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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 5, 1992                   TAG: 9201050264
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: D-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Reviewed by JUDY KWELLER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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HISTORICAL FICTION FOR NON-FANS

THE GRASS CROWN. By Coleen McCullough. Morrow. $23.

"The Grass Crown," an ambitious work of historical fiction, is actually the second in a series. The first, "The First Man of Rome," tells the story of the beginning of the collapse of the Republic of Rome. This lengthy narrative covers the span of time during which the great model city-state begins to unravel. Author Colleen McCullough has said that a third novel will follow.

McCullough is the accomplished and commercially successful author of six previous books, including "The Thorn Birds."

Actually, "The Grass Crown" is not the kind of novel that I would ordinarily pick up to read. My tastes run more toward contemporary fiction. But this novel is an immensely satisfying and compelling piece of work. McCullough has managed to bring to life not only a fascinating society, but also a cast of characters as dynamic and complex as those who govern our lives today.

Perhaps readers like me, with a lackadaisical interest in the understanding of classical history, are the real audience for this novel. McCullough has made this ancient civilization so fascinating that we'll want to know more about it.

"The Grass Crown" is sweeping, well-written, long (894 pages) and fascinating. The maps, illustrations, glossary and cast of characters make it accessible, even for historical fiction non-fans.

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