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Aquiliad #1
The Aquiliad
In another dimension where Rome never fell, General Titus and Aquila, a captured Indian, journey to the new world, where they discover flying saucers, time travelers, and Aztec gold
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
S.P. Somtow
158 books141 followersCalled by the Bangkok Post "the Thai person known by name to most people in the world," S.P. Somtow is an author, composer, filmmaker, and international media personality whose dazzling talents and acerbic wit have entertained and enlightened fans the world over.
He was Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul in Bangkok. His grandfather's sister was a Queen of Siam, his father is a well known international lawyer and vice-president of the International Academy of Human Rights. Somtow was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and his first career was in music. In the 1970s (while he was still in college) his works were being performed on four continents and he was named representative of Thailand to the Asian Composer's League and to the International Music Commission of UNESCO. His avant-garde compositions caused controversy and scandal in his native country, and a severe case of musical burnout in the late 1970s precipitated his entry into a second career - that of author.
He began writing science fiction, but soon started to invade other fields of writing, with some 40 books out now, including the clasic horror novel Vampire Junction, which defined the "rock and roll vampire" concept for the 80s, the Riverrun Trilogy ("the finest new series of the 90's" - Locus) and the semi-autobiographical memoir Jasmine Nights. He has won or been nominated for dozens of major awards including the Bram Stoker Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the Hugo Award, and the World Fantasy Award.
Somtow has also made some incursions into filmmaking, directing the cult classic The Laughing Dead and the award winning art film Ill Met by Moonlight.
He was Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul in Bangkok. His grandfather's sister was a Queen of Siam, his father is a well known international lawyer and vice-president of the International Academy of Human Rights. Somtow was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and his first career was in music. In the 1970s (while he was still in college) his works were being performed on four continents and he was named representative of Thailand to the Asian Composer's League and to the International Music Commission of UNESCO. His avant-garde compositions caused controversy and scandal in his native country, and a severe case of musical burnout in the late 1970s precipitated his entry into a second career - that of author.
He began writing science fiction, but soon started to invade other fields of writing, with some 40 books out now, including the clasic horror novel Vampire Junction, which defined the "rock and roll vampire" concept for the 80s, the Riverrun Trilogy ("the finest new series of the 90's" - Locus) and the semi-autobiographical memoir Jasmine Nights. He has won or been nominated for dozens of major awards including the Bram Stoker Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the Hugo Award, and the World Fantasy Award.
Somtow has also made some incursions into filmmaking, directing the cult classic The Laughing Dead and the award winning art film Ill Met by Moonlight.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 10, 2021
I don’t write reviews.
This book was such a romp! Yes, as the cover shows, there are Sasquatch. There are also dinosaurs and inter-dimensional creatures of the time patrol on the hunt for a time criminal. Such fun!
If you enjoy Rome, flying saucers and tall tales, you’ll enjoy this one. Plus it’s very cute that the Romans sound like Wooster, what, old chap.
This book was such a romp! Yes, as the cover shows, there are Sasquatch. There are also dinosaurs and inter-dimensional creatures of the time patrol on the hunt for a time criminal. Such fun!
If you enjoy Rome, flying saucers and tall tales, you’ll enjoy this one. Plus it’s very cute that the Romans sound like Wooster, what, old chap.
June 9, 2012
A very early novel written before the author started writing mainly horror and used the pseudonym S. P. Somtow. I remember meeting Somtow in the 80s when he told me his agent convinced hin to change the name so his novels would "sell in the bible belt". He shouldn't have changed his name but the move to horror was a wise thing. This science fiction novel about an alternative history where Rome has conquered the entire Earth is disjointed, rambling, and not very funny. I think this is supposed to be humor. It's hard to tell. Why do writers think that all you need to do to make something funny is to give it a Yiddish accent? Chalk this up as a wrong turn from a talented writer.
