Comments on: Review: Spartacus: The Gladiator, Ben Kane

By: Ben Kane

Ben Kane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:35:09 +0000

Thanks for the in depth review, Meghan. I’m glad that you enjoyed it, even if it wasn’t all to your taste.

@Kailana, @zibilee, @Daphne, @roro, @JR Tomlin: I hope that once you get to it, you enjoy it!

@Danielle: I’d like to think that there is a deeper dimension to Spartacus, that it’s not just straightforward action, but some may disagree. I have tried hard to portray him as a man of his time, not a 21st century construct. That means no-frills, blood and guts leadership. Of course no one really knows what he was like, but I like my version! Best wishes.

@Jessicabookworm: From what I’ve seen (2 episodes) Blood and Sand is pretty OTT and certainly it plays fast and loose with historical fact. But the level of violence (both physical and sexual) and gore is not exaggerated in my opinion. See the article by a professor of Roman history at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7750013/Spartacus-swords-sandals-andillicit-sex.html

By: Jessicabookworm

Jessicabookworm — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:45:19 +0000

Haven’t actually read any books based in the Roman empire, and certainly nothing about Spartacus. I have however watched a TV series called Spartacus: Blood and Sand which was very good, don’t know if you’ve heard of it? Again though it isn’t for the faint hearted as there is violence, gore, and rape in it.

By: JR Tomlin

JR Tomlin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:35:09 +0000

War IS a gory business and any novel about it that pretends otherwise does no one any favors. I’m always interested in a novel that takes a skeptical look at the much-idealized Romans and had been thinking of reading this. I’ll add this to my TBR list.

By: roro @roro is reading[rogier]

roro @roro is reading[rogier] — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:08:25 +0000

This sounds interesting. I will add it to the wish list.

By: Daphne

Daphne — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:46:23 +0000

I’ve pre-ordered this one for my husband. I haven’t read his books before but I think hubby will really like it.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:29:28 +0000

I read one book from Kane, and enjoyed it a lot! I have the second in my pile as well, and need to get to it soon. He writes with amazing detail and has a real eye for characters, though there were a lot of battle scenes. It sounds like I would enjoy this book as well, and so I am going to have to look for it. Great review today!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:46:07 +0000

I had considered reading Kane’s novel because Spartacus’s rebellion has interested me since I watched the Kirk Douglas-Jean Simmons epic as a creative aid for Latin lessons at school, but your review gives me pause (fortunately). Kane’s novel sounds like straightforward, gory action with not much deeper dimension and I realise I may not have a strong enough stomach for his style. Will need to take a closer look before I decide.

By: Kailana

Kailana — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:02:54 +0000

This sounds interesting. I will add it to the wish list.