sujata's review
4.0
I liked this book a lot despite getting it free from Kindle First program and the potentially boring subject -- a fictional memoir of real life wife of Caesar Augustus! But totally awesome. Nice to read about someone other than Caesar. Antony and Augustus. Fascinating and quick read.
luciussestius's review against another edition
5.0
A completely different and believable Livia emerges in this beautifully written novel. Livia and her husband Augustus are complex and intriguing characters. Not a whiff of “I, Claudius” anywhere!
momwithareadingproblem's review against another edition
5.0
I knew this would be a good book when I started it and before the first chapter there was a list of key characters. Always a good sign :) This is historical fiction at its best. I personally have always been fascinated by ancient Rome and this particular story centers around Livia Drusilla, the wife of Augustus Caesar. I'm not sure what I expected when I started this book, but now that I have read it, all historical fiction after will be ranked according to this one.
I Am Livia by [a:Phyllis T. Smith|7267515|Phyllis T. Smith|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1381566705p2/7267515.jpg] is a memoir about the life and loves of Livia Drusilla. Told in first person POV, Livia at the ripe old age of 86 begins to tell the story of her life and how it began with her at the age of 14 overhearing her father planning the death of Julius Caesar. From there the story is captivating and moves quickly.
I really liked and loathed the other characters accordingly. Tiberius Nero, Livia's first husband who in today's standards was old enough to be her father when they wed, was an excellent character. He was kind, loving, and though Livia didn't return her feelings for him until near their divorce, he never questioned her loyalty for him. I really liked him but in a brotherly way. Tavius, or as we know him from the history books Augustus Caesar, had a charismatic personality and I was instantly drawn/attracted to him as Livia was. He held a certain charm and with his ease of words won the Roman people's hearts. It is no wonder that with Livia at his side, he was unstoppable.
The main focus of this story centered around the ten or so years following the death/assassination of Julius Caesar and the events that affected Livia's life and family. It's a wonderful portrayal of the Roman empire during it's heyday. Also a sweet, romantic story of finding love with the one person you are destined for. Livia says they were two pieces of a puzzle, only complete together. It was a beautiful story, told as a great Roman epic, with modern vernacular which helped with the ease of reading it.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this story. It was emotional to say the least and I most certainly cried several times with Livia. But I loved it! While reading, it reminded me of the old TV movies about ancient Rome, except for once the main character of this Roman tell was a woman, not a man. This story is the tell of the woman behind Caesar, and I for one truly enjoyed every word! If you like historical fictions with a touch of romance and a lot of suspense, you will enjoy this book!
I Am Livia by [a:Phyllis T. Smith|7267515|Phyllis T. Smith|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1381566705p2/7267515.jpg] is a memoir about the life and loves of Livia Drusilla. Told in first person POV, Livia at the ripe old age of 86 begins to tell the story of her life and how it began with her at the age of 14 overhearing her father planning the death of Julius Caesar. From there the story is captivating and moves quickly.
I wonder sometimes how I will be remembered. As mother of my country, as men call me to my face, or as a monster?At first, I wasn't sure if I would like Livia, but I fell in love with her. Well-educated and loyal to a fault, she follows her father like all daughters do. She does as he asks, entering a loveless marriage at 14 and even follows his ideals about a free Republic. However, she adapts to her situation and the situation of Rome, and begins to make her own choices. If you've ever heard the phrase "a man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck and can turn the head in whichever way she prefers", it depicts Livia perfectly. She excelled at this skill, letting her husbands and other men believe it was their choice, not her suggestion. Yet despite that, I could not hate her. The author wrote with such grace about the reasoning behind all of Livia's decisions that I could see myself making those same choices and mistakes as she did. Men like to say that women are ruled by emotions, but it's those emotions that dictate our actions and the author depicts this with Livia well.
I really liked and loathed the other characters accordingly. Tiberius Nero, Livia's first husband who in today's standards was old enough to be her father when they wed, was an excellent character. He was kind, loving, and though Livia didn't return her feelings for him until near their divorce, he never questioned her loyalty for him. I really liked him but in a brotherly way. Tavius, or as we know him from the history books Augustus Caesar, had a charismatic personality and I was instantly drawn/attracted to him as Livia was. He held a certain charm and with his ease of words won the Roman people's hearts. It is no wonder that with Livia at his side, he was unstoppable.
