The Fall of Rome

I read a page, put it down, read another page, trying to stretch the story out. I am so drawn in by the characters Ms Southgate has created. So many layers, so thought provoking. One of my real favorites.

Great writing, keeps you on edge, and best of all, its a great story. Highly Recommend.

Started reading this at 11 a.m. Got distracted by work, kids,chores, cooking, etc., but picked it up again at 10 p.m. and literally couldn't put it down until I was done; at timestears were rolling down my face as I turned the pages. The three main characters are so brilliantly realized they are indelibly drawn on my mind; as a reader you can't wait to see what is going to happen when these three people clash,as they inevitably must. It's about race, class, boys, men,women, love, motherhood, violence, divorce - everything thatmatters right now, and the profound questions we face as individuals and as a society in going forward, in ourrelationships, in our families, and in our institutions. Yet you don't have to care about any of these issues, particularly, to just love this book on a totally viscerallevel. It's beautiful and meaningful, and deserves a wide audience.

This is a beautifully written, insightful novel which does justice to the complexities of racial (and gender) identities and interactions in what some refer to as the "post-civil rights era."

When I first choose this book I didn't expect a literary read. I thought this would be another novel just like those I've read in the past; I was happily mistaken. This book was a wonderful journey into the life of Rashid Bryson a glimpse of his brothers death through Rashid his mother and father's eyes, his latin teacher Mr. Washington a man so absorbed in his own pain a racial marathon, he can't see for looking, and lastly but not least Ms. Hansen Rashid's caucasin English teacher who comes to his aid. The Fall of Rome is told by these three main characters.Mr. Washington is a villian you love to hate - and Rashid the character you continue to root for. Ms Southgate outdid herself with this first novel and I look forward to her works in the future...^5 and a courtesy to you Martha Southgate.