A Gladiator Dies Only Once

by Steven Saylor | Mystery & Thrillers |
ISBN: 1845291255 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Heaven-Ali of Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on 3/14/2007
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5 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Large hardback

Donated to bookcrossing by friends of my parents.

Fresh from his duel of wits with Cleopatra in "The Judgement of Caesar", Gordianus the Finder, detective of ancient Rome, returns in this new collection of short stories. Nine tales of mystery, murder and intrigue take Gordianus from the seamy streets of Rome to elegant villas on the Bay of Naples, and from a Sicilian graveyard with a deadly secret to a bloody battlefield in Spain. Whether against the spectacular backdrop of a chariot race, or settling a domestic dispute with his beautiful Egyptian concubine Bethesda, Gordianus is always on the case. As in Saylor's previous collection, "The House of the Vestals", all the stories in "A Gladiator Dies Only Once" take place early in Gordianus's career. Often at his side, rapidly growing up, is the mute boy Eco, his adopted son. Frequently conferring with Gordianus is his good-hearted patrician friend, Lucius Claudius. Cicero, the great lion of the Roman law courts, makes several appearances. Sertorius, the rebel general who set up a rival Roman state in Spain, casts a shadow across the book from beginning to end, and makes a haunting appearance in the story "The White Fawn." In the title story, a beautiful Nubian actress begs to Gordianus to solve an impossible problem: how can she have just seen her beloved brother in the marketplace, when she previously saw him die a gruesome death as a gladiator?

Released 16 yrs ago (6/30/2007 UTC) at BCUK Unconvention 2007 in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom

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On to the table of books

Journal Entry 3 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, July 22, 2007
Why did I stop journalling halfway through the box?! My apologies for missing out this one (amongst others) - I picked it up at the Unconvention, and am really looking forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 4 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Where has this book been hiding for nearly two years?! I loved it, sorry it took me so long to get round to it! Although not as engaging as the novels, each of the stories has its own interest, and it is well worth dipping into.

Journal Entry 5 by WistfulDragon at Lisbon, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (6/30/2009 UTC) at Lisbon, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal

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This one is being posted to Kizmiaz. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 6 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, July 3, 2009
Just got it and just started it, thanks WistfulDragon.

Journal Entry 7 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Monday, July 6, 2009
Well this collection of short stories was, in my opinion, a lot tighter than The House of Vestals.
In these nine short stories the author fills some gaps in Gordianus life and adventures, and he does it so well and with such a researched historical background that one feels like one is travelling in those days and in those places.
This Roma sub Rosa series is probably one of the best well woven in that historical/mystery field of literature, the more I read the more I crave and it really satisfies me to get my hands, and eyes, on another piece of Gordianus adventures.
The author delivers such tight plots and such characterization that you really have to try it, if you like historical novels, that is.
About the nine stories themselves I didn’t enjoy them all the same way and I did like some better than others but in the Gordianus series I’ve found that I like the more politically driven stories better than the others, so maybe it’s me.
The ones I enjoyed the most were: The Consul’s Wife, The White Fawn, Archimedes’ Tomb, A Gladiator Dies Only Once and The Cherries of Lucullus. I also enjoyed the cynicism on Poppy and The Poisoned Cake, that was quite representative of politicians then and now.
Certainly a worthy addiction to the novels these short stories are just the right appetizer before a feast of a Gordianus novel.

Journal Entry 8 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sent to conto so that she can have a taste of Steven Saylor's writting.

Journal Entry 9 by conto from Lisboa (city), Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sorry! Forgot to journal this one but here I am stating that I will read this one, as soon as I get rid of some others. I guess it won't take too long though!
Thanks a lot K.!

Journal Entry 10 by conto from Lisboa (city), Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Sunday, September 27, 2009
How great!! I do must get my hand on some of Saylor's novels, because these short stories left a promess of good writing and good plotting.
The best ones, at least as I see it, were 'A Gladiator Dies Only Once', 'Poppy and The Poisoned Cake' and 'The Cherries of Lucullus. I also liked a lot of details from some of the others, but... well, using kizmiaz statement, they felt more like an appetizer and I'll be waiting for the promised "feast of a Gordianus novel"!

Back to its master, now. Thank you so much, K.

Journal Entry 11 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Monday, September 28, 2009
It's home now.

Journal Entry 12 by kizmiaz at Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, January 13, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (1/13/2011 UTC) at Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal

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sent as a part o ELHUrricane's virtual BBOx

Journal Entry 13 by wingArvoreswing at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Sunday, January 30, 2011
It's with me now. I'm sorry for taking so long to JE, but I've been away for some time.
I'll be back to you as soon as I read it.
Thanks for sharing.

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