August 4, 2009
I stumbled upon this at a used book store and couldn't leave it behind. If you can see the details on the cover, there is a fat Roman in full armor eating some sort of sandwich (turned out to be a bagel with lox and cream cheese), oblivious to the hungry tyrannosaurus rex behind him who is frightening some Roman soldiers and Native Americans. If you're a fan of Roman history and you enjoy the absolutely ridiculous, the WTF-factor of this book will make it an excellent read. I don't want to give away too much, so I will only mention things the teaser material hints at: Aztecs, flying saucers, a Roman general's hunt for China (by crossing North America), flying saucers, Sasquatch, time-traveling aliens, Lacota Indians, etc. The Romans have cars. They cross the Atlantic like it's no big deal. It certainly isn't the best book I've ever read, but it was highly amusing and well worth a read if you find it for a buck or two at your local used book store.
September 24, 2018
una piacevole scoperta. La storia è una delle molteplici varianti del tema "ucronia" innestata sulla fantascienza classica. In soldoni: cosa sarebbe avvenuto se un viaggiatore intergalattico burlone avesse edotto i Romani con chicche tecnologiche tali da renderli capaci di costruire macchine a vapore e navi capaci di solcare l'oceano (senza capirne in realtà il funzionamento ma "istruzioni plug and play)?
In breve tempo avrebbero sbaragliato i barbari presenti e futuri e avrebbero colonizzato il nord America con un migliaio di anni in anticipo portando lì la pax romana, aka assoggettando tribù indiane. Aquiliade rimanda proprio alle avventure di uno di questi capi indiani che diventa sodale di un generale romano aiutandolo in conquiste ed esplorazioni, proteggendolo così dai capricci dell'imperatore di turno.
Diciamo che il titolo è secondo me errato nel senso che il protagonista è il Romano e non il capo tribù che invece funge da spalla.
Certo ci sono miriadi di situazioni troppo forzate (al netto di tutta la parte ET) ma se si mette in pausa il cervello e ci si lascia trasportare dal viaggio dei nostri eroi (nel senso virgiliano del termine) non si rimpiangerà di aver letto il libro.
In breve tempo avrebbero sbaragliato i barbari presenti e futuri e avrebbero colonizzato il nord America con un migliaio di anni in anticipo portando lì la pax romana, aka assoggettando tribù indiane. Aquiliade rimanda proprio alle avventure di uno di questi capi indiani che diventa sodale di un generale romano aiutandolo in conquiste ed esplorazioni, proteggendolo così dai capricci dell'imperatore di turno.
Diciamo che il titolo è secondo me errato nel senso che il protagonista è il Romano e non il capo tribù che invece funge da spalla.
Certo ci sono miriadi di situazioni troppo forzate (al netto di tutta la parte ET) ma se si mette in pausa il cervello e ci si lascia trasportare dal viaggio dei nostri eroi (nel senso virgiliano del termine) non si rimpiangerà di aver letto il libro.
May 26, 2023
High concept trash!
I like Sucharitkul. He's writes without shame, or at least wrote 40 years ago. This book isn't good, but, by God, he understood the assignment. A Roman and a Native American team up in an alternate history. Yes, they meet Bigfoot. Yes, there are aliens. Yes, I was very tired of the whole premise by the end of the story. No, it's not politically correct, but Sucharitkul wisely centers the account in a first-person perspective of a buffoon. And he's Thai and it was written 40 years ago, so who's to say? It's all researched much better than it deserved to be.
I'm not recommending it, unless you like reading the occasional old sci-fi junk. I'm easier on this than a lot of that era of scifi, because Somtow is not on anyone's must-read list and no one bothers me about him, like they do Asimov or whomever. Also, he did the music for 2022's "Tar," and has all sorts of weird political sensibilities on the global stage that would probably enrage me if I understood them. FOUR STARS.
