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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Fluid, skilfully written, and poignant. Serves as a great, fictionalised exploration of the grand and ancient past, an interesting and engaging character study, and as a profound work of philosophy, all at once.
Augustus is a good book but it pales in comparison to a book it clearly tries to emulate in I, Claudius. It's possible that Graves is simply a better author than Williams, but I think it is mostly because I, Claudius stays in the form of historical memoir from a singular narrator, whereas Augustus changes form and narrators frequently. Roman history is fascinating and Williams capitalizes on this, but I couldn't help but comparing it to Graves' far superior novel.
Richer, and yet more subtle Graves' I, Claudius. There is a depth to Augustus that is almost modest.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Frutto di una scelta del defunto GDL #Libridicorte, dopo più di tre anni rimasto lì a languire, ho deciso di portarlo a termine nonostante trovi lo stile epistolare di una noia mortale.
Ancora più fastidioso, quando ha cominciato a fare avanti e indietro nel tempo tra le varie missive e il diario della figlia.
L'unica parte che ha fatto guadagnare quella mezza stella per arrivare a 2, è stata la lettera finale "per mano" di Ottaviano Augusto, piena di riflessioni interessanti.
La prosa, nonostante la sgradita scelta del genere letterario, era fluida e di un certo spessore.
Ancora più fastidioso, quando ha cominciato a fare avanti e indietro nel tempo tra le varie missive e il diario della figlia.
L'unica parte che ha fatto guadagnare quella mezza stella per arrivare a 2, è stata la lettera finale "per mano" di Ottaviano Augusto, piena di riflessioni interessanti.
La prosa, nonostante la sgradita scelta del genere letterario, era fluida e di un certo spessore.
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
beautiful book: intriguing, reflective, sensual, crude, emotional. became one of my top 3 favorites!
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you’re interested in Roman Empire’s history, in particular in Augustus, you should read this book. Always remembering that lots of these facts aren’t real and that this book is a novel.
An overwhelmingly well executed and well-written book.
First, it is the form of the book that makes it truly great. The decision to make the book a collection of letters gives it the antique and historical air that makes up the foundation of the book.
This is balanced out nicely by a more traditional story telling style that allows the story to flow and progress more easily, unhindered by the realism of the kinds of letters that would otherwise seem natural. It comes in the form of the letters from Maecenas to Livy, and thediary entries of Julia . These longer and more focused sections.
The decision tonot let us hear from Augustus himself until the end of the book, is a huge part of the reason it works so well.
This way, we experience the mysterious ruler from the outside alongside his peers. It builds up intrigue and wonder. In his moments of victory we too experience him as an unknowable and godlike figure. While in his moments of "weakness" and uncertainty we wonder what is behind the facade of this now very real man. How does he see the world, and bear the weight of it upon his shoulders?
Especially the moments with his loved ones are affecting. Augustus seems so far away from the rest of the world, even then, among those who should be closest to him.
I had my doubts about how Williams would even pull it off if he were to allow us inside the head of Augustus, would it even work?
Of course, it did, and wonderfully so! It was my absolute favourite part of the book. The ability to writefrom the perspective of a character as Augustus is astounding!
At last I should say that I do not see the big difference between this book and Stoner.
We follow two men scheming to a lesser or greater degree for their position in their empire, or at their university. Two paralysingly lonely men. Estranged, in a large part, by their own very best efforts, from the world and the people around them.
One also wonders at Williams' own relationship to his family and the world.
First, it is the form of the book that makes it truly great. The decision to make the book a collection of letters gives it the antique and historical air that makes up the foundation of the book.
This is balanced out nicely by a more traditional story telling style that allows the story to flow and progress more easily, unhindered by the realism of the kinds of letters that would otherwise seem natural. It comes in the form of the letters from Maecenas to Livy, and the
The decision to
This way, we experience the mysterious ruler from the outside alongside his peers. It builds up intrigue and wonder. In his moments of victory we too experience him as an unknowable and godlike figure. While in his moments of "weakness" and uncertainty we wonder what is behind the facade of this now very real man. How does he see the world, and bear the weight of it upon his shoulders?
Especially the moments with his loved ones are affecting. Augustus seems so far away from the rest of the world, even then, among those who should be closest to him.
Of course, it did, and wonderfully so! It was my absolute favourite part of the book. The ability to write
At last I should say that I do not see the big difference between this book and Stoner.
We follow two men scheming to a lesser or greater degree for their position in their empire, or at their university. Two paralysingly lonely men. Estranged, in a large part, by their own very best efforts, from the world and the people around them.
One also wonders at Williams' own relationship to his family and the world.