While I am "trying out" (that would be . . . trying to choose just one to read) Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine novels to whittle the choices down to just one read, let me tell you a little something about Flavia Albia. I picked up the first of the Flavia Albia mysteries to read over the weekend. Hmm. Looking at my sidebar I would seem that all my current mystery reading is of the "historical" sort, but this one goes back much further in time. I have never read anything earlier than a 17th century setting, and then probably not too many of those either.
A week or so ago I was at the bookstore and saw the newest Flavia mystery on the new books shelf and it caught my attention. Given the choice I almost always start with the first book, so I brought home The Ides of April. Although this is the first of the series, this is actually a spin-off of another long running series of books by Lindsey Davis. I bet they are good, but Flavia appeals just a tad bit more than her father (technically stepfather?), Marcus Didius Falco (or known just as Falco).
So, this is all completely new to me. New author, new series, new characters and most importantly new period of time. One in which I know practically nothing. Should I admit that you could tell me anything and I would probably believe you (as long as it wasn't too much of a stretch). But you have to start somewhere. This is what I have gleaned so far from what little I have read:
Flavia was adopted.
She is a widow.
She is twenty-eight.
She lives in Rome, on the Aventine Hill.
It is AD 89.
Imperial Rome during the reign of Domitian.
She is what is known as a private informer (like a private investigator?).
She has a sharp tongue and a good head on her shoulders.
Since she is a woman she gets the bottom of the barrel in terms of choice cases to investigate.
Oh, she was not born in Rome, but a thousand miles away "in a backwoods town that had been laid waste in a revolt and still lacked interesting architecture).
I think she must mean Britain.
This is going to be an interesting read for a variety of reasons. I suspect I am going to learn all sorts of little tidbits about Roman Society ca. 89 AD, particularly about Roman women. It already promises to be entertaining, not least because Flavia is likable and spunky. I find it interesting, too, because of the language used in telling the story. I am not sure what I was expecting--but this has a more modern flare to it. It was a little jarring first, but I think it is going to work out okay. I don't mind a little poetic license or even some suspension of disbelief. Here's a little teaser to give you a taste:
"I was at a loose end myself now, but a presentable woman of twenty-eight may not take herself to bars alone, apart from the speedy-breakfast kind where you can have a pastry and a hot drink before most members of the public are up. Even then, you have to look as if you keep a salad stall; riding in on donkey at dawn from a market garden way out on the Campagna gives a woman a legitimate cause for sustenance. Otherwise, it is obvious to everyone you must be touting for paid sex. The men with randy propositions are bad enough; the furious grannies hurling curses at you soon become unbearable. Roman grannies really know how to hustle a flighty bit off their street by giving her the evil eye. The worst of them do it to everyone, just in case they miss one."
I actually love her irreverent voice, even if I wonder about the telling of a story set in Ancient Rome and what it should sound like. Does anyone read Falco/Flavia? I'm curious what other reader's thoughts are on the books and reading about this era. I might even go back and read the first Falco book later. In any case, I think this is going to be great fun, and Davis is surely on to something going by the many awards she has won for her books!
I read the first couple of Falco books when they first came out. I remember enjoying them, but somehow I stopped reading the series (probably because there are so many books that catch my eye!). I haven't read any books "starring" Flavia, so I think I may have a treat in store. Oh, Danielle, stop tempting me!
Posted by: Kathy | May 13, 2015 at 09:04 AM
I think I might like Flavia too :)
Posted by: cath | May 13, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Falco was dramatised on BBC Radio 4, and was quite enjoyable, but I've never got round to reading any of the books. You make it sound as if I might like Flavia better!
Posted by: Christine Harding | May 13, 2015 at 01:39 PM
I read the first Falco book years ago with my mystery book group. I'm pretty sure I liked it but for some reason just didn't keep up with the series. You'll have to tell us how this turns out. So far it sounds like it could be fun!
Posted by: iliana | May 13, 2015 at 07:24 PM
There are a lot of mysteries out there that I want to read. I always think I am going to move quickly on to the next in a series to keep up the momentum but then usually get drawn into something else right away. I like the sound of Falco, but reading about a woman is always more appealing to me. Sorry for the temptations--I am in the midst of so many good mysteries and then have so many more on the pile waiting that look equally good. Very dangerous, I know!
Posted by: Danielle | May 13, 2015 at 09:48 PM
It's a little weird to read about this 'Ancient' character but the language is fairly modern--somehow it doesn't detract from the story, though. And I like Flavia very much.
Posted by: Danielle | May 13, 2015 at 09:49 PM
How interesting--I wonder if I can find an archived copy of it anywhere--just to get a taste. I think I might at some point try one of the Falco mysteries, but I almost always tend to reach for books with female protagonists given the chance! Since Falco is her father, maybe it is a matter of the best of both worlds, since she does talk about him.
Posted by: Danielle | May 13, 2015 at 09:50 PM
It's really hard to keep up, isn't it? Either you just go for a sampling of a lot and read for the 'story' or you stick with a very few to follow. I suppose I do a little of both. I am glad I decided to start with Flavia--since I know so little about the era it would all be new to me, but I do like the female perspective of life in that period.
Posted by: Danielle | May 13, 2015 at 09:52 PM
New book, new author and an interesting setting! Have fun!
Posted by: Stefanie | May 14, 2015 at 10:28 AM
It's such a quirky book--a very irreverent heroine, which is always fun, but sort of weird to hear such modern 'voices'. I like it, though. Have to stretch imagination a bit, but that's okay.
Posted by: Danielle | May 15, 2015 at 11:23 PM
I'm curious to hear how you'll like it. I haven't read any books in this series. It's certainly not your every day setting, which is great.
Posted by: Caroline | May 16, 2015 at 08:21 AM
It is very much not what I would normally read. It is a little jarring (but not necessarily in a bad way) to see some of the more modern feeling language, but the facts are there--just the way it is told. I think it would maybe be a mistake to try and write dialogue and such in the sort of way it would have been spoken. I do like the character--she's great!
Posted by: Danielle | May 19, 2015 at 03:42 PM