Rating: 
Summary: I, Claudius
Review: This book is so self-conscious and self-aware, one has to wonder whether the author is not more taken with himself than interested in writing a novel for others to enjoy. Way too cutesy for me.I did not like this book at all. I would have much preferred the author just write a nice, deep, rich biography or even a third-person historical novel, perhaps with footnotes or indexed research notes. The first-person mechanism is highly overused, to the point of abuse. There appears to have been a great deal of research that went into this book, but because of the tone and style, the reader cannot determine or make an assessment as to whether the material is fact or fiction, or merely self-serving attempts to appear clever. The heavy-handed overused literary device severely detracts from the good qualities of the book, which are: good story, interesting historical period, insight into times and lifestyles of long ago, and occasional easy flow of language. This is one book I would not recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: a spectacularly entertaining scandal sheet from the inside
Review: There is no valid criticism I can make of I, Claudius. Certainly it isn't the most beautifully written nor by far the most profound book I've read, but the density of its subject matter grabs you from the start and continues to build until you can't wait to read the sequal. Here is ancient Rome told from a modern perspective (regardless of the 1934 publication date). This is a fascinating book. What the novel ultimately deals with is history, as told in the present for future generations and the perversions each subsequent generation amends to the past for political or self-glorifying reasons. Claudius himself remains mostly aloof, never truly regarded as worthwhile but a member of the interior cabal nonetheless through the dark pains and curse of his bloodline. Having been considered an imbecile since he was born two months pre-mature he is able to function mostly at will in his shadowy corner of anonymity. And he stays there and watches, chronicling the horrifying goings on of his superiors, brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts--every member of his ruling family. And the story he tells is meant to be the absolute final word in truth. Of course the truth is also shaded by opinions, perspectives and the individual prejudices that makes the past into a variety of valid opinions and Claudius himself is fully aware of this. This gives his story even more veracity as he turns his rigidly historical hindsight equally onto everyone, certainly unwilling to save himself from the reader's potential scorn. A great, great book of historical imagination, world literature is enhanced by its lesson of the insincerity of all serious history.
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Summary: And I thought my family was dysfunctional...
Review: Make no mistake, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus came from a family that was so messed up, it would make modern senators die of shock. Claudius, as he is commonly known, was the grandson of the Emperor Augustus of Rome and his lying, scheming, poisoning wife Livia, who held the reigns of power with Augustus for fifty years. Through her machinations, Livia greatly helped to turn Rome into the decadent, dying empire that we have all learned about, and seen in Gladiator. Livia poisoned everybody neccesary to get her son Tiberius, Claudius's uncle, made Emperor upon Augustus's death, including two of her other sons. Tiberius spent much of his reign in a strange power struggle with his mother. When he died, the Roman empire got Claudius's infamous nephew Caligula as their new emperor. By the time Caligula was assasinated, Claudius was the only royal relative left who was still admired enough to be made emperor, against his wishes. Although this sounds like dull history, the truth is that Robert Graves's book is a gripping, well-studied, enjoyable and easy to read near-history of the decline of the Roman Empire. His characterisation of Claudius as intelligent man hidden behind his physical characteristics (such as a limp, stammer, and tendency to drool) gives the reader a clear look at how history was played out through the eyes of a man around whom few bothered to guard their speech. I learned more Roman history from this book that I did from my class on the classics of philosophy, and in a far more enjoyable way. I'm heading out to buy the sequel, Claudius the God.
Rating:
Summary: Influential, Imaginative and Poignant
Review: "I, Claudius" is Robert Graves' masterpiece, the most influential work of 20th century historical fiction and an imaginative, poignant novel more than worthy of its lofty reputation. Written as the fictional autobiography of the fourth Roman emperor, it exposes undercurrents of bloodlust, lunacy and violence lurking behind the facade of order in the reigns of his three imperial predeccesors. While all too many scholars of history are able to recall the events of the past but unable to taste the spirit of an age, "I, Claudius" charges readers with the sensual thrill of the Roman Empire; it shines with passion, piercing characterizations, gentle humor, and astounding realism. Nor should the modern critic be too quick to dismiss the tale as sheer fancy, for Graves was a prodigious man of letters and every detail of the book is grounded in some historical source or another, (although it is left to the author's creative genius to weave these vignettes together into one organic, living whole). Claudius emerges not only as a sympathetic character, but even as a friend and confidante, and this novel (alongside Arnaldo Momigliano's celebrated biography), almost single-handedly transformed scholarly opinions of his character . Haunting, memorable, and actually fun to read, his story comes highly recommended to any adventurous reader.
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Summary: UUUNBeatable
Review: Tiberius Claudius Drusas Nero Germanicus lived 2000 years ago, but his story brought to life by Robert Graves in such a way that he feels like a contemporary without losing the reality of his time. Graves has a great sense of history and the character of Claudius does as well. Of course Claudius was a historian in reality and also a man of his times. Graves brings both the times and the man out for us to celebrate and enjoy. The entire book feels like a conversation between us and Claudius and an interesting conversation it is. The best character in the book of course is Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar. She is the leader, the mover and shaker. She is the kingmaker who determines the fate of the empire for years to come. Chris Hitchens would call her the Kissinger of her era, or more properly as the book was written far before his time Kissinger is the Livia of his era. This book has something for everyone, and should not be missed. Its sequal was just as good. Both shoud be required reading. This one is a keeper
Rating:
Summary: I, Claudius
Review: Engaging story all the way through from the "eyes" of Claudius. The book gives powerful insight into some of Claudius' family, their personalities and feelings. It was never boring to read and easy to understand (although I did draw a small family tree on the inside cover to help keep the many individuals' relationships to each other clear in my mind!).
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: Robert Graves's I, Claudius may well be the most acclaimed work of historical fiction every written. The book deserves the title both for its quality and when it was written. Graves tells the story of life under Augustus, Tiberius, and Augustus from the prospective of Claudius, who succeeded them to the throne. Many historians would disagree with Graves portrait of Claudius as an inoffensive, bookish, innocent fellow surrounded by evil and intrigue. Still, he writes extremely well, constructing characters carefully, and giving a vision of life in ancient Rome. The text is filled with interesting historic details. Some find the work dry, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it thoroughly. If you are interested in historical fiction of Rome, I also recommend The Grass Crown Series, which offers considerably more detail of an earlier period.
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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: Outstanding...
Review: This book is possibly the greatest piece of historical fiction ever written, and it is certainly one of the best novels of the 20th century. It's plot is nothing particularly special...just the life of an ancient Rome princeling, and how he survives murder through thanks to his physical deformities. The writing is superb, woven together seamlessly thanks to Graves' outstanding skill. Additionally, the characterization is interesting, if a little on the flat side. However, Graves compensates by weaving a beautiful tapestry of Imperial Rome, one that is largely historically accurate, making this a novel useful to the amateur historian, as well the casual or serious reader. The subtelties of the novel are also interesting as Graves comments on the corruption of Empire versus Republic, sending a clear message to a shattered Europe, suffering through the after effects of World War I. A must-read for history lovers, but highly recommended for all.
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Summary: Graves book/audio is a master piece!
Review: Having seen the tv series many times , I thought that it was due time to hear the audio. I, Claudius [UNABRIDGED] by Robert Graves is an amazing tale of intrigue, back stabbing and family quarrel. The book is in fact just as good as the tv series and in certain ways it delves into avenues not explored by the director. The man reading the tape has an authoratative voice and his reading is quite good. Highly Recommended.
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