Poseidon's Gold (Dramatised)

Rome brought to life

Once again we have another brilliant dramatisation of a Falco novel by the BBC. A Who-dun-it with a twist, Ancient Romans talking in modern day language allows for a light witty underlay to the story. I paticularly like the interplay between the characters which helps add to the involvement of the listener. The only criticism I had with the audio is the theme music which can be piercing at times.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Leaves us wanting more...

This is the 5th instalment of the excellent dramatisation of Lindsey Davis' much loved Falco series. And much to my distress, the last! Rest assured the others seem to be available as narrated audiobooks but once you've fallen in love with a cast's dramatisation then it's not the same (even if it is truer to the original book).



"Poseidon's Gold" was very enjoyable, with a well-written plot which gives further insight into Falco's family, especially his deceased and, perhaps incorrectly, revered brother, and also his estranged father. It feels more of a return to form after the "Iron Hand of Mars", which I felt lacked interest and seemed quite contrived when compared to the other offerings of the series.



While I will miss Lesser and Madeley, I will probably continue the series in the old fashioned way, by reading the books. I need to know what happens to these improbable yet lovable characters.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Didius Falco

We've listened as a family to the first 5 books in the Falco series, all of them available from BBC audio dramatisations. The characterisation, particularly by Antonio Lesser and Anna Madeley is excellent and the books are an enjoyable listen. I would make sure that you listen to them in order as there would be 'spoilers' for the earlier books if you don't. They were so good, we listened to the first, then downloaded the next four and listened to them all in a week whilst on holiday. I'd thoroughly recommend them and so would my teenage children.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mostly good adaptation

It gets off to a shaky start, when Falco greets us in Italian rather than Latin! (It should be “Salvete, omnes” not “Salve tutti”! I must be getting really ancient if no one at the BBC has studied even a term of Latin. 🤷🏻‍♀️
It’s well acted though, and although I generally prefer to listen to the original unabridged book, the reader chosen for this one (and some others) hasn’t been able to “be Falco” - Anton Lesser in the BBC adaptations and Christian Rodska in some of the Audiobooks do sound like convincing Aventine plebeians! So I recommend this version. It was hearing Falco on the radio that first drew me into Falco’s world, full of humour and history, peopled by characters both historical and invented, including his vast extended family.
The novels take the listener round the Roman Empire during the reigns of the Flavians- Vespasian with Falco and Domitian with Albia - and into diverse aspects of life in the first century. Generally the author’s research has been accurate and she can’t be blamed for the lapse into Italian!

Poseidon's Gold (BBC dramatisation with Anton Lesser and Anna Madeley). Beg, borrow (but don't steal) this excellent story.

Beg, borrow (but don't steal) this excellent story.

Poseidon's Gold has been a very enjoyable listen. Sadly it's the last in the BBC full cast dramatisation starring Anton Lesser and Anna Madeley. I don't think that there'll be another production that will equal this series.

awesome

this is a great book well dramatised. Enjoy😁👑 it is hugely enjoyable and well paced. I repeatedly listened and it is still enjoyable.

best falco so far!

If you could sum up Poseidon's Gold in three words, what would they be?

interesting, compelling and enjoyable

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love falco. I like his wisdom, melancholy and ability to know human nature.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The way its read makes falco feel likable. Hearing the voices just makes it come alive. I much prefer listening to Falco than reading about him at moment. This is my favourite so far.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I enjoyed it especially the bonding with his dad to become the "didius" boys.

Any additional comments?

A book by a brilliant author, well read/acted and well worth every penny spent on it.
Thank you Anton Lesser et al...