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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.
akeesa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hli's review against another edition
3.0
Although I didn't get deeply engrossed into this one, historically it was a insightful read. It makes me want to dig deeper into the life of Livia and gain more understanding of her from the perspectives of those around her.
I'd have given this one 3 1/2.
I'd have given this one 3 1/2.
beepiary's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't been so sucked into a book in a long while. I received this book free from Amazon Firsts, and I've lost the entire day to it! I am a student of Roman art and culture and history, so this was a natural fit for me. I Am Livia tells the story of Caesar Octavianus from the point of view of his wife, Livia, in the form of a personal memoir. It was lovey to read, very well written, and faithful to what we know of that era (to the best of my knowledge). It was refreshing to read of a Roman woman as a rounded character, rather than a caricature deified or vilified by historians.
I really, really enjoyed this book. Bravo to the author; I will be looking for more works from her!
I really, really enjoyed this book. Bravo to the author; I will be looking for more works from her!
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
4.0
Very cool book about the ancient Roman Empire, rise of Caesar (Tavius - Julius Caesar's nephew), and Livia, his incredibly bold and powerful wife.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable and thought-provoking account of the power behind the Roman throne
Livia, whom I only know from the book and TV series I Claudius, is here given her own voice and chance to influence her own lasting image by telling her own story - from the adolescent given in marriage to an older Roman to eventual wife of the Emperor, mother and powerful entity in the world of Rome in its heyday.
Known through Robert Graves work as a potential poisoner and power-hungry matriarch, here she is just a girl, a young woman, forced to grow up quickly and assume a role in order to protect herself and those she cares about.
Speaking to us in the first person, real history is blended with a fictionalised account of her falling in love, her children, the maladies and trials she goes through, and how she and the love of her life maintain their positions in a time of flux, of savage backstabbing (literally) and jockeying for favour and power.
Her voice is gauche (and nicely narrated on the audiobook to be smart yet still humble), she grows through the book gently from unaware child to protective mother and wife. I enjoyed the look at behind-the-scenes First Citizen lives, and the history included that gives glimpses into the trials and tribulations of life back then.
I wanted the book to take Livia's story further really, to describe her later years in more detail, it only takes us to a very early part in her long life. The author makes it clear enough that she sees Livia as unfairly represented in many accounts of her, though her own version leaves room for different interpretations of her actions and character.
I am not overly familiar with either Livia herself or Roman history, but this book made me curious to examine both further.
An enjoyable account of a real and important female figure in history, worth a read.
Livia, whom I only know from the book and TV series I Claudius, is here given her own voice and chance to influence her own lasting image by telling her own story - from the adolescent given in marriage to an older Roman to eventual wife of the Emperor, mother and powerful entity in the world of Rome in its heyday.
Known through Robert Graves work as a potential poisoner and power-hungry matriarch, here she is just a girl, a young woman, forced to grow up quickly and assume a role in order to protect herself and those she cares about.
Speaking to us in the first person, real history is blended with a fictionalised account of her falling in love, her children, the maladies and trials she goes through, and how she and the love of her life maintain their positions in a time of flux, of savage backstabbing (literally) and jockeying for favour and power.
Her voice is gauche (and nicely narrated on the audiobook to be smart yet still humble), she grows through the book gently from unaware child to protective mother and wife. I enjoyed the look at behind-the-scenes First Citizen lives, and the history included that gives glimpses into the trials and tribulations of life back then.
I wanted the book to take Livia's story further really, to describe her later years in more detail, it only takes us to a very early part in her long life. The author makes it clear enough that she sees Livia as unfairly represented in many accounts of her, though her own version leaves room for different interpretations of her actions and character.
I am not overly familiar with either Livia herself or Roman history, but this book made me curious to examine both further.
An enjoyable account of a real and important female figure in history, worth a read.
rayarriz's review against another edition
4.0
In simple English, Phyllis Smith tells the story of Rome's most powerful woman. (Undoubtedly the most powerful woman of all times in ancient Rome, besides Cornelia Gracchi or Agrippina the Younger. )
It's historically accurate, and although I already knew the whole story of the Roman Republic's demise, I hung on until the end. Livia has been portrayed in different ways, usually as ruthless and tyrannical.
What her true motives were, we'll never know. Smith chooses to depict her as a woman who cares solely for the good of Rome, and Octavianus' welfare. She does not grasp for power, but she knows that power enables her to accomplish the things needed to be done. In short, Livia is a patriot. As predicted, she is the mother of great sons, Tiberius, who later becomes emperor, and Drusus, an outstanding general.
It was rumored she poisoned Augustus; Smith potrays a woman deeply in love with her husband, not at all ready to dispose him to place her son on the throne. Because much of the book focuses on the relationship between Livia and Augustus, I would say it is a more of an historical romance rather than simply historical fiction. Overall, pretty good story.
It's historically accurate, and although I already knew the whole story of the Roman Republic's demise, I hung on until the end. Livia has been portrayed in different ways, usually as ruthless and tyrannical.
What her true motives were, we'll never know. Smith chooses to depict her as a woman who cares solely for the good of Rome, and Octavianus' welfare. She does not grasp for power, but she knows that power enables her to accomplish the things needed to be done. In short, Livia is a patriot. As predicted, she is the mother of great sons, Tiberius, who later becomes emperor, and Drusus, an outstanding general.
It was rumored she poisoned Augustus; Smith potrays a woman deeply in love with her husband, not at all ready to dispose him to place her son on the throne. Because much of the book focuses on the relationship between Livia and Augustus, I would say it is a more of an historical romance rather than simply historical fiction. Overall, pretty good story.
cazxxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.25
juliardye's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Interesting tale but was a bit slow in places. Livia was a bit unlikable too which made reading a challenge at times. I liked the author's notes at the end outlining some of the facts she used in her fictional account.