Review: The Course of Honor, written by Lindsey Davis
 The Course of Honor by Lindsey Davis |
Pros
• pro #1 Novel perspective on familiar Julio-Claudian era.
• pro #2 Rich in historical detail.
• pro #3 Pleasing writing style.
Cons
• con #1 For purists - an occasional modernism.
Pros
The Bottom Line -
This historically detailed love story of the lifelong affair between Antonia's secretary Caenis and Vespasian forms the background for the Marcus Didius Falco mystery series.
Product Description
Future Emperor Vespasian met Caenis when she was a slave secretary for Claudius' mother.
Vespasian climbs the Roman Course of Honor with the help of his mistress Caenis.
The lead character, Caenis, is portrayed as a powerful, independent, intelligent woman.
Lindsey Davis got the idea for Falco while writing Course of Honor.
Lindsey Davis provides rich detail of pre-Flavian Rome, its politics and lifestyles.
Quick Review The Course of Honor, by Lindsey Davis
Originally published, after much delay, in 1997, this is the prequel to the Marcus Didus Falco mystery series, where Caenis makes a cameo appearance. Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, mostly shadowy characters in the mystery series, come to life, in The Course of Honor, as noble, but poor men duty bound to try to progress up the Roman path of offices (the Course of Honor), little dreaming they might achieve the highest honor of all: the imperial throne. Through it all, Caenis -- initially a slave to the mother of Emperor Claudius (Antonia), and then a freedwoman and secretary -- stands behind them, giving money, administering first aid, and doing all else she can to help.
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