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Summary: I, Claudius...pseudoautobiography of roman emperor
Review: Tiberius Claudius, one of the "good apples" from the Claudian line of Roman emperors and gentry, narrates his childhood, adolescence, and the years up to his being crowned Emperor. Note: this is a work of fiction by ROBERT GRAVES, not a true autobiography of the Emperor. I learned more about Roman history from this book, and from its sequel Claudius the God, than I ever could have by reading a history textbook. But it absolutely churns as a novel, as well...the characters, from the insidious poisoner Livia (wife of Augustus and surrogate grandmother of Claudius) to the courageous but naive Germanicus, are compelling and believeable. For example, as Claudius describes Germanicus' funeral ceremony, he ends the chapter with the statement: "Of my own sorrow I would not trust myself to write," but the reader feels as if he could write it for him. The book drew me into the Roman Empire, and delighted me with its resigned cynicism through the eyes of the crippled bystander Claudius. From what we gather from his own words, Claudius is not a hero. He just wants to escape public life and live his days as a historian. His matter-of-fact style of describing the decadence of Tiberius' reign and Caligula's insanity will have you laughing out loud more than once during your read. Caligula tells Claudius that he is a divine being and is hiding in a human form, and Claudius does not hesitate to prostrate himself and affirm these proclamations: "your face shines a strange and bright glow, my lord." As he leaves the chamber of the new "god", he chuckles to himself, "good, now they will lock him up and restore the Republic." As you read, keep in mind the point of view from which it is being told, and you will enjoy the subtleness of the humor all the more. The book brings previously chronicled history alive with real characters and is as enjoyable a satire as you will ever read.
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Summary: ONE OF THE GREATEST I'VE EVER READ!!!
Review: Wow, was I ever surprised as all heck when this novel ended up being one of the greatest I've ever read. Not having too much background on Roman history, my preliminary thought was that I would be turned off after reading the first fifty pages. However, that thought was soon contradicted, and I found myself staying up an extra half hour every night just to see the following events.I, Claudius is, without a doubt, a masterpiece in historical fiction. Much like Lonesome Dove, it made me more open-minded towards different types of literature. It has its own intellecutal wit, superfluous yet absorbing description, and a great storyline. Graves does a superb job at expressing the bad people surrounding Claudius (Livia, Tiberius, Caligula) and the good (Postumus, Augustus, Germanicus). I'm sure this wasn't an easy novel for Graves to write and it's an example of extreme determination and research. Those reasons can be accountable for it being considered one of the greatest American novels of all time. However, there are certain aspects about it that some overlook. Take the character of Claudius. Though the customs and culture of Ancient Rome are far different than that of late 90's America, the position of Claudius is not. He is an outcast. People look towards him with disgust and make fun of his disabilities. He is barely given any chances and does not exactly have the greatest family life. Yet in the end, he does prevail as Emperor, even though he does not want to be. Let a teenager with tolerance and time read this novel, and most likely they will see how Claudius can relate to many others nowadays. Claudius, I believe, is one of the most dignified and respectable characters in literature. In spite of the harsh criticism, he remains resolute and loyal. I guess that's it. So I end with saying that this novel is a sure pleaser. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I still have yet to read CLAUDIUS THE GOD.
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Summary: One of the Few Classics I Actually Loved
Review: ***One of the TWO best books I read in 2003*** My favorite author, George R. R. Martin, recommended this book on his website, so I grabbed the audiobook off the shelf at the library. It, in turn, grabbed my attention right away. It was excellent! I've never found myself making up so many excuses to go driving! I can tell that Martin was heavily inspired by this book. Tyrion, one of his most famous characters from A GAME OF THRONES (an amazing fantasy novel), most certainly is based upon Claudius from this book, for they are so similar. Some might worry that Martin might be copying Graves too much, but he has done enough to make Tyrion unique. I love both books, both characters and both authors immensely now, so you'll get no complaints from me! Of course, it also helped that I am a huge fan of the Roman Empire: Historical fiction novels, History Channel, Roman History classes in college, or whatever I can get my eyes and ears on. So I guess this book is simply up my alley, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone with similar interests. -Next in the series is Claudius the God, and I certainly plan on reading it soon. -Also, if you consider yourself a true fan of this book, you owe it to yourself to get your hands on a copy of the 1975 Masterpiece Theatre Miniseries of I CLAUDIUS, produced by the BBC. You might think its a little corny or outdated, but you should definitely give it a try. I found it at the library, and tore through all 7 tapes recklessly, and ended up quite entertained. Go for it!
