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chemitadynamita99's review against another edition
5.0
Esta libro es una joya. Podría parecer que solo es un trabajo de reconstrucción de lo que habrían sido las memorias de Adriano pero va mucho más allá. Te pone es situación del imperio romano y todos los problemas que se tenían y te lo junta con toda la sabiduría y filosofía que podría albergar el emperador, y no uno cualquiera, sino uno de los más dedicados a su labor. Obra imprescindible de lectura.
annelene's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
divinehealer14's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I finished this book I sat staring at the wall for a good five minutes, just to let it sink in.
It’s an exquisitely written, historically documented biography that explores every facet of the emperor Hadrian, his vices and virtues: the emperor, the ruler, the friend, the lover, the poet, traveller, the art collector and, most of all, the human being. I found him such an interesting person to read about, and fully resonated with his love for art and literature.
Marguerite Yourcenar is absurdly talented in writing such a complex, somewhat paradoxical character without overromanticizing him or making him obsolete. I was surprised in how modern, yet respectful to classical culture this book was. Absolute masterpiece.
It’s an exquisitely written, historically documented biography that explores every facet of the emperor Hadrian, his vices and virtues: the emperor, the ruler, the friend, the lover, the poet, traveller, the art collector and, most of all, the human being. I found him such an interesting person to read about, and fully resonated with his love for art and literature.
Marguerite Yourcenar is absurdly talented in writing such a complex, somewhat paradoxical character without overromanticizing him or making him obsolete. I was surprised in how modern, yet respectful to classical culture this book was. Absolute masterpiece.
andrea12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
math_ematiks's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of my favorite books of all time, for ever grateful for my philosophy teacher to have recommended it to me- immaculate taste
redkangoo's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
florosev's review against another edition
3.0
Es increíble el trabajo de la autora, de recopilación histórica, los años de trabajo para lograr ponerse en el cuerpo/mente de Adriano y contar su historia en primera persona.. una genia✨
En cuanto a mi propia experiencia con el libro, sólo agregaría una mini crítica y es que, aunque me encantó cómo está escrito.. igual se torna un poco tedioso a ratos que tooooodo el libro esté escrito en primera persona. Aún así me gustó mucho.
En cuanto a mi propia experiencia con el libro, sólo agregaría una mini crítica y es que, aunque me encantó cómo está escrito.. igual se torna un poco tedioso a ratos que tooooodo el libro esté escrito en primera persona. Aún así me gustó mucho.
lauragill's review against another edition
5.0
I have been looking forward to reading this novel for a long time. When I started reading, however, I found it dry and uninteresting, and wondering what about the text inspired so many readers to call it a masterpiece.
Perseverance taught me a lesson. The beginning, which forms the start of a letter the dying Hadrian composes to the young Marcus Aurelius, outlines Hadrian's personal philosophy. Nothing actually happens for about 25-30 pages. When he starts to tell his life's story, though, the action picks up, and one starts visualizing scenes from Hadrian's youth in a sun-soaked Spanish village to his military experience on the cold Germanic frontier, where he fantasizes about riding east across the steppes and never looking back. Trajan and his empress Plotina appear, fleshed out and engaging characters.
But is Hadrian a reliable narrator? What is Marcus Aurelius thinking as he reads this letter? From historical sources, we know that he had no personal affection for Hadrian and never thanked him in the first book of his Meditations; I can easily imagine him crumpling up this letter and dropping it down a privy. Because Hadrian does go on ad nauseum about his philosophy on this and that and the other, and everything he's accomplished, and yes, he had to execute some political rivals and he really regretted that, and the things he's had to do in Judaea because of such obstinate, obtusely single minded Zealots like Akiba and Bar-Kochba, but he had to do it for the Empire, etc.
I did not start to care about Hadrian's viewpoint until the Saeculum Aureum (Age of Gold) chapter dealing with his relationship with Antinous. At times, he waxes sentimental, but as tragedy strikes and he's left to deal with the aftermath, Hadrian's regret strikes a heartfelt chord of self-recrimination and examination. Yourcenar is at her best here, and in the chapters that follow. I lost my skepticism overall of Hadrian as narrator, and even began to understand his philosophizing as his death approached.
At some point, I may have to return and clarify or add to this review, because I'm still turning the text over in my mind. I admit, I may need to go back and reread the book; a second reading of those earlier, slower bits may make more sense now.
Perseverance taught me a lesson. The beginning, which forms the start of a letter the dying Hadrian composes to the young Marcus Aurelius, outlines Hadrian's personal philosophy. Nothing actually happens for about 25-30 pages. When he starts to tell his life's story, though, the action picks up, and one starts visualizing scenes from Hadrian's youth in a sun-soaked Spanish village to his military experience on the cold Germanic frontier, where he fantasizes about riding east across the steppes and never looking back. Trajan and his empress Plotina appear, fleshed out and engaging characters.
But is Hadrian a reliable narrator? What is Marcus Aurelius thinking as he reads this letter? From historical sources, we know that he had no personal affection for Hadrian and never thanked him in the first book of his Meditations; I can easily imagine him crumpling up this letter and dropping it down a privy. Because Hadrian does go on ad nauseum about his philosophy on this and that and the other, and everything he's accomplished, and yes, he had to execute some political rivals and he really regretted that, and the things he's had to do in Judaea because of such obstinate, obtusely single minded Zealots like Akiba and Bar-Kochba, but he had to do it for the Empire, etc.
I did not start to care about Hadrian's viewpoint until the Saeculum Aureum (Age of Gold) chapter dealing with his relationship with Antinous. At times, he waxes sentimental, but as tragedy strikes and he's left to deal with the aftermath, Hadrian's regret strikes a heartfelt chord of self-recrimination and examination. Yourcenar is at her best here, and in the chapters that follow. I lost my skepticism overall of Hadrian as narrator, and even began to understand his philosophizing as his death approached.
At some point, I may have to return and clarify or add to this review, because I'm still turning the text over in my mind. I admit, I may need to go back and reread the book; a second reading of those earlier, slower bits may make more sense now.
felravenn's review against another edition
It's not the book, it's my currently pea-sized brain. Not the right time for this story but I will revisit it.