The Ides of March

by Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Reviewed by Coral

Rome can finally put the long years of civil war behind them. Julius Caesar is the victor, though not everyone is happy about it, not only because of the Roman blood his army spilled but because some fear he plans to name himself a king.

As Caesar prepares for a military expedition to Parthia, forces are conspiring against him. Can Caesar’s loyal friends stop the plot before it’s too late?

Well, if you know history, you know the answer to that question, which is one of the main problems of the book. Because we know what happens to Caesar already, following the story of some of his loyal soldiers and friends as they try to stop the assassination plot falls flat. There is no urgency to their story, no worry if they will make it in time, because we know how the story ends. They fail, the only question is when and how and I wasn’t really interested in finding out.

Plus, given that some of Caesar’s friends had hints of the plot, it only made Caesar look stupid for not taking any of it seriously.

I would have liked to see more Marc Antony and Cleopatra in the story. And, considering he becomes the first Emperor, the complete lack of Octavian was a little strange.

In the end, I was completely bored by the book. I have given this author more than enough chances and, even though he has more books that sound interesting, I think I will stop getting sucked into his books which just never seem to deliver.

Grade: C