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Summary: Excellent, well worth the read!
Review: I, Claudius is perhaps the best work of historical fiction that I've ever read. Robert Graves couldn't have pick a better topic for a story. The book is so filled with political intrigue that it's very difficult to put down. Told from the Claudius' perspective, the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula come alive in a way that no historical tome can ever get across. Graves takes the existing accounts of this time period and adds meat to it. While some of the occurances in the novel can be called into question (as historians often debate on what really happened), Graves writes in such an engrossing way that those questionable items seem forgivable. Also, it is apparent that Graves has studied, in detail, the facts concerning these emporers, and any inaccuracies (or accuracies) are the results of decisions he's made concerning the truth of the facts available. In that sense, this is a very admirable book. Don't let all this discussion of history fool you into thinking this a dull book. It's not. The characters are so well developed, and involved in so much political intrigue (and violence), that it is quite a page turner. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. I'd recommend it to anybody whose interested in in Rome, historical fiction, or simply good fiction. I have a hard time imagining someone coming away from this one displeased. Enjoy!
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Summary: Republic vs. Empire
Review: Graves writes with the sparse, absolutely precise prose of a Latin scholar. This alone makes it worthy of recommendation; the style 'classic' on its own.
Claudius is an engaging figure. Born with a number of physical birth defects, he survives in the rarified and frequently lethal atmosphere of the imperial court. He lived in the time of the great Augustus, the brutal and lacivious Tiberius and the totally mad Caligula. The malicious thread of Livia, Augustus' consort and a woman who was surely an early incarnation of Lucretia Borgia, runs through the three reigns. With a host of engaging cameos, the book is essentially describing a tragedy, the slow descent of the first true superpower of the West into self-destruction.
If you accept that the USA is the sole remaining superpower, then many of the horrors and follies of the recent past and present are illuminated through this book. For the desparate attempts to regain the Eagles of the Roman regiments lost in Germany, read the rebuilding of the US Armed Forces after Vietnam. Meditate on the real dangers to freedom when a state is perceived by its citizens as the best. Notice how the power of the chief executive is always increasing, and always more ill-used. And how an appetite for spectacle and violence can keep even an educated population subjugated and uncaring of the worst excesses of the ruling elite. This book is really, really important. It is probably the most accessible discussion of power and how a Republic can turn into an Empire. And how an Empire can tear itself apart.
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Summary: painful. couldn't get past page 50. What book was I reading?
Review: Not the same book as everyone else, I guess. My entire book club had the same experience- we had to skip this month's meeting because none of us could get through this book. Very disappointing- and it wasn't just me, although we all seem outvoted by those who consider this one of the classics of all time. Maybe it's a guy's book? A history buff's book? I'm a summa cum laude Ivy League English major and I just hated it. To each his own.
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Summary: Magnificent!
Review: Never dull (amazingly) -- brilliant, fast-paced and deliciously scandalous. Exactly the sort of book to get a reluctant/apprehensive reader interested in the classics(...)
