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Feast of Sorrow
- A Novel of Ancient Rome
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
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Publisher's summary
Set amongst the scandal, wealth, and upstairs-downstairs politics of a Roman family, Crystal King's seminal debut features the man who inspired the world's oldest cookbook and the ambition that led to his destruction.
On a blistering day in the 26th year of Augustus Caesar's reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of 20,000 denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, wealthy beyond measure, obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary adviser to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome's leading epicure.
Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius' help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. Thrasius finds a family in Apicius' household, his daughter Apicata, his wife Aelia, and her handmaiden, Passia, whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome.
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USA Today hails Steven Saylor as a “modern master of historical fiction.” Rich in intrigue and period detail, his novels set in ancient Rome have garnered acclaim the world over. A prequel to his epic Roma Sub Rosa series, The Seven Wonders follows series star Gordianus the Finder as an 18-year-old traveling the Mediterranean to witness the wonders of that fabled age. At each stop, the young investigator finds a beguiling mystery that pushes his powers of deduction to the limit.
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Interesting History, Not much of a story
- By Mark on 08-10-12
By: Steven Saylor
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Sword and Verse
- By: Kathy MacMillan
- Narrated by: Emily Rankin
- Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Raisa was just a child when she was sold into slavery in the kingdom of Qilara. Before she was taken away, her father had been adamant that she learn to read and write. But where she now lives, literacy is a capital offense for all but the nobility. The written language is closely protected, and only the king, prince, tutor, and tutor-in-training are allowed to learn its very highest form.
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Hormonal Teenagers in the middle of a Slave Revolt
- By Natalie C on 01-21-16
By: Kathy MacMillan
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Women of the Bible
- Abigail's Story
- By: Ann Burton
- Narrated by: Rachel Botchan
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Ann Burton's critically acclaimed first novel in this compelling Biblical series tells the fictionalized tale of a young Jewish woman who makes pottery to support her family. But when her brother's huge gambling debt threatens to enslave them, she convinces his creditor to marry her and forgive the debt. After her husband sends her to manage his herds in the hills, Abigail grows fond of the rustic inhabitants - and of an enigmatic shepherd soldier who's on a collision course with her husband.
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Wordy
- By Cayce on 07-26-07
By: Ann Burton
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The Passion of Artemisia
- By: Susan Vreeland
- Narrated by: Gigi Bermingham
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Set against the glorious backdrops of Rome, Florence, and Genoa, and Naples, peopled with historical characters and filled with the details of the life of a 17th-century painter, The Passion of Artemisia is the story of Gentileschi's struggle to find love, forgiveness, and wholeness through her art.
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Disappointing
- By Kay on 05-21-03
By: Susan Vreeland
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Cleopatra's Moon
- By: Vicky A. Shecter
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Princess of Egypt.... Cleopatra Selene is the only daughter of the brilliant Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and General Marcus Antonius of Rome. She’s grown up with jewels on her arms, servants at her feet, and all the pleasures of a palace at her command, and she wants only to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a great and powerful queen. Prisoner of Rome.... Then the Roman ruler Octavianus, who has always wanted Egypt’s wealth, launches a war that destroys all Selene has ever known.
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Great Book
- By Linda on 08-07-11
By: Vicky A. Shecter
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Troubled Waters
- Elemental Blessings, Book 1
- By: Sharon Shinn
- Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king's fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river. It's there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime, ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right.
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Really pleasant
- By Katherine on 01-13-11
By: Sharon Shinn
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Archangel
- Samaria, Book 1
- By: Sharon Shinn
- Narrated by: Tamara Marston
- Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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A tale of the distant future by the author of The Shape-Changer's Wife brings listeners to a world in which the fate of all life rests on the voice of an angel.
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An All-TIme Favorite
- By Carol on 02-27-11
By: Sharon Shinn
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Luck in the Shadows
- Nightrunner, Book 1
- By: Lynn Flewelling
- Narrated by: Raymond Todd
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Spy, rogue, thief, and noble, Seregil of Rhiminee is many things, none of them predictable. And when he offers to take on Alec as his apprentice, things may never be the same for either of them. Soon Alec is traveling roads he never knew existed, toward a war he never suspected was brewing. Before long he and Seregil are embroiled in a sinister plot that runs deeper than either can imagine and that may cost them far more than their lives if they fail. But fortune is as unpredictable as Alec's new mentor.
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Fantastic Series! Homophobes, shut up!
- By Ted on 09-23-11
By: Lynn Flewelling
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The Architect's Apprentice
- By: Elif Shafak
- Narrated by: Piter Marek
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1540, 12-year-old Jahan arrives in Istanbul. As an animal tamer in the sultan's menagerie, he looks after the exceptionally smart elephant Chota and befriends (and falls for) the sultan's beautiful daughter Princess Mihrimah. A palace education leads Jahan to Mimar Sinan, the empire's chief architect, who takes Jahan under his wing as they construct (with Chota's help) some of the most magnificent buildings in history.
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I feel like I should like it more than I do
- By nyog on 04-19-17
By: Elif Shafak
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The Course of Honour
- By: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Diana Bishop
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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He has no money, no reputation and no famous ancestors.' The love story of the Emperor Vespasian, who brought peace to Rome after years of strife, and his mistress, the freed slave woman Caenis, this book recreates Ancient Rome's most turbulent period - the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero and Vespasian's rise to power. As their forbidden romance blossoms, Caenis is embroiled in political intrigue, while Vespasian embarks on a glorious career.