I like Sucharitkul. He's writes without shame, or at least wrote 40 years ago. This book isn't good, but, by God, he understood the assignment. A Roman and a Native American team up in an alternate history. Yes, they meet Bigfoot. Yes, there are aliens. Yes, I was very tired of the whole premise by the end of the story. No, it's not politically correct, but Sucharitkul wisely centers the account in a first-person perspective of a buffoon. And he's Thai and it was written 40 years ago, so who's to say? It's all researched much better than it deserved to be.
I'm not recommending it, unless you like reading the occasional old sci-fi junk. I'm easier on this than a lot of that era of scifi, because Somtow is not on anyone's must-read list and no one bothers me about him, like they do Asimov or whomever. Also, he did the music for 2022's "Tar," and has all sorts of weird political sensibilities on the global stage that would probably enrage me if I understood them. FOUR STARS.
May 19, 2022
Il titolo e la quarta di copertina mi avevano creato delle aspettative troppo elevate.
Mi aspettavo un'ucronia in cui l'Impero Romano conquistava anche il continente americano, invece è una strana storia in cui il protagonista incontra degli alieni che viaggiano nel tempo e la deviazione temporale è interamente dovuta ad un crono-criminale (che però è tale solo perché si diverte a creare deviazioni dalla linea temporale standard, non perché si vuole arricchire).
Insomma speravo davvero meglio.
Mi aspettavo un'ucronia in cui l'Impero Romano conquistava anche il continente americano, invece è una strana storia in cui il protagonista incontra degli alieni che viaggiano nel tempo e la deviazione temporale è interamente dovuta ad un crono-criminale (che però è tale solo perché si diverte a creare deviazioni dalla linea temporale standard, non perché si vuole arricchire).
Insomma speravo davvero meglio.
Read
January 10, 2021A fun fever dream, where you follow a bumbling bubblenosed oaf and his wild and sassy friends.
Action packed and all over the place this novel takes the concept of fast and loose and runs with it to a satisfying finish.
If you're looking for linguistic and historical accuracy go elsewhere.
Want an excellent ride full of boyish charm? This is the novel for you.
Action packed and all over the place this novel takes the concept of fast and loose and runs with it to a satisfying finish.
If you're looking for linguistic and historical accuracy go elsewhere.
Want an excellent ride full of boyish charm? This is the novel for you.
April 14, 2019
Sadly, this was more 'boring roman legion silliness' than 'space alien bigfoot t-rex silliness'. DNF - but have put the trilogy I found at a second hand shop, out for others to find and possibly enjoy.
July 15, 2018
This book was pretty silly, but also pretty enjoyable
January 22, 2021
Whenever you're feeling down about yourself, just remember: At least you're not one of the tasteless, smooth-brained, fun-hating subhumans that gave this masterpiece less than 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2011
(Note: Looking at a couple of the other reviews, I gather that I may have missed the point of the book. I read this book back in '07 and haven't reread since, so I can't say for sure. Anyway, the following is the review I posted to my blog back in '07.)
I’ve been putting off this review until I had more time. But then I realized something very important. This piece of garbage, vomited forth from the preening self-satisfaction that is Somtow Sucharitkul, does not deserve a proper review.
This Sucharitkul doofus has decided that because he knows five or six Latin words and has read Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Cliffs Notes Version a couple times, he is an expert on ancient Rome, and furthermore, since he is a person, he is an expert on human psychology. Combining these two, he is an expert on psychohistory on the level of Hari Seldon. Therefore, he is better suited than anyone else to write an “epic” examining what would have happened had Rome not fallen. And incidentally, Sucharitkul is also an expert on what would happen if time-travelers from our future began mucking about with our past.
Say, did you know that conversational Latin as spoken by a native Roman, when translated into English, reads like idiomatic British English? Rather than, say, idiomatic Italian English?
On second thought, having his characters talk like stereotypical Mafia dons might have been even more insulting to the reader’s intelligence than having them talk like children from an E. Nesbit book. I find myself strangely heartened to think that there is a way for this book to be more insulting to the readers than it already is.
