Scan barcode
bookscatsandjazz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
smithmick14's review against another edition
So much more enthralling than I thought it would be. Would highly recommend reading with a family tree image pulled up but understanding the dynamics of the Julian family and Claudius' unique place within it was a blast.
fiddler76's review against another edition
5.0
Westeros and the barbaric lands of The Game of Thrones series are nothing on Ancient Rome! This book does not have more than maybe 5 significant characters who are 'good', in a cast that's fairly huge. And you know how things go for the good characters!
This is a no-frills historical recounting of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula, pretty much a case of going from bad to a lot worse. Very enjoyable, though i am not sure that's the right word.
This is a no-frills historical recounting of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula, pretty much a case of going from bad to a lot worse. Very enjoyable, though i am not sure that's the right word.
samble's review against another edition
3.75
having read graves’ translation of suetonius prior, this almost feels like reading it again. certainly not a bad thing, but for a book proclaiming to be the fictionalised autobiography of claudius, it certainly didn’t focus on him for most of it. i felt this a shame, as a decent majority of those parts where claudius was the main focus were some of the best parts of the book. that aside, credit to graves where it is due as this book read like an ancient source, with a modern flair (though graves’ biases, alterations and interpretations were sometimes more noticeable than desired).
also, minor gripe as a classics student, but livia is done absolutely no justice by graves (nor by most roman historians). her portrayal, while necessary for the fictional plot, was not as historical as i would have liked
also, minor gripe as a classics student, but livia is done absolutely no justice by graves (nor by most roman historians). her portrayal, while necessary for the fictional plot, was not as historical as i would have liked
deegee24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
neartaking's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heyincendiary's review against another edition
5.0
About as good as historical fiction gets. Out of Claudius, the third formal emperor of Rome, who grew up being thought mentally deficient by his ambitious family until he outlived them all, Graves tells the story of the development and corruption of the early Empire by the selfish, conniving, lustful as Claudius comments wryly on their misdeeds. Like another masterpiece of historical fiction - Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall (planned) trilogy - it takes the murders and adulteries of long-ago royalty, which should be able to quicken the pulse and so rarely do, and injects some life and wit into them.
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
4.0
A truly excellent story, taking somewhat bold liberties with history I expect, but still an enjoyable read!