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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Just not very interesting, I mean she writes very well but nothing really happens
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
reflective
medium-paced
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First read 09/2022, reread 06/2024
Tempting to name this as the high water mark of historical fiction, but I don't read enough of the stuff to say that without making a fool of myself.
In exquisite prose, Yourcenar seems to enjoy unrestricted access to the Hadrian of the Second Century: his triumphs and defeats, his loves and his losses, his grief and impending death.
What praise can I offer that has not already been given?
Tempting to name this as the high water mark of historical fiction, but I don't read enough of the stuff to say that without making a fool of myself.
In exquisite prose, Yourcenar seems to enjoy unrestricted access to the Hadrian of the Second Century: his triumphs and defeats, his loves and his losses, his grief and impending death.
What praise can I offer that has not already been given?
Leer a Yourcenar siempre es un deleite. Volver a las páginas de Memorias de Adriano es descubrir la pasión que por años llevó a esa mujer belga en pos de un emperador muerto dos milenios atrás. Tanta pasión, tanto amor que logró hacerse de su voz y darnos esta maravillosa obra, compendio de la vida de ese singular ser que fue Publio Elio Adriano y de cómo sintió, vivió y amó. Pocos escritores logran con tal precisión dotar de vida a sus creaciones como la Yourcenar hizo con Adriano. No puedo pensar a ese emperador si no es a través del lente prodigioso que es la pluma de Marguerite. Termino de leer la novela y ya deseo reemprender su lectura.
Increíble obra de Marguerite, te hace creer que estás leyendo al mismísimo Adriano. Su prosa es poética y reflexiva. Pinta a un Adriano con todos sus matices de emperador, su ocio, su legado, y todas las complejidades de la época.
Ciertamente, esta lectura no es para todo público, exige atención precisa, es una lectura lenta, para saborear, tiene sus partes muy históricas con un estilo casi plutaresco, si es que lo podría describir de alguna manera.
Es un libro para volver, releer en diferentes épocas de la vida. Sin duda lo haré.
Ciertamente, esta lectura no es para todo público, exige atención precisa, es una lectura lenta, para saborear, tiene sus partes muy históricas con un estilo casi plutaresco, si es que lo podría describir de alguna manera.
Es un libro para volver, releer en diferentes épocas de la vida. Sin duda lo haré.
A hugely impressive achievement. The 'reflections on the composition' at the end of the novel are a fascinating story in their own right and get the reader to reflect back fruitfully on what they've just read. My main point of comparison for this kind of book is Augustus by John Williams (although I'm sure there are many others) and I think this is the superior work, although Williams' novel is also very good. I found this to be a very slow read due to the density of Yourcenar's prose and the ideas she packs into it. I'll definitely be reading more by her.
adventurous
informative
«cada um de nós tem mais virtudes do que se crê, mas só o êxito as coloca em evidência.»