Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

The October Horse

Book 6 in the series:Masters of Rome

Save:
Find on Amazon

The October Horse is the sixth book in the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough. The novel follows the events leading up to the death of Julius Caesar, his assassination, and the aftermath of the power struggle that ensues. The book delves into the tension surrounding Caesar's rule, the involvement of prominent figures like Cleopatra, and the chaotic political landscape in Ancient Rome during this period. The writing style in this installment is described as informative, entertaining, and meticulously researched, offering a blend of historical accuracy and engaging storytelling.

Characters:

The characters are nuanced, with Caesar's flaws highlighted, Octavian portrayed as ambitious, and side characters lacking depth in their narrative arcs.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is less complex compared to earlier works, utilizing simpler prose and stream of consciousness techniques that don't always succeed.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the years following Julius Caesar's assassination, highlighting the ensuing civil wars and the subsequent instability in Rome.

Setting:

The setting encompasses Ancient Rome and Egypt during a critical time of political upheaval and civil conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, becoming tedious after significant events, particularly following Caesar's death.
“The signs of my godhead, Gnaeus! The statue of Victory in that temple in Elis turning around, the clashing of swords and shields down in Antioch and Ptolemais, the drums booming from the temple of Ap...

Notes:

The October Horse is the sixth book in the Masters of Rome series.
The novel covers seven years of Roman history, including the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Caesar's death occurs midway through the book and is depicted as a significant loss.
McCullough portrays Julius Caesar as flawed yet ethical compared to other Roman leaders.
The book describes the aftermath of Caesar's assassination, leading to civil war in Rome.
One chapter amusingly titled 'Armies all over the place' reflects the chaos after Caesar's death.
The assassins expected to be hailed as heroes but faced public backlash instead.
The narrative includes Caesar's love affair with Cleopatra and the child they had together.
Egypt faced droughts, food shortages, and a plague during this period.
McCullough's characterization presents Roman leaders as brutal and narcissistic, contrasting with her depiction of Caesar.
The book has important political themes, including women's protests against taxation in Rome.
The author's writing style in this installment is noted to be a departure from previous books, utilizing more stream of consciousness techniques.
Some readers felt the book suffered from pacing issues and excessive focus on battles over character development.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The October Horse include depictions of violence, assassination, civil war, and themes of death and suffering.

Has Romance?

The book features a medium level of romance, particularly through the relationship between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.

From The Publisher:

With her renowned storytelling gifts in full force, Colleen McCullough delivers a breathtaking novel that proves once again that she is the top historical novelist of our time.

Grand in scope and vivid in detail, McCullough's gripping narrative thrusts readers headlong into the complex and fascinating world of Rome in the tumultuous last days of the Republic. At the height of his power, Gaius Julius Caesar becomes embroiled in a civil war in Egypt, where he finds himself enraptured by Cleopatra, the nation's golden-eyed queen. To do his duty as a Roman, however, he must forsake his love and return to the capital to rule.

Though Caesar's grip on power seems unshakable, the political landscape is treacherous-the returning hero has no obvious successor, and his legacy seems to be the prize for any man with the courage and cunning to fell Rome's laurelled leader. Caesar's jealous enemies masquerade as friends and scheme to oust the autocrat from power and restore true republican government to Rome. But as the plot races to its dramatic conclusion, it becomes clear that with the stakes this high, no alliance is sacred and no motives are pure.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (5):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (2)

1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
1 month

I read Antony and Cleopatra first, so in the wrong order. However I really loved Antony Cleopatra a lot and just flew through the book. But not with this one, I really struggled with reading this one and far from enjoyed it

 

About the Author:

Colleen McCullough, a native of Australia, established the department of neurophysiology at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney before working as a researcher at Yale Medical School for ten years. She is the bestselling author of numerous novels, including The Thorn Birds, and lives with her husband on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.