The main focus of this story centered around the ten or so years following the death/assassination of Julius Caesar and the events that affected Livia's life and family. It's a wonderful portrayal of the Roman empire during it's heyday. Also a sweet, romantic story of finding love with the one person you are destined for. Livia says they were two pieces of a puzzle, only complete together. It was a beautiful story, told as a great Roman epic, with modern vernacular which helped with the ease of reading it.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this story. It was emotional to say the least and I most certainly cried several times with Livia. But I loved it! While reading, it reminded me of the old TV movies about ancient Rome, except for once the main character of this Roman tell was a woman, not a man. This story is the tell of the woman behind Caesar, and I for one truly enjoyed every word! If you like historical fictions with a touch of romance and a lot of suspense, you will enjoy this book!
rpjtown's review against another edition
4.0
Phyllis Smith's novel about the life of Livia Drusilla gives us a kinder gentler Livia than other's.
Written from the perspective of an aged Livia the novel reviews her life from the assassination of Julius Caesar through to Augustus' victories over Mark Anthony. The story is an intensely personal account of these tumultuous times and is very well written.
I throughly enjoyed reading this and was left wanting to more when the novel ended.
Written from the perspective of an aged Livia the novel reviews her life from the assassination of Julius Caesar through to Augustus' victories over Mark Anthony. The story is an intensely personal account of these tumultuous times and is very well written.
I throughly enjoyed reading this and was left wanting to more when the novel ended.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
5.0
Received through Kindle First Reads.
This book was phenomenal. It was such a pleasure to read. I found it difficult to put down. I was immediately hooked on the storyline. On the whole it is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what made this book so great because it has so much going for it. But I think my favorite aspect was the retelling of history through Livia's eyes. I really like that Smith humanized Livia as a historical figure and showed her perspective on the situation. Smith also did a very nice job of having Livia's anger at the sexism that surrounded her evolve throughout her lifetime, creating the person that history is familiar with, a figure that sought power and went around the system to get it. Overall, this was truly an amazing read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book was phenomenal. It was such a pleasure to read. I found it difficult to put down. I was immediately hooked on the storyline. On the whole it is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what made this book so great because it has so much going for it. But I think my favorite aspect was the retelling of history through Livia's eyes. I really like that Smith humanized Livia as a historical figure and showed her perspective on the situation. Smith also did a very nice job of having Livia's anger at the sexism that surrounded her evolve throughout her lifetime, creating the person that history is familiar with, a figure that sought power and went around the system to get it. Overall, this was truly an amazing read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
betterthanhamlet's review against another edition
4.0
These characters lived and breathed. I especially liked that the author took a nontraditional angle on her personality. Good historical details and a compelling story. I wanted a series of sequels about Tiberius and the rest.
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
3.0
I have to be honest, I got really upset with this ebook because the professional narration I purchased only read through 60% of the book. So I pouted a bit and stopped reading it. However, I also did not feel overly compelled to keep reading either.
I've read other stories with Livia in them. She's typically been thought of as more of a villain character. I liked how this story explored different motivations for her. However, I think I would have gotten more out of this story if there had been more character development and less about the history of Rome. Yes, Livia was front and center of a lot of the action, but the character did not really change much throughout the story until the last few chapters. I also think it would have been interesting to see more comparisons between Livia and Cleopatra - another woman remembered poorly by history.
I think the book was fine. However, I never felt very connected to the character of Livia. I would have liked there to be a better balance between her role as a mom as well as and her role as a wife, particularly more scenes narrated when she was playing with her sons and Tavis' daughter.
I think the author does a good job of giving voice to a powerful woman who was remembered poorly by history -- such is the song of powerful women in ancient times. I think the author came to good conclusion about Livia's life and the choices she made. There was so much that happened in Livia's lifetime, and I wonder if the author is going to write a sequel to this one encompassing Livia's life after the sacking of Alexandria. The choice to end where the story did felt a bit awkward, probably because I know there is so much more that happens afterwards.
I've read other stories with Livia in them. She's typically been thought of as more of a villain character. I liked how this story explored different motivations for her. However, I think I would have gotten more out of this story if there had been more character development and less about the history of Rome. Yes, Livia was front and center of a lot of the action, but the character did not really change much throughout the story until the last few chapters. I also think it would have been interesting to see more comparisons between Livia and Cleopatra - another woman remembered poorly by history.
