Caligula

Reviews / Votes

Evocative, researched to the inch and a truly different take on one of history's villains . . . All through this I am seeing Al Pacino in The Godfather, slowly stained darker and darker by power and blood -- Robert Low, author of The Oathsworn series Simon Turney brings an authentic, intriguing - and above all, fresh - new eye to one of the best-known names in the Roman world. Caligula has long been reviled as a weak, petty tyrant. In Turney's capable hands, we see the human behind the myth: a complex man brought down by the exigencies of the office, but who could, with more luck, have been one of the great Emperors of history. This is a cracking book, alive with the sights and sounds of an ancient Rome brought vividly to life by one of the rising stars of the genre. I read it in one sitting, and you can't say better than that -- Manda Scott, author of the Boudica series Enthralling and original, brutal and lyrical by turns. With powerful imagery and carefully considered history Simon Turney provides a credible alternative to the Caligula myth that will have the reader questioning everything they believe they know about the period -- Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series An inspired new take on Caligula that combines the pace of a thriller with the grand sweep of a tragedy - a gripping read that echoes in the memory long after the last page is turned -- Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus series A harrowing and visceral tale that draws you into the pulsing heart of Ancient Rome -- Gordon Doherty, author of the Legionary series In this compelling ancient-world saga, Turney skilfully reimagines the life of history's most reviled emperor. Told from the eyes of Caligula's clever and devoted sister, it's a fascinating, fast-paced, page-turner! -- Stephanie Dray, NYT bestselling author of LILY OF THE NILE Caligula as you've never seen him before! In this exciting new tale from Simon Turney, the much-maligned emperor of Rome steps forward not as a maddened psychopath, but as a brave and tormented young man struggling to navigate the snake-pit that is his own Imperial family. A powerfully moving read from one of the best ancient world authors in the business -- Kate Quinn, USA today bestselling author of THE ALICE NETWORK and MISTRESS OF ROME A close and intimate portrait of a young man's rise to power in a murderously dangerous society, and his vertiginous descent into vindictive rage and excess. Compelling, claustrophobic, and utterly convincing, this is a story of gilded lives on the edge of a precipice -- Ian Ross, author of WAR AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Brilliant . . . a gripping gallop of a read, impeccably researched, beautifully written, impossible to put down -- Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw Chronicles This exuberant take on one of the great monsters of history is exhilarating in its revisionist energy; Simon Turney is a truly cherishable talent -- Barry Forshaw This is a masterpiece of historical fiction. I've always considered Caligula to be the mad, incestuous tyrant we are always led to believe he was, so I struggled to see how Turney could turn this around and paint him as human. But it does it so well -- NetGalley reviewer Turney weaves a tale that shows Caligula as a real, flawed human being, thrust into a life that so vary rarely ends well. His pains are real. And even as he slowly descends into a form of madness that was inescapable, and towards a fate that we already know, I found myself rooting for old little boots. Its a sad tale, beautifully told by a master storyteller -- NetGalley reviewer Caligula is a monster we all know and love to hate. Simon Turney's novel challenges our prejudice and sketches a more understanding view of the Roman emperor . . . Turney's version is an entirely plausible take on the sources. We pity the boy, even as we deplore the insane violence of the man. Caligula is an engrossing new spin on a well-known tale -- Antonia Senior * The Times * Superbly researched and elegantly written. A powerful and original narrative that should appeal to his existing fans and win him many more * Nick Brown, author of the Agent of Rome series * Inspired . . . a mesmerising, haunting and disturbing portrait of Caligula -- Kate Atherton * Sunday Express S Mag * Turney's masterful, persuasive writing makes you start to question everything you have ever read about Rome's most tyrannical ruler . . . Finding humanity and redeeming qualities in one of history's most reviled villains is a bold move, but in Turney's hands, it pays off -- Helena Gumley-Mason * The Lady * Gripping, emotional, and authentic. The best Roman novel I've read in a long time. Simon Turney is one of the best historical novelists out there. -- Christian Cameron, author of KILLER OF MEN In Caligula Simon Turney uses fiction to challenge some of [the] lies that masquerade under the name of "history" . . . [His narrator, Livilla] provides an energetic and intelligent eyewitness view of the imperial court and of the gradual decline of Caligula's rule . . . A satisfyingly alternative look at Caligula, something perhaps done better in fiction than in academic history . . . Great and enjoyable -- Mary Beard * TLS *