In short: Don’t read this book.
I’ve been putting off this review until I had more time. But then I realized something very important. This piece of garbage, vomited forth from the preening self-satisfaction that is Somtow Sucharitkul, does not deserve a proper review.
This Sucharitkul doofus has decided that because he knows five or six Latin words and has read Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Cliffs Notes Version a couple times, he is an expert on ancient Rome, and furthermore, since he is a person, he is an expert on human psychology. Combining these two, he is an expert on psychohistory on the level of Hari Seldon. Therefore, he is better suited than anyone else to write an “epic” examining what would have happened had Rome not fallen. And incidentally, Sucharitkul is also an expert on what would happen if time-travelers from our future began mucking about with our past.
Say, did you know that conversational Latin as spoken by a native Roman, when translated into English, reads like idiomatic British English? Rather than, say, idiomatic Italian English?
On second thought, having his characters talk like stereotypical Mafia dons might have been even more insulting to the reader’s intelligence than having them talk like children from an E. Nesbit book. I find myself strangely heartened to think that there is a way for this book to be more insulting to the readers than it already is.
In short: Don’t read this book.
July 17, 2012
Come è possibile che all'inizio del IX secolo ab urbe condita - insomma, alla fine del primo secolo dopo Cristo - un generale romano e suo figlio stiano andando a vedere qualche crocifissione su una biga a vapore? Spiegarlo qui rovinerebbe la sorpresa, quindi vi lascio al libro scritto da un ancora più improbabile autore tailandese. Vi basti sapere che Roma ha sfruttato le invenzioni di Epaminondas per attraversare l'Atlantico e conquistare (si fa per dire) alcune province indiane. Aquila, capo della tribù dei Lacotii, è stato nominato senatore e fa la sua bella figura con la toga e il cappello piumato, soprattutto quando il Watson... ehm, il protagonista, il generale Titus Papinianus (Papinianus è il secondo nome di Sucharitkul per la cronaca) è costretto a diventare governatore della Lacotia e cercare la Cina.
La prima parte di questa ucronia è probabilmente la più divertente, e anche l'ultima più direttamente fantascientifica non è male; la parte mediana è invece un po' troppo esagerata, visto che cerca di mettere insieme troppe cose senza limitarsi a far vedere il conflitto tra le usanze romane e quelle indiane. Carini alcuni riferimenti romani: i libri di scienza fantastica, Asimovius e le Fondationes li riconoscerete tutti, ma forse avrete qualche problema a capire chi è P. Josephus Agricola... che pure è un esperto di questo tipo di storie.
La prima parte di questa ucronia è probabilmente la più divertente, e anche l'ultima più direttamente fantascientifica non è male; la parte mediana è invece un po' troppo esagerata, visto che cerca di mettere insieme troppe cose senza limitarsi a far vedere il conflitto tra le usanze romane e quelle indiane. Carini alcuni riferimenti romani: i libri di scienza fantastica, Asimovius e le Fondationes li riconoscerete tutti, ma forse avrete qualche problema a capire chi è P. Josephus Agricola... che pure è un esperto di questo tipo di storie.
June 2, 2014
Cartea de fata cuprinde o serie de povestiri situate intr-o lume alternativa in care Romanii stapanesc (macar) un sfert de lume).
Si se urmaresc aventurile unui general roman ce se insoteste cu un sef de trib indian si cutreiera continentele in cautarea gloriei lui Cezar.
Eu am avut doar o povestire si nu tot volumul, text in care se intalnesc cei doi eroi pentru prima oara, trebuind sa-i salveze lui Cezar o turma de bizoni considerati sacri si pe cale de extinctie pentru ca au fost folositi excesiv in arenele de lupta romane.
NU sunt un fan al realitatilor alternative, dar fiind vorba doar de o povestire am zis sa vad care e treaba. Se pare ca seria asta cu Aquilad-ul este una mai de la inceputul carierei lui Somtow si inainte de a trece la horror-ul ce l-a consacrat.
