Neæra: A Tale of Ancient RomeGraham, John W. (John William), active 1886-1887
History
Neæra: A Tale of Ancient Rome
Graham, John W. (John William), active 1886-1887
Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D. -- Fiction
“An admirable novel.... ‘Neæra’ is a novel with a story, and as good a
story as it often falls to one’s lot to find in a new book. The interest
grows somewhat gradually at first, but increases constantly as the story
progresses, and is multiplied by the interweaving of new threads and the
occurrence of startling incidents up to the very last pages of the
concluding volume. It is plain that a careful study of the masterpieces of
classical literature, and of the places to which they refer, has
necessarily preceded the writing of ‘Neæra.’ One of the best scenes in the
book is the final appearance of all the characters before Tiberius, who is
to decide whether Neæra is or is not the long‐lost granddaughter of the
Senator, and whether the villain is guilty or not of the blackest
crimes.... The style is for the most part good. Mr. Graham writes in a
careful and leisurely way, choosing good sound phrases, and occasionally
introduces passages which are really eloquent and beautiful.”
The St. James’s Gazette says:—
“Mr. Graham has a keen eye for what is called on the stage a striking
situation, and his situations follow each other so thick and fast that his
story never flags. From the suicide of Apicius to the tremendous fight in
the dining‐room under the eyes of Tiberius himself all is movement. And
this movement is never hurried or huddled, nor are the means by which Mr.
Graham extricates his characters from the difficulties into which he
brings them ever far‐fetched or improbable. He is a born story‐teller, and
‘Neæra’ is in consequence an admirable story.”
MACMILLAN’S COLONIAL LIBRARY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account