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1 Tuesday, January 26, 2021 1 3 1
1 Hi Andre,

Have been enjoying your story "The Last Caesar". Just having finished the first, of a three volume set, on the history of Byzantium. Augustus Romulus was thus well known to me, also from other readings. Have just finished chapter 9, which neatly conforms to my beliefs, even after lo these many years.

It recalled a words of a poet, which thought you might like: : For I am divided for love's sake, for the chance of union. 30. This is the creation of the world, that the pain of division is as nothing, and the joy of dissolution all.

Regards,

Michael

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1 Monday, May 20, 2019 1 2 1
1 Andrej,

"The Last Caesar"" is a nice little tale and an interesting insight into roman and Italian history. As with your other story King of Sitges, it was a well crafted story. Personally, i much preferred King of Sitges, but i did not dislike this story.

t.s.

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1 Thursday, May 9, 2019 1 1 1
1 This story, "The Last Caesar" grows on you, like a fine wine. The chapter 4 was very poetic when Helvius stole into the villa at night. You used some wonderful descriptions, I particularly liked this passage:

It was hot, so he took off all his fine clothes, and looked out the window overlooking the back garden, staring at the sky starburst in which the «septem triones», the seven oxen, continued tirelessly to plough the fields of the sky.

And the dialogue between the two was superbly done, great chapter.

What I like about this story is the way in which it unfolds and the gift or excellent planning you have which lets you drop into the story little incidents which become important later. As an example, Helvius meets Romulus on the beach, falls in love and brings him little gifts. Later Helvius is stealing from the villa, when he discovers Romulus is not a slave. Romulus, in love with his Helvius, tells him he can take everything in his sack, and he reminds him of the gifts he gave to him. It is those little touches that I appreciate very much.

The historical aspect is well researched and gives the background to what is happening around our two lovers. If I have any criticism, it is that the two parts, historical account and love story, are almost seperate. Of course Romulus is part of the history, but as yet (I haven't read the last two chapters) is not intimately engaged.

So, I would say these two seperate aspects to some extent suffer from being the history without the intimate political intrigue, and the love story without more detail. It would have been more appealing if I were reading all the politics and murdering and quest for power. On the other hand I would have enjoyed more detail of the life in Helvius' house of boys, the rich clients, their interactions, the robberies.

Now having said this, I don't mean I don't like it, I do. If you included everything I have in mind the story would be four times longer or more. It's a nice love, romance, well plotted, well written. I appreciate your knowledge and obvious love of Roman history, which comes across. So in summary "The Last Caesar" is a combination of history lesson and touchingly romantic love story.

Tal

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