You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this. Yourcenar does an amazing job making you believe that you are reading the actual memoirs of this incredible historical figure. I knew very little about his life (or much about this era really) going into it. There are times when the book feels bogged down in administrative details about the running of the state that I found less interesting, but in other sections you get beautiful philosophical musings about the nature of life, love, and governance that I really appreciated.
emotional
reflective
"From time to time, in an encounter or an omen, or in a particular series of happenings, I think that I recognize the working of fate, but too many paths lead nowhere at all, and too many sums add up to nothing. To be sure, I perceive in this diversity and disorder the presence of a person; but his form seems nearly always to be shaped by the pressure of circumstances; his features are blurred, like a face reflected in water. I am not of those who say that their actions bear no resemblance to them. Indeed, actions must do so, since they alone give my measure, and are the sole means of engraving me upon the memory of men, or even upon my own memory (and since perhaps the very possibility of continuing to express and modify oneself by action may constitute the real difference between the state of the living and of the dead). But there is between me and these acts which compose me an indefinable hiatus, and the proof of this separation is that I feel constantly the necessity of weighing and explaining what I do, and of giving account of it to myself."
Written as a deathbed letter to Marcus Aurelius, “Memoirs of Hadrian” is a poetic and elegiac novel about the life of one of Rome’s “Five Good Emperors”. More interested in the cultural flourishing of his Empire than in adding to it, Hadrian’s life is mostly spent in travels, in exploration and while some armed conflict did mark his reign, it is not what he is remembered for. History knows him more as a philosopher, a moderate ruler who tried his best to preserve peace and who wanted nothing more than to leave an ordered realm to his successor.
Yourcenar focuses mostly on his inner thoughts, and the book can be a bit confusing if one doesn’t have much background information on the history of Hadrian’s reign to put those thoughts in context, and I had to look up things on Wikipedia a few times, as I was more familiar with the history of the Republic and the early years of the Empire than with the middle period. What is striking in her interpretation of Hadrian is his deeply rooted understanding of the temporary state of his Empire, but also of the world. He knew Rome would one day end, just as it had one day began, and chose to focus on using his time as ruler to make it as good as he could.
Having read John Williams’ “Augustus” just not long ago (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1908237482), I was unable to avoid comparing the two works, and I confess a preference for Williams’ work. As beautiful as Yourcenar’s prose is, an as detailed as her story may be, I did not feel as transported by it as I had been by the polyphonic novel about the first Emperor. The period, however, is very interesting, as it is sort of an in-between: the Mystery cults are slowly dying, and while Christianity is gaining momentum, it is still a fringe religion, barely a century old, so there is a sort of spiritual void in Hadrian’s world, which he seeks to fill with poetry, hunting and visiting and restoring as many of the old temples as he can. Yourcenar also chose to focus on a few more nebulous aspects of Hadrian’s life, such as his relationship with Antinous, instead of focusing on the more famous historical events, such as the building on the Wall, which is an interesting exercise in historical speculation, but which I found just a little bit frustrating, as I craved more details about known events – whilst knowing that this was not her goal at all. I think I was craving a bit more emotion, and besides the passages about Antinous’ death, Hadrian as written by Yourcenar is almost always even tempered, which makes for a very interesting story, but not one that gripped me.
That aside, I can’t praise the gorgeous writing enough: the prose is rich and delectable, like a good caramel. As Candi’s review points out so well, it is a book to be savored slowly. And really, when you think about it, it’s the right way to read a man’s reflections on his life, without rushing, noting the flaws but letting them be gently washed over by the flow of words. Bittersweet, philosophical and lush – I will be reading this one again.
Yourcenar focuses mostly on his inner thoughts, and the book can be a bit confusing if one doesn’t have much background information on the history of Hadrian’s reign to put those thoughts in context, and I had to look up things on Wikipedia a few times, as I was more familiar with the history of the Republic and the early years of the Empire than with the middle period. What is striking in her interpretation of Hadrian is his deeply rooted understanding of the temporary state of his Empire, but also of the world. He knew Rome would one day end, just as it had one day began, and chose to focus on using his time as ruler to make it as good as he could.
