Rated of 5
by Joan Pascuzzo Stealing Athena
Every five years or so there is renewed interest in returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece. This book has two threads. It tells of Lord Elgin's obsession with procuring the Marbles for England, and simultaneously the building of the Parthenon in Ancient Greece.
I found the story interesting and informative. The reader gets a good idea of life in the Napoleonic era with the friction between England and France. It also gives a taste of every day life in Ancient Greece. Lord Elgin's wife, Mary, and Aspasia, Pericles's mistress, faced the same hurdles that women with no legal rights faced in the not too distant past. Historical Fiction fans will love this book.
Rated of 5
by Amy Great Look at Women's Lives
I thought this book was a fascinating look at the lives of two women and how their lives intersected. It took a little bit to get into the respective stories, but my lack of firsthand historical knowledge did not impede my enjoyment of the book. Recommended!
Rated of 5
by jeana Stealing Athena
I had been eager to learn more about those famous "Elgin" marbles; however, I found the tone of the book inconsistent and its writing style rather a distraction, beginning on page 7 when Lord Elgin tells the expectant Lady E. to go below decks at the threat of a naval battle, and she responds, "Not a chance, Your Lordship" -- in 1799! Just a few pages later, the author tells us that the lady's pregnancy causes her to feel so sleepy that she nearly nods off during a 19-round cannon salute!
Nevertheless, Lady Elgin was truly remarkable, and her story should be more widely known. The author's device of relating her history in tandem with that of Aspasia, the consort of Pericles, was a good one. There are many parallels, including the countless gifts and virtues each woman is credited with.
Upon finishing this book, I followed the author's suggestion to read more abut Lady E, in the recent biography by Susan Nagel.
Rated of 5
by Irene Stealing Athena
A fascinating historical novel.
Although millenniums apart, two smart, self-willed women battle the laws and customs made by men.
I liked this well-written novel because of the history, the determination of the two women and the focus on the marble carvings of Athens.
Rated of 5
by Susan Great material handled badly
I usually like historical fiction, and am interested in both Classical and British history, so I thought I would enjoy this book, but I *really* didn't. I found it poorly written, with both plot and prose *way* over the top at times. The occasional bodice-ripper tone was annoying, and the many historically inaccurate details were distracting. It’s unfortunate that such great material was dealt with so poorly.
Rated of 5
by Deanna A Bit of a Disappointment
I have always been fascinated by the "story" of the Elgin Marbles and how they came to the British Museum. However, the parallel stories of Aspasia {written in 1st person} and Mary Nisbet, Lady Elgin {written in 3rd person} did not engage my interest enough for me to truly enjoy this book. I learned a great deal about Napoleonic times, small pox vaccine and ancient Greece but it was a difficult task.
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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British Parliament asks Amazon to clarify why it pays $9 million in income tax on $23 billion of UK sales.(May 20 2013) Amazon will be called back to give further evidence to members of the British Parliament "to clarify how its activities in the U.K. justify its low corporate...
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