bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
5.0
Roman history has always fascinated me, so naturally I was drawn to Grave's rendition of Claudius' life. This is superby written and as enthralling as any plot driven soap opera, but with even more intrigue and drama. Claudius was Augustus' grandson, and born during a time when court politics and poisonings were the order of the day. Because of his physical shortcomings, Claudius was considered an idiot and a disappointment to his family. Yet, these perceived infirmities are precisely what helped Claudius survive during that most tumultuous time. In reality, Claudius was an intelligent man with a passion for history and an uncanny ability to keep himself out of enemy eyes. He recounts his life and the dramas surrounding Augustus', his uncle Tiberius' and his nephew Caligula's reigns. After Caligula's assassination, Claudius is crowned emperor and the story ends. This was an easy to read novel, loaded with Roman history and an absolute page-turner. Recommended read for history buffs and lovers of good drama.
smbla's review against another edition
4.0
While avoiding Gibbon’s History of the Roman Empire (a task I will complete at some point) I picked up Robert Graves historical fiction novel- I, Claudius. Published in the 1930’s I, Claudius tells the story of the Julio-Claudian dynasty from the death of Caesar to the crowning of Claudius after Caligula’s assassination. The books is in memoir format- Claudius is a lively narrator and would be “true “historian hoping that if he hides his memoirs they will be recovered in a century when it is safe tell the actual history.
Because Claudius is born with a limp and stutter he is able to be an unseen chronicler and avoid the “power” maelstrom becoming the last man standing. Intrigue, jealousy, divorce, murder, filicide and rape are just some of the acts committed by the monarchy in Rome during the period. All of the major roman players are center stage, Augustus, Livia, Tiberius, Germanicus, Agrippa, Julia and Caligula with such notable minor players as Livy. Claudius memoirs take the reader from Rome to the provinces-Egypt, Syria and Germany. You meet Caligula (little boots) as a young boy much loved by his parents and the Roman army, see Tiberius in love and witness the precarious tightrope between the Senate and the Roman’s distaste for an inherited monarchy.
Graves conversational writing style makes this a fun read and after completing I, Claudius I am tempted to pick up the sequel Claudius the God.
Because Claudius is born with a limp and stutter he is able to be an unseen chronicler and avoid the “power” maelstrom becoming the last man standing. Intrigue, jealousy, divorce, murder, filicide and rape are just some of the acts committed by the monarchy in Rome during the period. All of the major roman players are center stage, Augustus, Livia, Tiberius, Germanicus, Agrippa, Julia and Caligula with such notable minor players as Livy. Claudius memoirs take the reader from Rome to the provinces-Egypt, Syria and Germany. You meet Caligula (little boots) as a young boy much loved by his parents and the Roman army, see Tiberius in love and witness the precarious tightrope between the Senate and the Roman’s distaste for an inherited monarchy.
Graves conversational writing style makes this a fun read and after completing I, Claudius I am tempted to pick up the sequel Claudius the God.
imclaugh's review against another edition
5.0
Reading *I, Claudius* is a little bit like watching A Series of Unfortunate Events. You'll be introduced to a host of fascinating characters; but the better-intentioned they are, the surer you may be that they'll end up decapitated, stabbed, or starved to death, convicted perhaps of debauchery, often of treason, and sometimes blasphemy against the Emperor.
The truly compelling feature of this book, unlike other dramas set in Ancient Rome, is its historical grounding (although much is of course speculation, influenced by the biases of senatorial historiography). I'm sure Graves did an enormous amount of research before writing. More than that even, he manages to "get into character" as Claudius. By the end, you'll be thoroughly convinced that you know the man as a friend--and not at all surprised to see that his first thought on becoming emperor
I took my time getting through it. In spite of the nearly non-stop action and intrigue (there are a few lulls), this is not a thriller, nor is it a potboiler. Read it if you have a particular interest in imperial Rome or if you want to immerse yourself in a rich and sprawling, yet intimate, family drama. If you're in the mood for a lighter read, there are other books that can teach you that that life under the Romans wasn't all Horace and Virgil.
The truly compelling feature of this book, unlike other dramas set in Ancient Rome, is its historical grounding (although much is of course speculation, influenced by the biases of senatorial historiography). I'm sure Graves did an enormous amount of research before writing. More than that even, he manages to "get into character" as Claudius. By the end, you'll be thoroughly convinced that you know the man as a friend--and not at all surprised to see that his first thought on becoming emperor
Spoiler
was of all the historical secrets he would get to read in the secret archives!I took my time getting through it. In spite of the nearly non-stop action and intrigue (there are a few lulls), this is not a thriller, nor is it a potboiler. Read it if you have a particular interest in imperial Rome or if you want to immerse yourself in a rich and sprawling, yet intimate, family drama. If you're in the mood for a lighter read, there are other books that can teach you that that life under the Romans wasn't all Horace and Virgil.
tab2004's review against another edition
5.0
I first came to read Robert Graves through my research on Greek mythology. I throughly enjoyed his interpretation of various Greek myths and the trouble he went to, to explain them to an uneducated audience.
I actually rented the BBC miniseries of I, Claudius first, and enjoyed it so much I read the book which is even better.(As an aside Derek Jacobi is just fantastic as Claudius). Graves weaves an enjoyable tale that is part historical fact, fiction, and soapopera. All and all it is impossible to put down. I don't think I've ever encountered a more evil villian than Graves' Livia. Almost all of the characters in the book are dreadful; even to some extent Claudius and his pathetic love for Messalina. Yet somehow through Graves' skillful words they still drew me in. I wish all writers of historical fiction could be as entertaining as Graves. I also wish he had written more historical fiction. My dream would be for him to have written a historical account of the Trojan war, but alas we don't always get what we want.
I actually rented the BBC miniseries of I, Claudius first, and enjoyed it so much I read the book which is even better.(As an aside Derek Jacobi is just fantastic as Claudius). Graves weaves an enjoyable tale that is part historical fact, fiction, and soapopera. All and all it is impossible to put down. I don't think I've ever encountered a more evil villian than Graves' Livia. Almost all of the characters in the book are dreadful; even to some extent Claudius and his pathetic love for Messalina. Yet somehow through Graves' skillful words they still drew me in. I wish all writers of historical fiction could be as entertaining as Graves. I also wish he had written more historical fiction. My dream would be for him to have written a historical account of the Trojan war, but alas we don't always get what we want.
_millicent's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mmazelli's review against another edition
1.0
“I, Claudius” was recommended to me by a respectable source and I have generally heard positive reviews of it. It was hard to follow the author’s rambling account of the early years of Imperial Rome. Readers would be better served to stick to the ancient historians who are as equally salacious and fanciful as Graves (whom I realize are his principle sources for this writing). Perhaps it would have been better to read this book than listen to it?
_pickle_'s review against another edition
3.0
I finally finished this book; it was a little denser and slower in pace (and so many names) then would have allowed me to finish it sooner. Nonetheless it was an interesting well written and diverting novel.
shawnwhy's review against another edition
5.0
quite witty and has some very good detailed observations about people and power. quite nightmarish at times, but all told in the tone of a subjective Historian
habeasopus's review against another edition
5.0
A Classic novel in more than one sense. (You see it's set in Classical antiquity and the novel itself has come to be regarded as a "classic." :-) Who knew that court intrigue from centuries ago could sound so ... modern. The man who passes himself off as an idiot in order to be seen as non-threatening to the ruling elite...the endless plotting and intrigue...the naked ambition. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. Altogether, a thoroughly enjoyable and surprisingly approachable novel.