being fed to the eels because of the death of the fish was pretty intense, but it did make an impact about the importance of the water supply to the people during that time period. I think it is interesting that the master of the villa was once a slave himself. He seems to be a terrible master, so he must not remember what it was like being the slave. Even his daughter seems to have no loving feelings for him.

I was impressed when Attilius found the executed slave's mother and brought her to his home for medical treatment. (view spoiler)[ That her master would whip her and then throw her out into the street after he had killed her innocent son tells us volumes about the master. (hide spoiler)]

Cherie, I like the way the hours and days are broken up, too.

Corax makes me very nervous. (view spoiler)[ When they get to Pompeii and Corax keeps looking back, it seems that he is up to something nefarious. He is always saying negative things about Attilius to the other men and has a general cynical attitude. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, I think Corax is going to live up to our expectation of maybe being a bad guy, Connie.

It seems to be something that people do that is not conscious maybe. One would think that if you had been a slave and knew how it was to be treated badly, if you have a chance to be on the "other side" that you would not do the same things that had been done to you, but would be better and not perpetrate the same bad behaviors. It seems like they do bad thing even worse to to their slaves. I think the power and greed went to Ampliatus' head.

The eel plays a part in the story later, and it is just as gross. Not like anything to look forward to or my giving anything away, so no spoiler.

I liked what Attilius did for the slave's mother too. He seems like a nice guy.

Oh, I just got to the end of Mercury - Vespera. (view spoiler)[
I can't believe Brebix let go of the rope! I thought he was a good guy. (hide spoiler)]

Back to Ampliatus at the beginning of Mercury - Nocte Concubia [22:07 hrs]. I don't care - back to the tunnel! (view spoiler)[gross about the bull being sacrificed and how he liked to see it. LOL that he was the innovator of street lights in Pompeii. Seems like he has everyone in the palm of his hand. "Invisible currency of power". ie; bribery and blackmail. Sounds like he is "robbing Peter to pay Paul" to keep things running. Oh, he just thought about the Aquarius not coming back. So - something had been plotted. Nooooo! (hide spoiler)]. Sorry, I might have gotten carried away. After the section break: (view spoiler)[yay- he made it! Maybe I was wrong about Brebix. Oh, the Aquarius is upset. 4 letter words now. Have there been any before and I didn't notice? Ah, Corelia has found them. (hide spoiler)] off to bed.

Cherie, re: your Vespera (view spoiler)[ I think that he didn't let go, I think the power of the water forced it from his hands. I'm already finished but I thought it read that Atilius saw rope burns on Brebix's hands? Maybe I'm wrong. I know Atilius came out thinking that B let go bc the rope was in such good shape but I think he peeked at Brebix's hands later and saw burn marks. (hide spoiler)]

I finished last night but I think I may reread the ending as I was falling asleep. Not sure what to make of the ending so thats why I may re-read it. Ending (view spoiler)[ I think that Atilius and Corelia survive but it's not clear to me which is why I really should reread that part. (hide spoiler)]

I definitely enjoyed this one but never felt connected with the characters, they felt a bit flat to me, but the natural disaster and the innovations of the Romans and the times were done well. I liked the statistics at the beginning of each chapter too, it made what was happening in the story even more suspenseful.

I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for those people during the event. We recently had the Pompeii exhibit come through our town. I didn't go for several reasons but one was that people who did go said it was small and not all that exciting. I wish I had read this book before that time bc I think I would have gone now after reading this.

I plan on reading more roman stuff hopefully this month. I really enjoyed this theme!

Dawn wrote: "I'm curious to see what you think of the ending, I thought it was a bit over the top but it sounds like you're enjoying the book more than I did so I wonder if you'll like it better."

What did you feel was over the top? I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending but like I said, I was falling asleep so feel like I should reread that last bit. Was it the way he described the characters' deaths?

Mars-Hora Quinta
When Attilius meets Corelia Ampliata in Pompeii, (view spoiler)[he is shocked to learn that her father owns the Popidius house, and Ampliatus plans to marry Corelia to Lucius Popidius, the aging playboy. Because of Attilius's emotional reaction to Corelia, I think he will end up with Corelia. (at least I hope he will) (hide spoiler)]
I love it when Corelia tells Attilius, "don't let him (Ampliatus) trap you, as he's trapped the rest of us."

Tasha wrote: "Cherie, re: your Vespera [spoilers removed]"

You are right Tasha. :)

Connie wrote: "Mars-Hora Quinta
When Attilius meets Corelia Ampliata in Pompeii, [spoilers removed]
I love it when Corelia tells Attilius, "don't let him (Ampliatus) trap you, as he's trapped the rest of us.""

LOL! I kept looking at Mars-Hora Quinta and thinking, what IS that? Then I realized it was the part and chapter name.

My ebook copy lists the Contents as
Part 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Part 2
Chapter 6 etc, up to Part 4 Chapter 21 with no page numbers indicated.
However, the way the actual book is laid out, is the Parts are Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus (named after the days of the week), with the page numbers at the beginning of each. The chapters within each part are the Hour names.
page 8 shows:
Mars
22 August
Two days before the eruption
CONTICINIUM
[04:21 hours]

Why does all of this matter you are asking? Because - No matter what chapter link I touch in my ebook it only takes me to the first page of each day of the week. So frustrating when I want to go back and look something up. I have to page through the whole section to get to where I want to go! Why do I care? I wanted to edit my comments to make sure everyone knew where I was talking about in the book.

I spent all that time trying to figure out where I was that I didn't get much reading done. I got to the end of Mercury - Nocte Concubia [22:07 hrs]. (view spoiler)[Attilius is getting worried about what is going on. Corelia is sleeping after showing him the scrolls he found. Maybe Exomnius didn't run away. Maybe he climbed up on the mountain to investigate and got caught in a pocket of gas and died. (hide spoiler)]

Next section: Jupiter - 24 August, The day of the eruption - HORA PRIMA [06:20 hours] - now, I am trying to remember when the mountain erupted in the documentary I watched.

Connie wrote: "Mars-Hora Quinta
When Attilius meets Corelia Ampliata in Pompeii, [spoilers removed]
I love it when Corelia tells Attilius, "don't let him (Ampliatus) trap you, as he's trapped the rest of us.""

(view spoiler)[was this the section with the dinner scene? Wasn't that awful? (hide spoiler)]

I am babysitting my grandson tonight, so I probably won't get much reading done tonight. I'm off work tomorrow, but lots of running around with Ryan to do and his mom and a friend are coming early Saturday to help me get some major yard work done.

Tasha wrote: "What did you feel was over the top? I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending but like I said, I was falling asleep so feel like I should reread that last bit. Was it the way he described the characters' deaths?..."

No not so much that, the fact that they (view spoiler)[escaped through tunnels that only he knew about was a bit much for me and the whole out running the ash, cloud and bad dudes on the way. (hide spoiler)] It just felt over dramatic to me, like it was a Clive Cussler novel, entirely unprobable.