Imperium is written by Robert Harris, who gave us Fatherland, Pompeii, and Archangel. I’ve not read his book Enigma. All could be described as historical novels, thrillers with an historical setting except that Fatherland like Len Deighton’s SS-GB and Phillip K. Dick’s Man in the High Castle (both great favorites of mine) deals with an alternate future.
Robert Harris is not to be confused with Thomas Harris, who wrote Black Sunday, Red Dragon and the novels better known as the “Silence of the Lambs” movies. That Harris delves into human aberration in contemporary times. Robert Harris looks to history as a framework for suspense and involvement.
Imperium is the tightest, most historically rigorous novel I’ve read recently. As historical biography, with only a few factual liberties taken, it is right up there with Irving Stone’s books. It is purportedly a lost book written by Cicero’s slave about his master in the last days of the Roman Republic. Ciceros’ own words as they have come down to us echo from the chapters of this book. Highest recommendation.
Brethren and Crusade are first novels by a new author, Robyn Young, centered around the Knights Templar in the middle to late 1200s. They are not in any sense historical romances, but are well-researched and adhere to a historical framework the limits of which the author carefully explains in the notes. Characterization is deeply rendered, each character being to an extent a product of a twisted past. These books are not pure entertainment, but have a message for the present. The author invents a secret movement within the Templars working for peace and multiculturalism, and makes it seem plausible. These are far superior to the Forever Amber type of historical novel, and remind me a little of The Thornbirds removed to the Templar preceptories of France and Acre. These books do contain some sex and much violence, and are not for children. Recommended.
