Quotes from book
Last Act in Palmyra

Name: Last Act in Palmyra
Author: Lindsey Davis

Last Act in Palmyra is a 1994 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the sixth book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Rome, Nabatea, and Palmyra, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the hunt undertaken by Falco for a murderer, the last act of which takes place in Palmyra, as well as plays upon Falco's temporary employment as a playwright with a travelling theatre group.

“Communicating wit is a lonely art. It demands an independent soul.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“In an ideal world I ought to have gone with him to observe their reactions, but in an ideal world heroes never get tired or depressed; what's more, heroes are paid more than me.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“Love and death are gritty subjects. Their appropriate handling by poets does not require myrtle petals and violets.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“In fact, making up a spiteful lie has become respectable. Today's "jesters" are outright public nuisances.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“The world is full of people slandering their birthplaces, as if they really believe that small-town life is different elsewhere.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“You're not bloody Aristophanes, and the people who are paying for tickets are not educated Athenians. We're acting for turnips who only come to talk to their cousins and fart. We have to give them a lot of action and low-level jokes, but you can leave all that to us on stage. We know what's required. Your job is to hone the basic framework and remember the simple motto: short speeches, short lines, short words.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra

“Instead of making a genuine point, it's now good enough to repeat any ribald story without a thought for whether it's even true.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra
Context: The new "humour", if you can call it that, is pure malicious gossip. Instead of making a genuine point, it's now good enough to repeat any ribald story without a thought for whether it's even true.

“Most cynics are witty and all clowns are cynical. Meet us on the road, and who could tell the difference?”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra
Context: I asked why Grumio had had to turn to lesser things.'No call. In my father or grandfather's day all I would have needed in life were my cloak and shoes, my flask and strigil, a cup and knife to take to dinner, and a small wallet for my earnings. Everyone who could find the wherewithal would eagerly ask a wandering jokesmith in.'
'Sounds just like being a vagrant philosopher!'
'A cynic,' he agreed readily. 'Exactly. Most cynics are witty and all clowns are cynical. Meet us on the road, and who could tell the difference?’
'Me, I hope! I'm a good Roman. I'd take a five-mile detour to avoid a philosopher.'</p

“The new "humour", if you can call it that, is pure malicious gossip. Instead of making a genuine point, it's now good enough to repeat any ribald story without a thought for whether it's even true.”

Lindsey Davis book Last Act in Palmyra

Last Act in Palmyra (1994)