A.D. 62: Pompeii

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Overview

A twenty-first century woman is stranded in first century Pompeii when a time travel experiment goes awry; she is sold to a wealthy family as a house slave. This provides her with an intimate, upstairs/downstairs perspective on household life in ancient times. At first she does menial work, but she improves her situation by telling stories and making prophecies. As her influence grows, she wins the love of her...
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More About This Book

Overview

A twenty-first century woman is stranded in first century Pompeii when a time travel experiment goes awry; she is sold to a wealthy family as a house slave. This provides her with an intimate, upstairs/downstairs perspective on household life in ancient times. At first she does menial work, but she improves her situation by telling stories and making prophecies. As her influence grows, she wins the love of her master and his daughter and provokes the vengeful jealousy of his wife.

In this gentle fable about the power of stories to change people's lives, the heroine uses sources that include fairy tales and great works of literature to argue for women’s rights and the humanity of slaves, and to inspire herself and others to be resourceful, courageous and independent. Miranda's own life becomes as mythic as the stories she tells. In a narrative that is part adventure, part romance, and part fantasy, the heroine triumphs over adversity and makes a place for herself in the world of the past.

Visit the companion web site at www.rebecca-east.com to see ancient works of art that inspired the descriptions of characters and settings.

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Editorial Reviews

KLIATT
Miranda, a 21st-century scholar of classical languages and archaeology, agrees to be part of an experiment in time travel, lands in Pompeii in the year 62 and cannot return to her own time. Sold as a slave, she advances her position from menial labor by storytelling and prophesy. She and her master fall in love and after much mistreatment and jealous scheming by her mistress, who is eventually eliminated, they end up man and wife. The concept for this story is charming and the knowledge of the author is impressive, but one gets the impression she couldn't decide between a novel and a history book. There is way too much narrative and description, some of it repetitious, and way too little action. This novel will appeal only to very patient historical novel readers. KLIATT Codes: SA--Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, iUniverse, 292p., Ages 15 to adult.
—Ann Hart
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780595268825
  • Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 2/7/2003
  • Pages: 292
  • Sales rank: 823,569
  • Product dimensions: 6.24 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.77 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 15 )
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Sort by: Showing 1 – 16 of 15 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 25, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    Reviewed by Natalie Tsang for TeensReadToo.com

    Imagine getting stranded in Ancient Rome! That's what happens to Miranda in Rebecca East's A. D. 62: POMPEII. Miranda has never felt that she belonged in the 21st century, and when a group of researchers approach her about a short trip to the past, she agrees. <BR/><BR/>Of course, things don't go as planned. First, she is sold to a wealthy family as a house slave and then her time travel device malfunctions. At first, she is resigned to a life of menial labor, but gradually tries to improve her position by telling stories and using her historical knowledge to make prophecies. Miranda cleverly changes well-known stories such as fairy tales and Shakespeare to not only inspire herself but also to champion women's and slaves' rights. As Miranda proves her value, she gains the love and trust of her master and his daughter and provokes the vicious jealousy of his wife. <BR/><BR/>In this hybrid romance, history, and fantasy novel, the heroine overcomes several trials and finally finds herself a place in the world. <BR/><BR/>The highlight of this book is its richly historical background. Rebecca East gives wonderful descriptions of the architecture, food, and customs of ancient Pompeii. With the exception of Miranda, the characters never seem to be modern people forced into togas, but people who live in a different culture from our own.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 1, 2007

    Quite an interesting journey to Pompeii...

    I am really torn between rating this book as Outstanding or Recommended. I would rate it definitely 'Inbetween.' I was expecting a style closer to Jack Finney's charming 'Time and Again' time travel classic, or Richard Mathieson's Bid Time Return 'C. Reeve's Somewhere in Time' and even Richard Harris' Fatherland. Have only read an excerpt of his Pompeii and he is very good. However, I am a bit upset over the criticism of this book 'cause she does put you right there in Pompeii, one can almost see it. Found plenty of action when, e.g., Miranda running thru Pompeii's streets at night and what could have happened to her, her desire to be Free, her hiding those MS 'it has been a few mos. since I've read it and my memory is a bit hazy'. She writes of Julia Felix who WAS a wealthy woman which was so rare back then. Also, her Master is related to Cicero 'who has been gone for a long time'. She mentions how, of all the captured slaves, the Germanics were brutalized more than all others. She gives you the smells, the very feel of the doomed town. I did not know Pompeii had that terrible earthquake and many buildings were never repaired. Her journey and what nearly happpened to her at that beautiful spot -- Baeie -- forgive spelling -- is fascinating. I knew nothing about this famous 'resort' for the rich. It's scary to think that 3 out of 5 human beings were slaves in those darker days and what they must have endured -- particularly those in more concentration camp conditions. Thanks to B&N, I purchased a book, Cambridge Latin Course, Ed Phinney,in order to 'try' and learn Latin. Found it accidently and LOVE it. It's about a family who lived in Pompeii and it's really fascinating and gives a strong picture of the town. One can even visit the Villa of Caecilius, the family head -- if one can afford it!! East's description of the foods then are quite interesting. Yes, women did wear lots of makeup and wigs from 'stolen' hair if necessary. I, personally, would love to see this tale as a TV movie!!! Would be quite good and entertaining. I think there's plenty of action, suspense, what will her fate be, and I loved the descriptions very much. I've studied Art my entire adult life and just adore 'seeing' what I am reading. And I can't wait to see the Roman & Greek Exhibit here in NYC!!! A fascinating era despite its darkness... But your scholars here know so much more than I can ever know. They're so lucky.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 28, 2005