Si se urmaresc aventurile unui general roman ce se insoteste cu un sef de trib indian si cutreiera continentele in cautarea gloriei lui Cezar.
Eu am avut doar o povestire si nu tot volumul, text in care se intalnesc cei doi eroi pentru prima oara, trebuind sa-i salveze lui Cezar o turma de bizoni considerati sacri si pe cale de extinctie pentru ca au fost folositi excesiv in arenele de lupta romane.
NU sunt un fan al realitatilor alternative, dar fiind vorba doar de o povestire am zis sa vad care e treaba. Se pare ca seria asta cu Aquilad-ul este una mai de la inceputul carierei lui Somtow si inainte de a trece la horror-ul ce l-a consacrat.
May 7, 2015
Vale, old chap
Mildly funny, very British.
Folle storia di un impero romano intorno al 100 d.c. in cui sono gia’ state inventate le macchine a vapore ed i Romani hanno scoperto il continente americano e sottomesso alcune tribu’ pellerossa.
Quando poi intervengono i dischi volanti e Bigfoot…
Per un italiano e’ un po’ strano leggere di antichi romani che si esprimono in un inglese oxfordiano (Sucharitkul, benche’ tailandese – ed in qualche modo parente di un re siamese - e’ formato ad Eton, e scrive in un inglese di cui sono capaci solo gli stranieri colti), ma il libro e' abbastanza divertente.
Mildly funny, very British.
Folle storia di un impero romano intorno al 100 d.c. in cui sono gia’ state inventate le macchine a vapore ed i Romani hanno scoperto il continente americano e sottomesso alcune tribu’ pellerossa.
Quando poi intervengono i dischi volanti e Bigfoot…
Per un italiano e’ un po’ strano leggere di antichi romani che si esprimono in un inglese oxfordiano (Sucharitkul, benche’ tailandese – ed in qualche modo parente di un re siamese - e’ formato ad Eton, e scrive in un inglese di cui sono capaci solo gli stranieri colti), ma il libro e' abbastanza divertente.
November 16, 2011
As a farce it was pretty good. Lampooning the romans as delusional, self-righteous war mongers. Though, the academics were the portion of the farce I most enjoyed; endlessly debating over nonsense and trying desperately to fit what they see into their limited view of the world.
As a sci-fi book I found it severely frustrating. It was one deus ex machina after another with no real direction or specific futuristic notion.
As a sci-fi book I found it severely frustrating. It was one deus ex machina after another with no real direction or specific futuristic notion.
June 10, 2015
Aquila in the New World isn't badly written if you go paragraph by paragraph. But its historical aspects are flawed and its "satire" fails as much as it succeeds.
Most of all, its premise--a mishmash of concepts embodied in the phrase "flying saucers, Sasquatch, time-traveling aliens"--is unbelievable and uninteresting. It's like a child's version of science fiction--like something you'd read in a bad comic book.
Most of all, its premise--a mishmash of concepts embodied in the phrase "flying saucers, Sasquatch, time-traveling aliens"--is unbelievable and uninteresting. It's like a child's version of science fiction--like something you'd read in a bad comic book.
Read
February 12, 2015Wow.
May 23, 2016
A trifle. Just funny enough to keep me engaged to the end. Predictable and more than a bit derivative of Terry Pratchett. Not recommended.
April 11, 2017
Aquila in the New World is an alternate history science fiction novel. It's neither funny nor frightening. The characters never really develop. The jokes mostly revolve around the naming of things and then having the "savages" name it something we'd recognize now (like the Oceanus Papinius being renamed to Oceanus Pacificus because it looks peaceful). Anywho, the point is that there is no real reason defend this book and recommend it. However I will say that the pacing was fine and I didn't leave a bitter taste like some do. I'd recommend it as something to bring and leave at the cottage or if you had a particularly long flight/trip.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews