Released from the Arctic ice after two millennia, a former Roman gladiator must contend with his haunted memories while trying to make sense of a strange new world While conducting exploration in the frozen Arctic, Texan Lew McCardle, a geologist working for the Houghton Oil company, discovers something remarkable: a body encased in the ice. More remarkable still, the skills of Russian … skills of Russian researcher Semyon Petrovitch bring the man miraculously back to life. This strange visitor from the distant past has an amazing story to tell. Translated from his native Latin by Nordic nun Olava, Lucius Aurelius Eugenianus reveals that in the era of Domitian he was a champion in the Roman Coliseum, a gladiator known far and wide as the greatest of all time. But now the warrior Eugeni must readjust to this new world, with its bizarre customs, hidden traps, and geopolitical and moral complexities, as he struggles to come to terms with painful memories of loves and glories lost, the bloodthirsty politics and heartbreaking betrayals that ultimately led him to this time and place.
An ingenious amalgam of science fiction, fantasy, and history, Richard Ben Sapir’s The Far Arena is a breathtaking work of literary invention, at once thrilling, poignant, and thought-provoking. A classic tale of strange destiny and miraculous reawakening populated by a rich cast of unforgettable characters, past and present, that will live long in the reader’s memory.
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It has a couple slow spots but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the main character and his flashbacks to Rome and the arena.
Read this years ago and loved it. Always hoped it would be a movie. Saw it for sale on the kindle and figured iI would read it again. Once I’ve read a book, usually forget it but there were certain things about this that I still remember. Loved the whole premise.
Incredible story, best book I have read in 2021.
The author takes forever to get to the point, and then when he gets there it’s not much of a point.
As a history teacher I especially enjoyed the book and it’s links between the past and present. Good read!
Creative blend of history and science fiction. The life of a Roman gladiator told with striking detail of life in Ancient Rome, but also a sci-fi fantasy of what happens when he wakes up in the 20th century after two thousand years of hibernation. A fun and informative read.
The author could have taken this story line to so many places but didn’t. Instead he dissected the emotional in confusing and repetitive way. I really wanted to explore more possible outcomes for Eugenio. He was interesting.
This book held me in its grasp til the very end. A thoroughly quality read
One or two minor anachronisms. Suspend belief for the scientific plausibility. Interesting premise with twist at the end.
Not what I expected and enjoyable read. Two distinct stories woven into a book that comes together. Keeps your mind thinking.
Very odd story line. Characters really were not likable.
What could he more fun than a ‘what if’ story. Implausible, but… fun…
Mr. Ben Sapir has every detail in place in this compelling story, and except for some wandering philosophical dialogue 2/3 of the way through, the story races to an unexpected conclusion.
Boring.
A roman gladiator revived after 2000 years frozen. Interesting story and some good characters.
One of the best books I’ve ever read – and I read a lot!
I just finished reading this book. I liked it and found myself really caring for some of the main characters. The plot, I thought, was interesting and I think more than anything it helped me understand ancient Roman perspectives so foreign to my thinking.
A wonderful amalgam of adventure, history, mild science fiction, romance and intrigue; and classical reasoning and philosophy. Its a truly unique book with something for everyone; yet isn’t diminished by that. It has insight and is thoughtful, operating on a number of levels. I enjoyed it and do recommend.
What a great idea- it took me a while to see the parallels-to paraphrase an old quote- They who do not study history are doomed to repeat it!
Great first in a series, then it gets very strange.