Rating: 
Summary: The finest historical novel since I Claudius
Review: Vidal's life of Julian, the "Apostate" emperor who sought to restore Paganism to Rome, is zesty and colorful. The violent and hypocritical imperial court is presented with gusto through actual documents and letters, enlivened and embellished by the author. Julian, a philosopher and idealist, is a compelling hero and a convenient eyewitnessto the decline of classical civilization. In the spirit ofRobert Graves' Claudius novels, Julian offers the reader access to a lost world of intrigue, greed, power and lust. This is a must-read for anyone remotely interested in Roman history.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Historical Narrative
Review: Vidal's novel is on the ascension and fall of Julian the Apostate, Constantine the Great's nephew and emperor of Rome: the last pagan emperor. A unique and powerful historical narrative depicting the clash of paganism in its decline vs. the nascent christian religion that would inevitably change the world we live in.The triple narrative technique is brilliantly executed in allowing the expression of several historical norms and points of view that are not always in agreement. In the story, Julian's pseudo memoirs are interspersed with correspondence and commentaries by two of his acquaintances: a philosopher and a rethorician. The philosopher tends to follow Neo-platonic pagan thoughts while the sophist seems more agnostic. The ascension of Christian values are objectively accounted for but are inevitably mentioned with a strong air of cynicism. Julian is shown as a true leader who chose to stand against the hippocricy of christian thought by embracing the glorious yet fading pagan past. Nevertheless, this narrative structure gives the novel a strong sense of impartiality and legitimacy: particularly since the commentators lament and concede the fact that paganism and traditional platonic philosophy are inevitably becoming extinct modes of thought throughout the book. Not only does the narrative allow a strong character development, the reader is also drawn and plunged into the religious turmoil of the day. With this context well established and explored by Vidal, Julian's actions and attitudes are better understood by the reader. As with "I Claudius" by Robert Graves, the book is primarily a social and political analysis of the period with strong character development as its medium. This results in the book having only summary reviews of Julian's military exploits. Altogether a brilliant work as worthy of praise as Grave's "I Claudius." This one of Vidal's best historical novels and is worth reading. Again, for those who are primarily interested in historical novels for battles or campaigns, this may not be their cup of tea: for such readers I would recommend Stephen Pressfield's novels or other similar writers.
| 