Having read John Williams’ “Augustus” just not long ago (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1908237482), I was unable to avoid comparing the two works, and I confess a preference for Williams’ work. As beautiful as Yourcenar’s prose is, an as detailed as her story may be, I did not feel as transported by it as I had been by the polyphonic novel about the first Emperor. The period, however, is very interesting, as it is sort of an in-between: the Mystery cults are slowly dying, and while Christianity is gaining momentum, it is still a fringe religion, barely a century old, so there is a sort of spiritual void in Hadrian’s world, which he seeks to fill with poetry, hunting and visiting and restoring as many of the old temples as he can. Yourcenar also chose to focus on a few more nebulous aspects of Hadrian’s life, such as his relationship with Antinous, instead of focusing on the more famous historical events, such as the building on the Wall, which is an interesting exercise in historical speculation, but which I found just a little bit frustrating, as I craved more details about known events – whilst knowing that this was not her goal at all. I think I was craving a bit more emotion, and besides the passages about Antinous’ death, Hadrian as written by Yourcenar is almost always even tempered, which makes for a very interesting story, but not one that gripped me.
That aside, I can’t praise the gorgeous writing enough: the prose is rich and delectable, like a good caramel. As Candi’s review points out so well, it is a book to be savored slowly. And really, when you think about it, it’s the right way to read a man’s reflections on his life, without rushing, noting the flaws but letting them be gently washed over by the flow of words. Bittersweet, philosophical and lush – I will be reading this one again.
non sei por que me gustou tanto hai un ano ou porque me aburriu tanto agora. igual foi a segunda lectura ou que o ano pasado tardara meses en lelo e non se me fixo tan pesado ler tanta batalla seguida.
de ser por esta lectura poñeríalle menos estrelas pero fago media.
de ser por esta lectura poñeríalle menos estrelas pero fago media.
“I hoped to discover the hinge where our wil meets and moves with destiny, and where discipline strengthens, instead of restraining."
A special experience. What a beautifully rendered inner life of a human in such a unique position in history. Both so singular and universal at once. More than once did it spark my own reflections and considerations of the course of my own life.
This book demands a certain consistency of reading, at least it did for me, which I did not give it, and therefore will seek an opportunity to reread it sooner than I normally would.
This book demands a certain consistency of reading, at least it did for me, which I did not give it, and therefore will seek an opportunity to reread it sooner than I normally would.
Uma leitura histórica de um livro histórico sobre um personagem da nossa História. Adriano, o imperador de Roma que estabeleceu a paz e escolheu como sucessor o único imperador filósofo de Roma, Marco Aurélio. O livro assume um caráter confessional emulativo, com Yourcenar a investir 25 anos da sua vida para conseguir sentir-se na pele do imperador do século II, e assim dar-nos a experienciar a hipotética última carta de Adriano, já doente, para Marco Aurélio que o iria suceder. Uma viagem no tempo, por meio de uma escrita perfeita e intensa, carregada de poética e com muito para nos ensinar.
O livro é de 1951, foi um enorme sucesso e já foi amplamente dissecado, ainda assim talvez o melhor que se possa ler sobre esta obra sejam as notas finais que Yourcenar coloca no fim do livro, para compreendermos a aventura e a vida necessária para chegar ao termo desta obra. Se aprendemos a respeitar Adriano ao longo do curto livro, não menos respeitaremos Yourcenar por tudo o que passou para nos colocar estas páginas nas mãos
E isto leva-me ao que senti ao longo de todo o livro. Porque se adorei e recomendo vivamente, não posso deixar de dizer que é obrigatório ler, antes ou depois, “Meditações” (180) de Marco Aurélio. Se adoraram Adriano, nem sabem o que perdem para amar Marco Aurélio. Para mim que o li primeiro, consegui sentir Yourcenar a bater no tom perfeito do livro, a proximidade do discurso, da melancolia, do distanciamento no tempo, está tudo lá, mas não está. Ler as palavras, ditas, escritas, pensadas por Marco Aurélio é capaz de por vezes nos arrepiar. Como se fossemos colocados num modo telepático com o imperador de há 2000 anos.
Não conheço suficientemente História para saber o que cada um destes homens fez para além do que vem nestes dois livros, mas pensava ao ler o livro de Yourcenar, que o facto de ter sido escrito por alguém que vê de fora, talvez faça com que os escritos sejam mais balanceados. Adriano foi um grande imperador, mas era uma pessoa também cheia de defeitos e coisas mesquinhas, muitas delas fruto do tempo e posição que ocupou. Já em “Meditações” é tudo tão perfeito, quase sonho, e apesar de Marco Aurélio ter sido um verdadeiro filósofo, talvez nos seja dado a ver apenas uma parte da sua pessoa, ainda que ele tenha escrito tudo aquilo sem qualquer intenção de se publicar.
