Spartacus is still in the Sunday Times charts this week, albeit at No. 10. It’s been an incredible result so far – more than 12,000 hardbacks sold after 5 weeks in the Top Ten. Thanks so much to all of you who’ve made that possible!
This week was also when I handed in Spartacus: Rebellion to my editor as well. The last 30 pages were easy in a way to write, but very sad as well. It felt weird writing an aftermath as well. I’ve spent over a year in the company of Spartacus, and it felt very strange coming to the end of that.
I was bloody knackered when I’d done it – the last 7 weeks have been 6 day a week, 10-14 hours a day writing. Yesterday I didn’t know what to do with myself! I do this weekend, however, as I’m going to Rome for 3 days. Research and a few beers will be done and had! Will get some good photos to post up here as well. Hope you all have a good one! Ciao!
John Salter says
Great news again Ben and well done for finishing Rebellion, you deserve a good break, enjoy! John
John Salter says
PS. I finished the first book yesterday, another great read, review to follow as usual!
Ben Kane says
@John: Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for your good wishes. Will raise a Peroni to your good health!
Bonovox says
Congrats on the success of your new book Ben! I just ordered my copy from Amazon U.K., and have been checking the mailbox every day!! There is just no way that i could wait another year for it to be released here in the states! I have a feeling that today will be the day that the little gem arrives! Yaaay!
Ben Kane says
@Bonovox: Thanks a lot – and I hope your copy of Spartacus arrives soon…cue a ‘sick’ day off work? 😉
sownack says
Well done Ben. I won’t ask what happens in the end of Spartacus: Rebellion. I shall just wait not so patiently………..
So now are you going to allow yourself to watch anything of the Spartacus series on TV? I enjoyed Blood and Sand and the prequel Gods of the Arena, filmed to allow the late Andy Whitfield time to recover from his treatment. John Hannah was great in both as the scheming Batiatus and I miss him now that Vengeance is airing. He was a towering character and I wish he had not been written out.
Poor Liam McIntyre has come in for some unjust and harsh criticism on IMDb and elsewhere I daresay, but so far I have not seen anything to complain about. He is not Andy Whitfield but brings his own interpretation to the role of Spartacus. I do not have a problem with that, yet some people appear determined not to like him. It’s very sad.
I shall get to Rome one day, but not this year. I want to see not only the Roman ruins above ground but am really keen to see the subterranean Rome too. Have a great trip and do post photos when you return.
Mike Reed says
Hi Ben – yeah you need a break, albeit a short one, and there couldn’t be a more ideal place than Rome. Have a good time, launching one book and finishing another inside 7/8 weeks, you deserve it. Let’s hear some more interesting stories when you come back, best wishes.
Ben Kane says
@sownack: less than 6 months to go for Rebellion…
Nope, won’t watch Spartacus just yet. I still want to stay in my version of that world. Will look forward to it, though, and from the trailer I saw, Liam Mc Intyre looks very good.
Will take as many photos as possible – and I hope you get there soon!
Ben Kane says
@Mike: Thanks!
Christiano says
Hi Ben. Just want to say, really enjoying the book so far, was a nice surprise from my girlfriend for our anniversary recently, as she knows I am an avid fan of the Starz show also.
It’s fantastic to be able to enjoy both the show and the book simultaniously, as it really is a fantastic story.
Came on here to see if there was any information on a sequel, glad to see from one of your earlier replies, only a 6month wait!
Will be checking the site more regularly, and will definately be picking up the rest of your catalogue after I have finished with good ol’ Sparty.
Ben Kane says
@Christiano: thanks for posting, and welcome to my site! Very pleased that you’re enjoying Spartacus so much – well done to your GF for picking it out! Best wishes.
Romulus says
I remember at school when I was impressed with a single A4 page of writing but 10 to 14 hours a day! Any body deserves a break after that!
Bonovox says
Just finished Spartacus, and it was GREAT!! Can’t wait for Rebellion! Hope you had a great time in Rome! Now that you have finished Spartacus, will you be working on the next Hannibal installment? Be prepared for me to occasionally nag you for a series on Troy as well!! Take care Ben! Thanks for the great reads!…ahem..troy….
Ben Kane says
@Bonovox: Glad you enjoyed it!! Not sure what to work on next – have so many ideas….
Had a brilliant time in Rome, thanks!
liamandrews says
ive got to ask wy no 4th book in the forgotten legion sires. u seem to leve it on a bit of a cliff hanger – *apologies for editing your post, but I’ve had people who haven’t read all the books complain about finding out stuff from the comments of others.*
Ben Kane says
@liamandrews: Hi, and thanks for posting! In order not to spoil it for others, I’ve emailed you my reply. Cheers!
Malveryn says
Dear Ben, I have read and immensly enjoyed the Forgotten Legion trilogy. I have read Howard Fast’s Spartacus (first as a teenager and a second time 3 years ago as a 50- something year old) twice and I’m fascinated with the character of Spartacus. I am currently 3/4 finished with Spartacus: The Gladiator. The read is sooo satifying and wonderful. Can’t wait for the next installment. Kudos to you, Ben.
Ben Kane says
@Malveryn: Thanks for posting and for your compliments – I still have to read the Fast novel myself.
liamandrews says
hi i just wonderd in the forgotten legion were did u come up with the name lupanar for the brothal is it real
Ben Kane says
@liam: The name is real, yes. I think it was a generic name for brothels.
John Salter says
Ben, I don’t know if you’ve seen it but there’s a review of your book in the BBC History magazine this month, page 74!
PS. Hannibal gets a mention as well, same page!
Ben Kane says
@John: yes, I saw the article – a nice surprise! Thanks for mentioning it!
Tom_89 says
After wrapping up my final year of university as an English and Creative Writng student, one of the main joys I had hoped to regain was the joy of reading a book again with the knowledge that I wouldn’t be assessed on it at some point. Spartacus was the book that I decided to get stuck into first (and there’s a big pile). Less than a hundred pages to go and I’m really enjoying it. Can’t wait for Rebellion.
Ben Kane says
@Tom_89: cheers, mate! Good luck finishing uni!
kola says
After submitting my last essay for my classics course on the 4th May I picked up my copy of Hannibal and read it in about 3 days I loved it. Last week I treated myself to Spartacus and the same read it in 3 days and its brilliant. Loved them just as much as I did The Forgotton Legion Series I can’t wait to pick up the sequels. Both books were a well deserved and pleasurable reward for completing all my essays. Now I have to revise for my exam in June Any suggestions of a great book to read afterwards to reward myself for all the revision I’m about to do.
Ben Kane says
@kola: Thanks for your post – I’m glad that you enjoyed the latest two books so much! Good luck with your continuing revision and the exam in June.
Suggestions: Wounds of Honour by Anthony Riches?
The Boat of Fate by Keith Roberts?
Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem?