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Summary: S.P.Q.R. (Super Positive Quick Review)
Review: Robert Graves's fictionalized autobiography of Claudius, the fourth Emperor of Rome, is so phenomenally fascinating that any review I write can hardly do it justice. Claudius writes that he was born prematurely and afflicted with many physical infirmities that make his life difficult and uncomfortable. Most of his relatives consider him an idiot due to his stammering and twitching and treat him with derision and condescension. However, he was a bright, studious boy who used his time to better his mind in the subjects of history and politics, and he becomes a dedicated historian and accomplished writer. As a member of the Imperial family, Claudius has an insider's perspective of Roman politics at the beginning of the Empire and the Pax Romana. The novel begins with an account of the end of the Republic around 40 B.C., how Claudius's wickedly scheming grandmother Livia masterminded much of the politics which led to the formation of the Empire, and how her husband and Claudius's great-uncle Augustus Caesar became the first Emperor. The reigns of Claudius's depraved uncle Tiberius and insane nephew Caligula follow, and Claudius finally becomes Emperor, somewhat reluctantly, upon Caligula's death in 41 A.D. What I found extremely interesting about the book is that it explains the complications of maintaining, defending, and expanding an empire. The detailed descriptions of the military campaigns show how the frontiers of the Empire (especially Germany) were in constant danger of disruption by barbarians and mutinous, undisciplined soldiers. Back home in the Senate and within the Imperial family, petty squabbles and indignities were often resolved with scandalously drastic measures. This book could have been a dry recounting of history, but Claudius tells his story in a conversational, often humorous, tone. (What he writes about Caligula, in particular, is unbelievable but highly entertaining.) Another thing that strikes me as the mark of a great book: Even though Livia is a thoroughly despicable human being, I actually felt a little sad when she died. Not too many writers can achieve that kind of dichotomy in their characters.
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Summary: A classic of English literature....
Review: I've read a few of Graves books. Most certainly, he is an accomplished author; most certainly, this is his finest work. This is an old book on an old topic. He is writing on the early life of the Roman Emperor Claudius, a man whom, like most of Roman history, has been forgotten. Because of his talent as an author, the life of Claudius becomes important and something that the reader can identify with: through the intreigues, etc. that he lives through, one becomes forced to compare/contrast many of the intregues, etc. of the present day. Things become not so far off.... I read this book for the first time a few years ago when it was placed at something like #14 of the top English language books of the twentieth century: I'd never heard of it, and that seemed wrong. Setting aside a few instances where he plays improperly with history (Nero comes AFTER Claudius) this is a brillaintly written work that should be remembered as a magnum opus of the English language.
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Summary: Worth the investment of time
Review: I chose this novel (of my own free will) for school for one of my AP summer reading books. Sure, I could have chosen something easy and short, but I certainly have no regrets. It is about the corruption, decadence, avarice and power hungry people of Rome. The book has it's ups and downs where it is quick, exciting reading and others where it is quite slow, but it is overall quite good. I recommend this to anyone interested in Roman times and anyone with the patience to get through it. It is worthwhile and I've learned sooooo much from it. I couldn't put it down and would read it into the wee hours of the morning, even when I had to wake up at 6. Robert Graves does an excellent job creating sympathy for Claudius; how could anyone dislike Claudius after all the other coniving, devious characters? I can't wait to read the sequel, though I doubt I'll have time. It's funny because people say that the government is bad and corrupt and oppressive and unfair. People think there is a lot of crime and that there is no justice. I can't wait 'til they read this book. I guarantee their attitude would change! Boy, have we come a long way!
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Summary: Food for Thoughtful Reflection on Modern Politics
Review: The book was given to me by my sister, who's just secured her M.A. in art history. She raved about the book and I honestly was not interested in reading it. However, this season's Hollywood release of GLADIATOR motivated me into understanding the machinations of Roman Imperial life. I read the book in three sittings! Absolutely amazing; the clevely written anecdotes thunder through today's "not-so-advanced" society. The three mediums of film (GLADIATOR), TV and printed text collide into an zeitgeist epiphany: after reading this masterfully crafted tome, we may analyze the recent pop culture phenomenon, CBS' SURVIVOR, as "more of the same" in human nature. Humans adore intrigue, scheming and interpersonal conflict. Robert Graves' sequel, CLAUDIUS THE GOD, will likely be devoured with equal literary relish. This book would also serve as a colourful source for students of history, politics, psychology and anthropology.
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Summary: Masterful depiction of Roman politics
Review: Roman history, with its conquests, technical advancements, and impact on our modern world can be one of the most facinating subjects known to man. Roman politics, however, is usually one of the most boring. What Graves does with "I, Claudius" is present all the complex political intrigues of the early empire and make them not only bearable, but extremely involving. Told through the eyes of Tiberius Claudius, the intellectually gifted but physically deformed relation to a series of emperors, the book winds from the last half of Augustus' (the first emperor after Julius Caesar) reign through the notorious times of Caligula, all the while keeping the reader enthralled. The most remarkable thing about this book is simply that so much HAPPENS. Unlike most works of fiction, Graves' work does not busy itself with flowing descriptions of scenery, beautiful women, or romantic philosophy. Instead, the plot moves from event to event in a fast-paced but still rich combination of history and literary skill. Graves is able to strike an impressive balance between massive amounts of raw information (the history part) and uniquely adept storytelling prowess. Never have I read a book so full of historical fact and yet so utterly enjoyable. You need NO prior knowledge of Roman history to appreciate this novel. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Can I give this book 6 stars?
Review: An excellent narrative of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius, _I, Claudius_ captured my senses from its very first sentence. Murder, treachery, poisonings, loves-gone-wrong . . . all written in smart prose. Graves writes with a witty genius I find rare in writers. He has a remarkable talent and a comprehensive understanding of the classics. How does a stammering and seemingly-idiotic fool become Emperor of Rome? Easily - by chance. Or not so easily, as you'll read! This novel is unquestionably on my Top 10 list...
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Summary: I, Claudius a masterpiece for all times.
Review: I first got my hands on this book back in ninth grade when I was forced by my history teacher to read it and write about it for a book report. At first I thought it would be tedious and boring, but little did I know the magic and mystery it had to offer. I have reread I, Claudius approximately 5 times since and every time I get more out of it. As I age this book seems to season along with me. Robert Graves wrote a masterpiece when he put together the story of Claudius and also showed his readers that there is more than meets the eye. To this day after reading thousands of other works I can truly say this work by Robert Graves is my favorite book of all time.
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Summary: A Nightmare Soap Opera
Review: Through the eyes of misfit so marginalized that no one notices him noticing them, you see the nightmare that was Rome after Augustus and his family came to power. This book will either make you feel relieved that you didn't live through those days or frighten you into wondering whether they'll be reprised in your lifetime!
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Summary: Depravity of the Roman Empire
Review: Historical novel based in ancient Rome. It covers almost 100 years of tyranny by Ceaser Augustus and his predecessors. Claudius, grandson of Mark Antony and adopted son of Augustus, narates. Deformed by birth, Claudius is treated as a non-person by both his Grandmother and Mother. Claudius tells of the trials and tribulatrions of the Roman empire as it is ruled by three tyrants: Lydia, Claudius' grandmother and wife of Augustus, who rules unofficially; Tiberius, brother of Claudius' father, who is both paranoid and a sexual predator; and Caligula, son of Caudius' brother, who is deranged. All three will stop at nothing to amass and retain their wealth and power. Most of Claudius' family are evil and their treachery leads to the demise of all the good ones like Claudius' father and brother. Almost all of thefemale charcters are evil. Claudius,partially through his wits and intelligence but mostly beacuse other family members view him as slow and unimportant, survives everyone. You will both laugh and cry at the absurdities and tragedies of a power mad ruling class. Graves implies, without going into graphic detail, incestuous activities that must have created the genetic mental deformities that lead to the insanity and sexual perversion that seem to grow with each generation. I recommend anyone who enjoys a fast paced and historical novel to read 'I Claudius'. Keep a scorecard on whom is related to whom and how they are related beacuse it is very confusing.
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Summary: He Who Controls the Past Can Control The Future
Review: George Orwell's quote seem especially applicable here. Claudius became emperor of Rome at a time when the corruption of the patricians and government had been institutionalized as part of Roman life. The republic had been abolished, and while the forms of republican government were still in existence, Rome was clearly governed under an imperious and unchallenged tyranny. As the Romans became increasingly alienated from their government, those in government expanded their power and control over the people. While there are vast differeneces in culture and experience between modern Americans and ancient Romans, there are also surprising (and alarming) parallels between the politics governing the two entities. There is a sense that America is in a period of transition; the republic (Land of the Free, Home of the Brave) is being transformed into a command and control police state -- a global army, and the maintainers of a New Wold Order. The days of honorable and admirable presidents and statesmen (Washington, Lincoln, Franklin, etc.) are over, and instead we have corrupt politicians and families seeking to establish hereditary dynasties; in other words, the Republic is becoming an Empire. Decentalized republicanism is giving way to an autoritarian state; representative government is vanishing and being replaced by an administrative bureaucratic tyranny. I Claudius documents the events in ancient Rome from what might be called an "insider's" perspective. Claudius, who appears to have had a stuttering problem, was regarded as stupid by most people in the Roman aristocracy. However, he appears to be 'stupid like a fox'; outlasting and ultimately succeeding his rivals. Put into power by the Praetorian Guard, who murdered the despised Caligula, Claudius proved to be an able ruler who waged a successful military conquest in England (establishing his credibility as a leader among the Roman populace), and was able to keep the expanding power of the Praetorian Guard in check (unlike his predecessors -- Nero & Caligula -- who, despised by the Senate and hated by the people, used the Guard as a tool for domestic terror and control). Graves makes Roman History come alive here. While there is an unfortunate aversion to history among most people, this book reads like a great novel, and manages to captivate the attention of readers in a way that few history texts can. The real value in books like this is the insight they can give into the motives and personalities of those who seek, and those who wield, power. A few are wise and judicious in their exercise of great power, while most are not. If this account is accurate, Claudius appears to have been one of the few. Highly recommended reading
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