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Great love story
- By Julie on 05-04-20
By: Lindsey Davis
What listeners say about Feast of Sorrow
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- bestuvall
- 04-16-21
Fabulous
Simón Vance could read a laundry list and it would be enjoyable but this book was very very well done I love the recipes I love the narration and the story was fabulous if you like anything to do with Roman history read it or listen to it and enjoy Simón’s wonderful wonderful voice
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- Bonnie Buchanan
- 04-25-22
SHOULD NOT be MISSED by ANY History Lover/Foodie
Not what I was expecting, although I really didn’t have any expectations. I raised an eyebrow when I starting hearing recitations of ancient recipes, but eventually I found it really fascinating (Foodie in me).
I had not realized this was a Historical Fiction, as I had selected this novel based upon the posted write-up, which sounded like an interesting story. Of course, while listening I could recognize some of its accuracy, having a very basic and limited historical exposure to life in Roman society (History Lover *shrugs*) Regardless, of why I selected it, I’m throughly glad that it ended up in my Library and I made the decision to Read/Listen!
This novel turned out to be a vivid, interesting, and entertaining journey that I will not soon forget!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS READ/LISTEN!!
To the Author:
Thank You for such an enjoyable journey into the past. The characters were absolutely delightful, the events were amazing, horrifying, heart wrenching, and unimaginable, from slave lives in the pens, to lavish dining, You did a fabulous job of bringing it all to life, and crafting a tale that sucked me in without my ever realizing it. I became so invested that yes, I shed a tear (ok maybe more than one). Your mentioning of “silphium”, and my curiosity as a foodie/cook inspired me to do a little research into “ silphium”, and WOW! I’m tickled I did, what a wonderful mystery..(which is going to bug me forever not knowing the answer to it). And of course, I had to stop and look up, “ Apicius”, which I suppose is another sort of semi-mystery in itself.
I am now hooked, and will be buying Your previous book, while hoping You produce another. Thank you for sharing Your talent and crafting such a vivid and throughly enjoyable tale. Seriously, Netflix, Amazon or some other streaming service could (and absolutely SHOULD) make this into an amazing TV show!!
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- Thinking Mama
- 11-28-20
Really good Tale, one can see the characters in friends
Feel the plights as well as accepted social class status in these Roman Characters. Nobel Blood, Inherited money status, Earned Status, Freed slaves and slaves all have integral parts in this story quilted together around food preparation and the dining experience. I will think about this story when we have friends and family over for a prepared meal. I so enjoyed this tale with its roots in history.
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- Ruth Anne
- 04-07-22
Wonderful read
I was not sure what to expect and was very happy I listened. I love historical novels but this one was very special. Highly recommend
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- Kevin B.
- 04-15-22
good book, well performed, sorry it ended
I enjoyed every bit of this book. I recommend it. very well performed. Learned some historical facts as well.
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- T. Bates
- 06-29-17
Perfectly read by Vance, accurate history!
Simon Vance is even better reading this novel than the Ruso Roman Mysteries! This author was really good! I just wept at the end! I feel I visited the Roman Empire, belonged to this family. It is difficult to find books about Ancient history that are this good, and audible. This is not just about meals, it is about life, it's Up's and downs, it's treasures and loves. I am sad this experience is over. I wish there were more books this excellent! It was prose. I will remember it a long time. Thoroughly recommend! Included are some Roman recipes.
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11 people found this helpful
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- Knucklesmccarthy
- 07-20-17
Superb Storytelling
What made the experience of listening to Feast of Sorrow the most enjoyable?
This is a very compelling story situated in the richly painted world of ancient Rome. We are led through this world by a slave who is the right hand man to the world's first gourmand. His inner world is articulated as beautifully as the outer world of ancient kitchens and gardens.
What other book might you compare Feast of Sorrow to and why?
Maybe I Claudius by Robert Graves, but this book is distinguished by details that truly give characters three dimensionality. Also, there are recipes!!!
Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?
not sure.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The death of Appicater
Any additional comments?
Ideal material for an HBO series.
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3 people found this helpful
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- nikhil khanna
- 07-13-21
Great story! The descriptions are fantastic!
I read her first book and thought I was marvelous. Then Crystal King outdid herself in Feast of Sorrow.
Looking forward to many more books from this author!
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- Cameron Dryden
- 12-16-17
Bread & Circus
Wow. The book finished as I entered my driveway coming home from work. I just sat there for several minutes processing this amazing story. The epilogue told how many of the events in the story were recorded by historians, making it that much more poignant.
I started this audiobook just before Thanksgiving. I traditionally cook a secondary meat as an experiment. This year I decided to find an Ancient Roman duck recipe. I googled and found Apicius’s duck with turnips. It took me a minute to realize this was written by this book’s protagonist. Seven store trips later to find all the odd spices, I savored the culinary delights and had newfound appreciation for his love of food.
If you or someone you know loves cooking, is a foodie, studies history, or simply loves a tale well told, RUN, do not walk, to your nearest web browser and buy this.
However, be forewarned: you too could wind up unable to rouse yourself from your car when the bell tolls!
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6 people found this helpful
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- Daniel McLaughlin
- 12-31-20
So glad I found this title.
Rich characters. Amazing details. Superbly written and performed. Not my normal genre, but I would recommend this author to anyone interested in historical fiction and definitely anyone interested in cooking.
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