    A Riveting Read

    Miranda, a scholar, is sent back in time to explore classical Rome. She ends up in the sea off the shore of Pompeii. Her rescuers rob her, then sell her as a slave worse, the implant that will send her back to her own time malfunctions. She's stuck as a bottom-rung house slave in the home of a wealthy man, Marcus Tullius, his wife, and family. The story is about Miranda's rise in status as she learns her way around Roman and slave society, telling stories and playing her recorder, influencing the people around her. I was fascinated by Miranda's odyssey, getting in trouble for her love of solitude, learning her way through the relationships and rules that everyone around her takes for granted. I was so caught up that I tore through the book in a day--a thoroughly enjoyable read!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 18, 2003

    Well done!

    Miranda finds herself stranded in Pompei when her time travel experiment goes wrong and her homing beacon does not work. Suddenly, a woman from the twenty first century is stuck in the first century, and rather than being a respected scientist, she is now a slave. .............. Yet, Miranda is not a pessimist; she looks upon this as an opportunity to learn about the ancient world in a whole new light. Servants frequently know more about the real world than their masters, so this is a real learning experience. Using her knowledge of the future and folklore, she makes a place for hereself and even manages to find a new family, and love. .............. **** Fans of Diana Galbandon will find this a real treat. Miranda is a spunky, determined young lady. With well researched detail, Ms. East both educates and entertains. Hopefully, we can look for more in the near future from this talented lady.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 9, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    delightful historical novel

    The researchers have learned a lot about time travel including weight being a key factor. They decide to send someone two millennium into the past, but besides the smallness requirement, the person must have knowledge of the era. That is why Miranda is chosen to go back in time. <P>Miranda makes it to A.D. 62: POMPEII, but something went wrong and retrieval is not an option as the homing device fails. Thus she is stranded in the first century net of a fishermen who sell her as a house slave. Performing menial tasks bores Miranda so she begins telling tales and making predictions. Soon she comes to the attention of family member Marcus, who is fascinated with her. As they fall in love, she worries that she might return to her biological present at any time while he wonders if a strange slave can be the loving wife of a freeman? <P>A.D. 62: Pompeii is a delightful historical novel with a touch of romance used more to highlight the classes and a bit of science thrown in to propel a modern woman into an ancient society. The story line is loaded with a picturesque look at Pompeii about a decade and a half before the devastating volcanic eruption buried the city. So filled with the ambiance of the times, the plot moves at a deliberate moderate pace. Fans who seek action need to go elsewhere, but those readers interested at a vivid insightful gaze at the past will believe Rebecca East is Miranda having finally found her way back to the future. <P>Harriet Klausner

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 23, 2003

    Historical fiction that's fun to read!

    This novel has an interesting premise that is carried out on more than one level. On one level, it's a readable adventure story with elements of romance and fantasy, a sort of fairy tale for grown-ups. On another level, it includes references to classical literature and ancient history that people with background in these areas will recognize. While it provides an idealized, even romanticized description of ancient Rome (compared to the much grittier version presented in Tarr & Turtledove's "Household Gods", for example), I think it gives readers a better sense what life might have been like in Pompeii than they can get from Bulwer Lytton's (in)famous "Last Days of Pompeii".

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 26, 2012

    Great story

    Although repetitive in several places (almost to a looping effect) this is a wonderfully researched and well written tale allowing the reader a glimpse into the daily life of ancient times. The characters are easy to relate to and the descriptions are very specific, though at times it feels more like a museum catalog than a story. I will be interested to read more by this author.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 5, 2010

    wonderful time travel

    full bodied characters

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  • Posted April 19, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    it was ok

    it was an ok book and there was some boring parts

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 6, 2009

    Love in ancient times

    A love story with rich historical detail; an easy and enjoyable read.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 23, 2009

    Unrewarding read

    I found this book repetitive and poorly written. It was clear when I read the back cover why it felt more like sitting in a 10th grade classroom than in my favorite reading chair. Written by a university professor with a very simple writing style. Very disappointing.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 9, 2007

    Repitition takes away from total experience

    While I enjoyed the story line I felt the author repeated herself on certain facts. To be constantly told certain facts felt as if she was writing to people she felt could not retain information from page to page.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 10, 2011

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    Posted August 20, 2011

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 18, 2011

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    Posted January 17, 2010

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