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Spartacus

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Spartacus

By: Howard Fast
Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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Summary

Spartacus, a fictionalization of a slave revolt in ancient Rome in 71 BC, is well known today because of the 1960 movie starring Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier. It was originally published in 1951 by Fast himself, after being turned down by every mainstream publisher of the day because of Fast's blacklisting for his Communist Party sympathies. The story of Spartacus, born a slave, trained as a gladiator, who led a slave revolt that was eventually put down by Crassus, was immensely popular and went on to sell millions of copies.

©1951 Howard Fast (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Historical Fiction Fiction Thought-Provoking Ancient History

Editor reviews

Stanley Kubrick might have given Spartacus it’s widespread fame, but the historical novel by Howard Fast from where it originated was perhaps even more moving, when you consider the circumstances that inspired it. Through the tension and censorship of the McCarthy Era, Fast developed this passionate story of freedom and hope in the face of oppression and slavery. Accomplished actor, Julian Elfer, gives a strong and energetic performance, bringing to life all the anguish and action of Spartacus, Crassus, and their loyal legions. Though focusing on a society that has long since disappeared, Fast’s Spartacus highlights the important and timeless lesson of keeping political systems in check.
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Wonderful story, beautifully written, superbly told. In fact, on the strength of Julian Elfer's narration after only half an hour, I set about acquiring 6 other books of interest that he was narrator for; well done that man. If there was a class above first class then he would be it.
But be warned; don't be taken in by the anti imperialist nature of the work. Oppressors, just as bad and worse, exist on the other side also.
A well kept garden is one in which all plants are not free to grow. Suppressing the weeds is like suppressing human nature.
Mick the Hick.

Superb!

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One of the best stories I’ve heard on Audio. The story and narration are superb.

Brilliant

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I was expecting blood & guts & battles; there was almost none of this. Large parts are about Roman nobles, soldiers and leaders (and to a lesser extent their slaves). It’s more than two hours in before Spartacus even gets a significant mention.
The lives of slaves, including gladiators, forms a large part but there are no big battle scenes.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book but some may prefer an abridged version if one exists.

Not what I expected

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Having seen the iconic movie, most of us will know its story, though it is told in a different sequence and from various character’s perspectives in the book. The slave revolt is already over and we are examining the reflections of the protagonists after the fact. It is compelling, regardless, largely due to the eloquence of its deceptively simple prose and the fascinating insights we get into the minds of the characters involved.

The poignancy of the novel is all the more loaded when one learns that Howard Fast began writing it whilst serving time at the hands of Joseph McCarthy’s Communist witch hunters, despite having already broken with the Communist Party, for refusing to name names.

Exploring the condition of slavery as a state of mind as much as one of physical bondage, the achievement of the writer is to put the reader firmly into the mindset of the slave. How do people keep going when all hope is lost? How can the human spirit transcend the most dehumanising hardships, whilst retaining their sense of identity? How does a slave find meaning and purpose in survival, let alone the will to draw their next breath?

It is impossible not to see ourselves in the sandals of Spartacus whilst we are interrogated by these and other questions. We are compelled to empathise by the skill of the writing. And, by examining the definition of slavery, we are forced to address uncomfortable questions about what it is that makes slaves out of those who otherwise think of themselves as free.

It is easy to see why the novel was a best seller despite the best (worst) efforts of the FBI and the direct interventions of the now infamous J Edgar Hoover, regardless of one’s personal politics.

Narrated ably enough, if slightly flatly, some listeners may have to forgive the occasional mispronunciation, which is only irksome upon repetition. But the story, world building, compelling characters and the truly great writing far outweigh any small shortcomings in the narration.

A little of Spartacus is in all of us in some way or another, so the book argues at least. And the condition of slavery is not necessarily simply one of violence and brutality, but one that can creep into our lives under the guise of tradition, politics, history and inherited circumstances. By better understanding the definition of slavery, we are forced into uncomfortable reflections about how easily we can all become slaves ourselves. And that is what I thought was the master stroke of this book. Without ever preaching, or even being as didactic as a George Orwell novel, the author makes his point through sheer rollicking story telling. One for the ages.

Spartacus. We are all Spartacus!

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I first read this 40 years ago. I am glad to have returned as an adult. This is a great telling.

Simply amazing literature

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