Usually, I am wary of novels set in a 'historical' context, because the association makes me expect a tedious and slow read. Not sure why that is the immediate connection I make, especially considering that on the rare occasions I did pick up a 'historical novel', I ended up greatly enjoying it - good examples would be The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco and Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz (a Nobel Prize winner for literature, no less).Of course, Pompeii proved me wrong, as well. It turned out to be a quick and engaging read.
The story mainly follows a young Aquarius in charge of the aqueduct. His main task is to find a damaged part and repair it asap - because 'water is money'. Other characters we meet are elderly, overweight Pliny, a freed slave that pretty much runs Pompeii behind the scenes with money (what else?) and his young daughter who turns out to be a little rebellious.
The fortune of the young Aquarius is gripping and he is made out to be a sympathetic character who is not only very much interested in just what exactly is going on with Mount Vesuvius, but he also has a - albeit small - heroic streak.
Side note: Robert Harris is the brother-in-law of Nick Hornby.
8/10
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