Feast of Sorrow, Crystal King
Feast of Sorrow, Crystal King
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Feast of Sorrow
A Novel of Ancient Rome

Author: Crystal King

Narrator: Simon Vance

Unabridged: 13 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/25/2017


Synopsis

Set amongst the scandal, wealth, and upstairs-downstairs politics of a Roman family, Crystal King’s seminal debut features the man who inspired the world’s oldest cookbook and the ambition that led to his destruction.On a blistering day in the twenty-sixth year of Augustus Caesar’s reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of twenty thousand denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, wealthy beyond measure, obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places, and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary adviser to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome’s leading epicure.Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius’ help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. Thrasius finds a family in Apicius’ household, his daughter Apicata, his wife Aelia, and her handmaiden, Passia whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome.

About Crystal King

Crystal King is a writer, culinary enthusiast, and social media expert. Her writing is fueled by a love of history and an obsession with the food, language, and culture of Italy. She has taught writing, creativity, and social media at Grub Street and several universities including Harvard Extension School and Boston University. Crystal received her masters in critical and creative thinking from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She lives with her husband and their two cats in the Boston area.

About Simon Vance

Simon Vance is an award-winning actor and an AudioFile Golden Voice with over fifty Earphones Awards and thirteen prestigious Audie Awards. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Heidi on April 24, 2017

A Feast of Sorrow captures the beauty, opulence and madness of Rome during the reign of the Caesars. The story is told from the point of view of a slave in the household of Apicius. But, not just any slave. Thrasius is a cook, a coquus, the head of Apicius' kitchen. He makes some of the finest delic......more

Goodreads review by Sandi on December 05, 2016

While I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, I love to watch it on TV or in a film. I wondered if Feast of Sorrows would remind me of HBO’s show Rome (which I thought was an amazing show). This story lived up to my expectations, with a spectacular portrayal of intrigue, shrewd political maneuveri......more

Goodreads review by Emma on June 16, 2018

This was just the kind of historical fiction I like. In Roman historical fiction there is a glut of stories based on the army or based on Imperial or Senatorial intrigue.I’ve read quite a few of these and enjoyed them but over time I’ve found they all blend together. Either that, or many retell the......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on March 07, 2019

I've always been fascinated by ancient Rome, and thought I had a decent grip on its history from other books, TV programs and visiting the city firsthand, but Crystal King's Feast of Sorrow schooled me in the best possible way -- which is to say the story swept me away to another time, another world......more

Goodreads review by Amy on November 14, 2016

Crystal King, historical fiction writer and fellow Debutante (at [URL not allowed]) has written an epic story of politics, romance, fabulous food, and relationships, causing the reader to be fully invested in all the people who inhabit her tale of Ancient Rome, from the slaves to the r......more


Quotes

“King’s descriptions of the food and entertainment are exquisite, her characters are beautifully drawn…A delight to the senses.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Combines exotic menus with the melodrama of a Greek tragedy. King’s debut is a compelling historical drama with an appetizing center.” Booklist

“Addictively readable…The food lore is fascinating and the time period is inherently dramatic.” Kirkus Reviews

“Crystal King’s debut is a feast for the senses, bringing ancient Rome to dark, vibrant life…Not to be missed!” Kate Quinn, author of Mistress of Rome

“Impossible to put down.” Randy Susan Meyers, bestselling author of Accidents of Marriage

“This immersive, sensorily rich page-turner will take you for a delicious and unforgettable ride.” Tim Weed, author of Will Poole’s Island