Adriano fica para mim como um imperador de enorme dignidade e visão. Duas histórias marcaram a minha leitura: Antínoo e Judeia. Adriano não teve filhos, apesar de casado o grande amor da sua vida foi um jovem rapaz de 20 anos, Antínoo, que deu a vida pelo seu imperador, e a quem este dedicou uma cidade inteira. Muitas histórias existem à volta deste personagem da nossa História, uma dessas foi contada por Fernando Pessoa num extenso poema que lhe dedicou em inglês, "Antinous: A Poem" (1915). Quanto à Judeia, é no mínimo estranho que Adriano tenha ficado ao mesmo tempo como o imperador da Paz e aquele que criou a Palestina.
Ainda assim e comparando mais uma vez ambos os livros, prefiro “Meditações” pelo facto de serem memórias de pura reflexão sobre o ato de viver, dos porquês desta vida, enquanto “Memórias de Adriano” é mais relato do que se viveu, dos como se vivia e poderia viver, mas o melhor sem dúvida surge em tudo aquilo em que ambos se complementam.
Publicado, com imagens, em Virtual Illusion
(https://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/2017/07/memorias-de-adriano-1951.html)
O livro é de 1951, foi um enorme sucesso e já foi amplamente dissecado, ainda assim talvez o melhor que se possa ler sobre esta obra sejam as notas finais que Yourcenar coloca no fim do livro, para compreendermos a aventura e a vida necessária para chegar ao termo desta obra. Se aprendemos a respeitar Adriano ao longo do curto livro, não menos respeitaremos Yourcenar por tudo o que passou para nos colocar estas páginas nas mãos
E isto leva-me ao que senti ao longo de todo o livro. Porque se adorei e recomendo vivamente, não posso deixar de dizer que é obrigatório ler, antes ou depois, “Meditações” (180) de Marco Aurélio. Se adoraram Adriano, nem sabem o que perdem para amar Marco Aurélio. Para mim que o li primeiro, consegui sentir Yourcenar a bater no tom perfeito do livro, a proximidade do discurso, da melancolia, do distanciamento no tempo, está tudo lá, mas não está. Ler as palavras, ditas, escritas, pensadas por Marco Aurélio é capaz de por vezes nos arrepiar. Como se fossemos colocados num modo telepático com o imperador de há 2000 anos.
Não conheço suficientemente História para saber o que cada um destes homens fez para além do que vem nestes dois livros, mas pensava ao ler o livro de Yourcenar, que o facto de ter sido escrito por alguém que vê de fora, talvez faça com que os escritos sejam mais balanceados. Adriano foi um grande imperador, mas era uma pessoa também cheia de defeitos e coisas mesquinhas, muitas delas fruto do tempo e posição que ocupou. Já em “Meditações” é tudo tão perfeito, quase sonho, e apesar de Marco Aurélio ter sido um verdadeiro filósofo, talvez nos seja dado a ver apenas uma parte da sua pessoa, ainda que ele tenha escrito tudo aquilo sem qualquer intenção de se publicar.
Adriano fica para mim como um imperador de enorme dignidade e visão. Duas histórias marcaram a minha leitura: Antínoo e Judeia. Adriano não teve filhos, apesar de casado o grande amor da sua vida foi um jovem rapaz de 20 anos, Antínoo, que deu a vida pelo seu imperador, e a quem este dedicou uma cidade inteira. Muitas histórias existem à volta deste personagem da nossa História, uma dessas foi contada por Fernando Pessoa num extenso poema que lhe dedicou em inglês, "Antinous: A Poem" (1915). Quanto à Judeia, é no mínimo estranho que Adriano tenha ficado ao mesmo tempo como o imperador da Paz e aquele que criou a Palestina.
Ainda assim e comparando mais uma vez ambos os livros, prefiro “Meditações” pelo facto de serem memórias de pura reflexão sobre o ato de viver, dos porquês desta vida, enquanto “Memórias de Adriano” é mais relato do que se viveu, dos como se vivia e poderia viver, mas o melhor sem dúvida surge em tudo aquilo em que ambos se complementam.
Publicado, com imagens, em Virtual Illusion
(https://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/2017/07/memorias-de-adriano-1951.html)
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
DNF @pg. 30
I like the concept and I think there were some parts that were good, but I just can't get behind the writing style. I understand it's keeping in line with the time period the author is drawing from, I just find it so dry and boring. Most definitely not for me.
I like the concept and I think there were some parts that were good, but I just can't get behind the writing style. I understand it's keeping in line with the time period the author is drawing from, I just find it so dry and boring. Most definitely not for me.