Title: Tiberius Bound
Author: Walter Signorelli
Publisher: The Ewings Publishing
ISBN: 979-8-89031-612-7
Pages: 334
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Pamela Morison
Hollywood Book Reviews
Author Walter Signorelli’s Tiberius Bound is an exemplary piece of historical fiction that traces the complex life of Tiberius Caesar, the second emperor of Rome and the stepson of Augustus Caesar. In this book, Signorelli attempts to draw attention to the intriguing aspects of Tiberius’s life. While doing so, he captures ancient Rome’s transition from the Republic to the emperorship (rulership). Narrated from the third-person point of view, Tiberius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Vipsania, Julia, Nerva, and Caligula emerge as the prominent characters in this fictionalized record of Tiberius’ life.
Tiberius Caesar, the protagonist of this narrative, is portrayed as a character who played a major role in ancient Rome’s political and social unrest which occurred after 42 BC. Signorelli has tactfully weaved the historical aspect of Tiberius’ life with fiction. This can be seen throughout this book as Signorelli smoothly transitions through various events of the protagonist’s personal and public life. He fittingly describes the situation of ancient Rome in 42 BC, when Tiberius was born as an empire “reeling from the assassination of Julius Caesar.” Then he goes on to record Tiberius’ tumultuous past – his Claudian identity, the devastative separation of his parents, his forced ordeal to stay under Augustus’ rule, his happy married life with his wife, Vipsania, his forced marriage with Julia (Augustus’ daughter), his decision to move to the Island of Rhodes, his impeccable role as a Roman magistrate and military commander, his successful tenure as Rome’s second emperor, his move to stay in the Island of Capri and lastly, his eventual death. Signorelli manages to depict all of these prominent events in Tiberius’ life and the transition of the Roman empire effectively through his writing.
Walter Signorelli’s writing emerges to be holistic in portraying the paramount milestones of Roman history after 42 BC. The political and social issues described in this book can be applied to present-day scenarios as well. They serve as pioneers and resolutions for the problems existing in today’s world. In this manner, Tiberius Bound emerges as a timeless tale of historical fiction. Signorelli’s organized writing style, his use of allusions, and his ability to fuse history and fiction in a riveting manner make this book even more gripping and informative. This book serves as a doorway for present-day readers to peep into the complex past of ancient Rome. I highly recommend it if you love reading interesting historical fiction whose morals or lessons could be applied to modern-day crises.