I think the book was fine. However, I never felt very connected to the character of Livia. I would have liked there to be a better balance between her role as a mom as well as and her role as a wife, particularly more scenes narrated when she was playing with her sons and Tavis' daughter.
I think the author does a good job of giving voice to a powerful woman who was remembered poorly by history -- such is the song of powerful women in ancient times. I think the author came to good conclusion about Livia's life and the choices she made. There was so much that happened in Livia's lifetime, and I wonder if the author is going to write a sequel to this one encompassing Livia's life after the sacking of Alexandria. The choice to end where the story did felt a bit awkward, probably because I know there is so much more that happens afterwards.
halkid2's review against another edition
2.0
As a lifelong fan of the BBC series I, Claudius, I have always thought of Livia (played by the incomparable Sian Phillips) as one of the most fascinating and complex women in history. I was very excited when I came across this book. But in this book Livia is just plain superficial. There's no great depth to her character, to her thinking, or to the dramatic story of the beginning of the Roman Empire. According to this novel she is NOT the deeply ambitious woman who poisons enough people to ensure her son becomes emperor. She's simply her husband's loving and chief helpmate. Even the dialog is dull and trite.
I much prefer the Livia of the Robert Graves books on which the series, I Claudius, was based. Now there's an intelligent woman who knew how to wield power.
Think of this book as a mildly interesting prequel if you want to know the story of Livia's early life and how she and Augustus met and married. As long as you don't really care that the book is not very well written,
I much prefer the Livia of the Robert Graves books on which the series, I Claudius, was based. Now there's an intelligent woman who knew how to wield power.
Think of this book as a mildly interesting prequel if you want to know the story of Livia's early life and how she and Augustus met and married. As long as you don't really care that the book is not very well written,
cg612's review against another edition
5.0
A new look
I have been biased against Augustus (and by extension, Livia) since reading Margaret George's "Memoirs of Cleopatra". Ms Smith's book goes a long way towards redeeming both characters AND "their" children.
I have been biased against Augustus (and by extension, Livia) since reading Margaret George's "Memoirs of Cleopatra". Ms Smith's book goes a long way towards redeeming both characters AND "their" children.
emiged's review against another edition
4.0
More than 15 years ago, I stood in the middle of the massive ruins of Circus Maximus, awed by the age of the stones, by the incontrovertible proof that people like me had lived and raced, cheered and entertained, and sometimes died there two thousand years ago. My semester abroad in Europe opened my eyes in many ways, but in particular I started to feel a connection with earlier, even ancient, generations. They seemed more real, more human, more three-dimensional than the shallow stereotypes I had gleaned from history textbooks.
In I Am Livia, Phyllis T. Smith has created a compelling titular character based on the most sympathetic interpretation possible from the scant historical record. Not saying it's inaccurate, necessarily, but it's clear that she admires Livia and wants her readers to do the same, and in large part she succeeds. As she mentions in her author's note at the end, "Livia has gotten bad press. Rumor has a way even now of attaching to women who break the conventional mold, and it certainly did in ancient Rome."
Livia is the eldest daughter of a well-to-do family of Roman citizens. She is married off at a young age to Tiberius Nero, one of her father's colleagues, in an effort to strengthen their bonds during a suspicious period of political intrigue and conspiracies. Despite a strong grasp on politics, almost a prescience, her opinions and input are routinely ignored and she has a devastating glimpse into her future. "I saw my fate. I would not be fifteen forever, but I always would be a woman. I imagine spending all my years having my words discounted."...
To read the rest of this review, visit .
In I Am Livia, Phyllis T. Smith has created a compelling titular character based on the most sympathetic interpretation possible from the scant historical record. Not saying it's inaccurate, necessarily, but it's clear that she admires Livia and wants her readers to do the same, and in large part she succeeds. As she mentions in her author's note at the end, "Livia has gotten bad press. Rumor has a way even now of attaching to women who break the conventional mold, and it certainly did in ancient Rome."
Livia is the eldest daughter of a well-to-do family of Roman citizens. She is married off at a young age to Tiberius Nero, one of her father's colleagues, in an effort to strengthen their bonds during a suspicious period of political intrigue and conspiracies. Despite a strong grasp on politics, almost a prescience, her opinions and input are routinely ignored and she has a devastating glimpse into her future. "I saw my fate. I would not be fifteen forever, but I always would be a woman. I imagine spending all my years having my words discounted."...
To read the rest of this review, visit .