Book Log 2016 #5: Dictator by Robert Harris

Ten years after the first book in the trilogy, we finally get the closing volume in this fictional biography of Cicero, covering his exile from Rome to his death. And while it was a long wait, it was worth the wait. 

In this end part of his life, Cicero is down but not out of Roman politics, finding a way to remain relevant while the republic descends into empire. For every reversal that could see Cicero finally put out to pasture - or worse - there comes another change that rises him up, putting him in the mix with the new leaders of Rome and making him a pivotal figure in restoring the republic or supporting the great men of the Triumvirate (and occasionally both, as fortunes turn). We do get a little more insight into Cicero's personal life, too, but as that part of the story fades we get the sense that for Cicero, his personal life was his public life.

A fine end to an excellent trilogy. Worth reading all at once, I think, if you've not read any of the books yet.

(Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book set in Europe)