The ‘Bookworms’ group has been busy planning book choices for 2024 and, with each member choosing a month, we’re already organised up to July.
We started the new year with a Robert Harris novel, ‘Pompeii’, a fictional account of the two days leading up to Vesuvius’ eruption and the disastrous aftermath. The event is seen through the eyes of a young aqueduct engineer, Attilius, sent from Rome to Misenum in the Bay of Naples when the previous engineer mysteriously disappears. Although it is a work of fiction, the author has clearly researched the subject in great detail and has woven the factual elements into the story successfully. Descriptions of feats of engineering relating to the Roman aqueduct system are written in such a way that they can be understood by the layperson. The reader is transported to the beautiful towns set around Pompeii and Herculaneum where opulence and wealth are flaunted by the richest of the citizens, but where corruption and superstition are also rife. Despite ominous warnings that something is amiss, with wells and springs drying up and the mighty Aqua Augusta suddenly ceasing to flow, the inhabitants remain oblivious and it’s up to Attilius to investigate and remedy the situation. The gripping build-up to the eruption takes place from hour to hour and every chapter heading has an explanation of each stage of the process, taken from works on volcanology. Despite knowing the outcome, we all found this to be an enjoyable and educational novel, combining history, adventure and mystery, with a bit of romance thrown in, though some of the events may be a little far-fetched and contrived.
Louise Elsome,
‘Bookworms’ Group Coordinator