Reviews

Augustus by John Williams

marxmane's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

emily_mad's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

m_a_j's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, and Suicide

Minor: Slavery, War, and Colonisation

kimschebler's review against another edition

4.0

This book is outside of what I generally read, but I loved Stoner so I wanted to read this because it was rated so highly on GoodReads. I found that it dragged slightly during the first half of the novel, but I really enjoyed the second half of the book. Even when the pacing felt slow to me I was still able to appreciate how much time and creativity went into this novel—it's an impressive work.

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

2.0

I’ll admit this low star review is probably my fault. I went into this book thinking it was Graves’s sequel to I, Claudius only to realize it’s not a sequel nor was it even written by Graves. Rather it’s a National Book Award winner by Williams. And it wasn’t my favorite. Graves’s book was much more entertaining and a better read.

vidgottmod's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

slow_reader_'s review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

hkilmartin's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-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

4.25

8797999's review against another edition

5.0

A masterpiece.

The word is overused but it very apt for this work by John Williams, an author who until now has been on my rador but I have never got around to. I am glad to have finally enjoyed one of his works and got the enjoyment of experiencing something so good for the first time. I know that it will be a book I will return to several times.

Such beautiful writing and different to most books in the plot being carried via letters explaining the life of Gaius Octavian latterly named Augustus Caesar (Emperor Augustus). It was nice to see the different viewpoints of people surrounding the Emperor, albeit their words as fiction.

I have had Butchers Crossing on my bok shelf for a few years and been put off reading it for some reason but I think it has been raised up the pecking order and I can't wait to enjoy it. I do believe I may have discovered a new favourite author.

ashwin610's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75