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Summary: An unbelievable story
Review: While Robert Graves' second story on Emperor Claudius, called 'Claudius the God', is full of historical facts, this tale is not as trustworthy. I wouldn't deny that almost every event in the story had really happened, but the way everything is explained by Graves is rather fictional. Most important example is the role of Empress Livia (Augustus' wife). She is presented as an evil, poisonous snake that puts all enemies out of her way by poisoning them. Many members of the Imperial Family become victim of Livia's practices in this story. However, there is not much proof that Livia was really dealing with poison so often. The greatest part of Livia's image comes from Graves' creative mind. But, even if it's not true, I don't really care. This is a great story about a most interesting person in Roman history: the Emperor Claudius, who ruled from 41 to 54 AD. This book deals with the period before Claudius becomes Emperor, and it's the most interesting part as well. Like another reviewer remarked on this page, the Imperial family had some real Mafioso-characteristics. Many, many members died very early and unexpectedly, and it's this fact that probably inspired Graves to create the image of the evil Livia. The young Claudius was also part of the family, but not a common one. He was handicapped from his youth, and stammered a lot. Hence he was regarded as the fool of the family. No one took him serious, except his brother and his friend Postumus, and so he wasn't regarded as a danger by anyone. At last, Claudius' image of a stupid fool made him the only member of the family who survived the terror reigns of both Tiberius and Caligula. So this 'fool' finally became the ruler of the largest empire the world ever saw, while the people that had always mocked with him had all been killed before they got the chance to become emperor. What a story! Robert Graves tells you every detail of it, and although he may have spiced it here and there a bit, the main line of the story is history. You'll get great insight in the reigns of the Emperors Augustus (just, fair), Tiberius (cruel, curmudgeon), and Caligula (insane). All characters in the story are not just some boring persons: they come to life at every page, and there are even some great surprises. For example, Claudius' prostitute Calpurnia turns out to be more intelligent than any other woman in the story, except Livia maybe. Speaking about Livia: although she is presented as a tyrant, Graves also tells that in fact the whole Imperial regime depended on this woman. It was not Augustus who ruled, but Livia. And the final pages of the book offer some new information on this woman... go read it I would say. This is a story more unbelievable than many 'American dream', but still it's true. 'I Claudius' is one of my absolutely favourite books.
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Summary: Masterpiece of Historical Fiction
Review: I had been meaning to read this book for many years, and having just completed it, I wish I had never put it off. This is a superb work of historical fiction. Robert Graves manages to recreate the personalities, customs, and idioms of ancient Rome in a way that makes it perfectly understandable. Reading the history of Rome in a textbook, one has a hard time sorting out the differences and the family relationships of the Julians and the Claudians; reading "I, Claudius" you have no trouble keeping them all straight -- the stern but virtuous Augustus, the cruel and paranoid Tiberius, and the deranged, amoral Caligula veritably leap off the page. One sympathizes with Claudius, who, alone of the family, is left to live his life without fear of being poisoned or assassinated by his family rivals because of his physical disabilities. Claudius, who wants nothing more than to be left to his books and who secretly pines for a return to the Republic, ends up becoming the emperor who rebuilds the empire after Caligula's disastrous rule. Graves has a remarkable gift in the book for imagery and anecdote -- the book is a compendium of small tales about Rome that add up to a large and marvelous mosaic. Don't hesitate to buy the book and read it. It is a remarkable work.
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Summary: Historical Fiction, with an Emphasis on Historical
Review: I was very excited to read "I, Claudius" because of the almost unanimous praise it has received by Amazon readers. I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed in it. It's by no means a bad book, but I found that Robert Graves' cold historical voice kept me at a distance emotionally from the story and characters. Graves relates the story in a "first this happened, then that happened" kind of way, which has the benefit of explaining the history surrounding Claudius's rise to Roman Emperor in a clear and non-convoluted way. However, Graves' approach to the story also succeeds in keeping the reader uninvolved in the proceedings, because characters never become alive, but instead remain as about as engaging as the people you read about in high school history books. In short, I would recommend this book if you're in the mood for a plot-driven novel---and believe me, there's plenty of plot to sink your teeth into. But if you're in the mood to wrap your mind around fully developed characters and psychological complexity, I would read something besides this.
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