Colleen McCullough

[Gannon]

@Gannon/Maud
Wholehearted endorsement of Robert Harris & Fatherland - without doubt a masterpiece. The Ghost is also way better than the movie IMHO & personally I felt Pompeii lacked somewhat.
Gannon forced me to read Fatherland so I know how you are feeling right now ... he really knows how to work those thumbscrews!

What are we going to do about the title of this topic?

As soon as I have some Colleen McCullough info I will post it straight away, but in the mean time I just love posting anything with you gals (and anyone else who drops by).

Hey Fran, I had forgotten that I forced you to read Fatherland. I knew you would love it, you have great taste.

I also have "The Ghost" but have never gotten around to reading it. I completely agree with you about Pompeii. After reading "Fatherland" and "Enigma", "Pompeii" was a little flat. I am waiting for the last "Cicero" book which is coming out this year.

Maud make sure you read "Fatherland" as soon as you can and then we can all discuss it.

[Schnappi]

I admire her too! Very like! One of my most favorite author!

[Maud Fitch]

I admire her too! Very like! One of my most favorite author!

Yes, Colleen McCullough rocks, what are your favourite books?
The Masters of Rome series, the Delmonico series?
Or perhaps these novels--

Tim
The Thorn Birds
An Indecent Obsession
A Creed for the Third Millennium
The Ladies of Missalonghi
The Song of Troy
Morgan's Run
The Touch
Angel
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet

(PS: Gannon, I will try to read "Fatherland" as soon as I can so we can all discuss it on another thread)

[Gannon]

I admire her too! Very like! One of my most favorite author!

Yes, Colleen McCullough rocks, what are your favourite books?
The Masters of Rome series, the Delmonico series?
Or perhaps these novels--

Tim
The Thorn Birds
An Indecent Obsession
A Creed for the Third Millennium
The Ladies of Missalonghi
The Song of Troy
Morgan's Run
The Touch
Angel
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet

(PS: Gannon, I will try to read "Fatherland" as soon as I can so we can all discuss it on another thread)

You better, or I am sending round the hired goons.

[Maud Fitch]

Yikes judging by that new and rather ferocious-looking Roman soldier avatar, I think I'll download it right now!

Notice I said "download"? I've been using an Apple iPad Mini and whilst it drives differently to Microsoft, it's proving fun to use and I enjoy the novelty of reading e-books on the bus: such a pose, eh. Of course, I'm too scroogey to pay for them so I've been downloading from my public library to great effect.

Will re-read a few favourites. Got a couple of Colleen McCullough's loaded and ready!

[Fran]

@Maud
You surrendered rather quickly, I had expected you to hold out for longer.
Never mind & welcome to the 21 century

[Maud Fitch]

@Maud
You surrendered rather quickly, I had expected you to hold out for longer.
Never mind & welcome to the 21 century Thank you

LOL seriously that Roman soldier does look threatening.

<Psst, whisper> I didn't actually say how far down the TBR list this book resides, I may hurt Gannon's feelings!

[Gannon]

@Maud

(deep breathing(no, not like that ) like Darth Vader from Star Wars) Maud, you have gone over to the dark side, there is no turning back now that you have embraced the evil ereader. Do not listen to Fran, she was converted a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. (cue the trumpets) No, I am not drunk, just got back from my morning run and I am high on endorphins or whatever they are called.

Glad to see that you have already loaded some Colleen's. Which books are they?

ps Maudster he is a legionary not a soldier, he would be very offended if you called him a soldier.

[Maud Fitch]

(deep breathing(no, not like that ) like Darth Vader from Star Wars) Maud, you have gone over to the dark side, there is no turning back now that you have embraced the evil ereader. Do not listen to Fran, she was converted a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. (cue the trumpets) No, I am not drunk, just got back from my morning run and I am high on endorphins or whatever they are called.

ps Maudster he is a legionary not a soldier , he would be very offended if you called him a soldier.

Wow, running with you would be quite an experience!! Gannon, let me put your Star Wars fevered mind at ease, I'm just toying with my iPad and e-book downloads.

I would never, ever forsake p-books! How could I possibly compare the whole mental and physical experience of reading a real book to that of staring at a screen knowing when I've finished it the words will disappear into thin air. Of course, the speed with which one can snag an e-book from the library shelves (literally seconds) without leaving one's chair is astounding to a person like me who regularly visits our city's book haunts.

My humblest apologies to the Roman legionary, Gannon and Colleen. In my ignorance (and fear of that ferocious gaze) the first word which came into my mind was 'soldier' whereas I should have realised from his uniform (possibly ceremonial?) that he was of very high rank. Do you know his kill tally?

Hey hey hey, the weekend is coming up.....soon Easter break will be here too!!

[Gannon]

@Maudster

I'm so glad that you have not gone over to the dark side. With your love of libraries and book fairs I didn't think that you would be completely converted.

If you remember I have been reading Australian authors (apart from a break to read Ender's game, which is great). I have been slightly disappointed so far but seem to have hit a little gem.

"Bay of Fires" is Poppy Gee's debut novel and after reading half of it, so far I am impressed. A Murder/Mystery (which I know you are into at the moment) set on the east coast of Tasmania. I Will let you know what I think when I finish the second half.

I'm not sure about the legionary. No normal legionary would have been allowed to wear a purple cloak, and the armour he is wearing is Lorica Segmentata, which was not used until the late republic. He is not wearing any phalera, which were medal/discs that were awarded and worn on the chest. Also the armour on his right arm is not standard issue. My best guess is that he is supposed to be some sort of imperial legionary from the late second or early third century, maybe somebodies idea of a Praetorian. Although you would think that his helmet would have a normal or transverse crest. This is off the top of my head, I could be way off.

I hope you are ready for a great weekend and Easter.

[Maud Fitch]

gasp Gannon, you're priceless! Love your off-the-cuff analysis! I want to use it as my signature quote!
Why aren't you working in an Ancient Rome museum in Italy? Or a Hollywood set where they authenticate scenes?

What are the odds.....I've just finished reading two Aussie novels set in Tasmania, on the coast and rugged Bruny Island. Both are Romances, not my favourite genre at the moment, so yours sounds very enticing.

Oops, gotta go, it's Earth Hour at 8.30pm Australia EST and I have to amass zillions of candles for our balcony vigil.
It's traditional in our household that everything is switched off. It can be an eerie experience or quite therapeutic.

Hope you're chillin' this weekend.

[Carrie R]

Just started Geraldine Brooks' novel "People Of The Book" and it's intriguing so far.

I've just discovered this author myself. I really liked 'People of the Book' and also her nonfiction book 'Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women.' I've heard 'Caleb's Crossing' is very good as well.

[Carlotta Melzi]

My preferred Colleen McCullough's book is Tim.
I've read it two or three times, the last time maybe 10 years ago.
I lost my paperback copy in my last relocation and I wasn't thinking to it anymore.
Then I saw this thread and checked on Amazon: since March, Tim is finally available for Kindle!
Tonight I'll read it again.

[Maud Fitch]

My preferred Colleen McCullough's book is Tim.
I've read it two or three times, the last time maybe 10 years ago.
I lost my paperback copy in my last relocation and I wasn't thinking to it anymore.
Then I saw this thread and checked on Amazon: since March, Tim is finally available for Kindle!
Tonight I'll read it again.

Oh, Carlotta, that's so lovely. Hope it still holds that magic for you! What did you think of a young Mel Gibson
as Tim in the movie version?

[Carlotta Melzi]

I haven't seen the movie. And Mel Gibson's face isn't very similar at 'my' Tim.
And yes, the book it's still MAGIC! I think I'll finish it tonight.