'The Dream of Scipio' by Iain Pears is a historical novel that intertwines the stories of three men living in different eras in Provence, France. The book explores themes of love, faith, power, and moral dilemmas as the protagonists navigate through significant historical events such as the fall of the Roman Empire, the Black Plague, and the Nazi invasion of France. Pears' writing style is described as intellectual, elegant, and philosophical, with a deep emotional impact on the reader.

Characters:

Characters are often viewed as distant or one-dimensional, primarily focusing on their struggles with love, morality, and the crises surrounding them.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intellectual and erudite, often feeling detached and sterile, which may distance readers from the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves together three narratives from distinct historical periods, focusing on characters grappling with personal and societal crises.

Setting:

The setting encompasses critical periods in Provence, highlighting the collapse of civilization during the fall of the Roman Empire, the Black Death, and WWII.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and often interrupted by frequent jumps between narratives, demanding patience and engagement from readers.

JULIEN BARNEUVE died at 3:28 on the afternoon of August 18, 1943. It had taken him twenty-three minutes exactly to die, the time between the fire starting and his last breath being sucked into his sco...

Notes:

The novel spans three historical periods: the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Black Death in medieval France, and WWII during the Nazi occupation.

Three main characters: Manlius Hippomanes, a Roman aristocrat; Olivier de Noyen, a medieval poet; and Julien Barneuve, a scholar in the 20th century.

Each character faces personal crises amidst societal chaos.

Their stories are linked by a philosophical manuscript called The Dream of Scipio.

Manlius is struggling to maintain his Roman way of life in a time of barbarian upheaval.

Olivier grapples with the devastation of the Black Death and societal prejudice against Jews.

Julien navigates the moral dilemmas of living under a Nazi regime.

The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, loyalty, and the impact of religious persecution across different eras.

The character Sophia, Manlius's love, represents wisdom and philosophical inquiry, contrasting with the rise of Christianity.

The book examines how similar situations recur through history, prompting reflections on civilization's continuity and change.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include discussions of historical violence, religious persecution, and themes surrounding anti-Semitism which may be sensitive for some readers.

Has Romance?

The novel includes significant romantic elements, which are integral to the characters' motivations and experiences.

From The Publisher:

In national bestseller The Dream of Scipio, acclaimed author Iain Pears intertwines three intellectual mysteries, three love stories, and three of the darkest moments in human history. United by a classical text called "The Dream of Scipio," three men struggle to find refuge for their hearts and minds from the madness that surrounds them in the final days of the Roman Empire, in the grim years of the Black Death, and in the direst hours of World War II. An ALA Booklist Editors' Choice.

Iain Pears's An Instance of the Fingerpost and The Portrait are also available from Riverhead Books.

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About the Author:

Iain Pears is the author of the bestsellers An Instance of the Fingerpost, The Dream of Scipio, Stone's Fall, and Arcadia, and a novella, The Portrait, as well as a series of acclaimed detective novels, a book of art history, and countless articles on artistic, financial and…

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The Dream of Scipio

Iain Pears