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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
John Williams truly is a remarkable writer. I appreciate this book both for its content and technical literary display. The epistolary novel does an incredible job at building up the character of Augustus. Williams' ability to flesh out a world, events, and characters from multiple perspectives upon which there is supposed to be a central focus is bewildering in retrospect. Williams is also 2/2 (Stoner and Augustus) at easing the main character and the reader to the end of a life.
The last note of "Rome, Northampton, Denver, 1967-1972" encapsulates the care that is evidently put into creating this rich novel.
The last note of "Rome, Northampton, Denver, 1967-1972" encapsulates the care that is evidently put into creating this rich novel.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The choice to have this be an epistolary novel is interesting. I can’t help but feel that Augustus is just a side character in his own book, especially in part 2 of the novel when a lot of focus was put onto his family instead. I found it hard to trace Augustus’s character development throughout the book and until the end, he seemed to just be a distant presence in the novel.
I only started enjoying the novel from part 2, when the focus is put onto Augustus’s family, particularly his daughter, Julia. John Williams impresses me once again with his skill at writing a nuanced female character that feels so real. This is also the second John Williams novel in which a father-daughter relationship is explored. Like in Stoner, it’s bittersweet and elegantly executed.
You’ll never find me disliking a novel by this author. Few others are able to explore human nature with such a nuanced and compelling hand.
I only started enjoying the novel from part 2, when the focus is put onto Augustus’s family, particularly his daughter, Julia. John Williams impresses me once again with his skill at writing a nuanced female character that feels so real. This is also the second John Williams novel in which a father-daughter relationship is explored. Like in Stoner, it’s bittersweet and elegantly executed.
You’ll never find me disliking a novel by this author. Few others are able to explore human nature with such a nuanced and compelling hand.
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best piece of fanfiction I ever did read.
In all seriousness, this sucked me in. I virtually couldn't put it down, which puts serious risk to my collections next week...
The epistolary form was so well executed by Williams, although I certainly was not surprised by his skill. I can admire how much dedication it must have taken to research the book's source material, given the letters are spread across so many characters. Boy did I enjoy this.
Julia's exile was so bittersweet. I loved the exploration of Octavius' compassion in ultimately banishing her... although I was taken by surprise in Ovid's lack of involvement, even though it was teased at some point.
In all seriousness, this sucked me in. I virtually couldn't put it down, which puts serious risk to my collections next week...
The epistolary form was so well executed by Williams, although I certainly was not surprised by his skill. I can admire how much dedication it must have taken to research the book's source material, given the letters are spread across so many characters. Boy did I enjoy this.
Julia's exile was so bittersweet. I loved the exploration of Octavius' compassion in ultimately banishing her... although I was taken by surprise in Ovid's lack of involvement, even though it was teased at some point.
This was so magnificent. it has changed my idea of how history can be retold. weaving narrative through fictional accounts while maintaining historical accuracy is so impressive and adds a new dimension to learning and reading about history. i feel like i know more of the people and motives and feeling of the period because of the way it has been told. john williams can do it all
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a graduate of history and an aspiring attorney, I've long been fascinated with Ancient Rome—going back to my time in third grade. Over time, my interest has shifted from adoration of Rome to a focus on its many moral and systemic shortcomings.
Augustus does the latter. Focusing on the rise of Gaias Caesar Octavius—later Augustus—to the role of first citizen, a role better known as Emperor. Trough the eyes of contemporaries, confidants and enemies we follow his rise to power through the first Triumvirate and the stormy relationship he had with his daughter, Julia. The structure is excellent. While most accounts in the form of letters, journals and dispatches are fictitious, the characters are rooted in fact as are their personalities.
Loved it. Would recommend.
Augustus does the latter. Focusing on the rise of Gaias Caesar Octavius—later Augustus—to the role of first citizen, a role better known as Emperor. Trough the eyes of contemporaries, confidants and enemies we follow his rise to power through the first Triumvirate and the stormy relationship he had with his daughter, Julia. The structure is excellent. While most accounts in the form of letters, journals and dispatches are fictitious, the characters are rooted in fact as are their personalities.
Loved it. Would recommend.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As an aspiring attorney with a history degree who loves to read, this was incredible. I originally fell in love with Roman History in 2003 while in third grade, and it's an interest that's stayed with me though it's shifted from admiration to more of an academic curiosity.
Augustus as a narrative is incredibly well done. We don't hear directly from Octavius (Augustus) until the third book, which serves as a through line tying the narrative from books one and two together. The voices are all unique to the characters in question, and most are deliciously unreliable.
The lessons themselves are excellent—impermanence, the idea that the tighter you grip something the more it slips away, and the sacrifices which must be made for the greater good. Augustus is held up as a god by Rome, perfect in every way. Through his and other's eyes, we see the imperfect truth.
Well done. Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.
Augustus as a narrative is incredibly well done. We don't hear directly from Octavius (Augustus) until the third book, which serves as a through line tying the narrative from books one and two together. The voices are all unique to the characters in question, and most are deliciously unreliable.
The lessons themselves are excellent—impermanence, the idea that the tighter you grip something the more it slips away, and the sacrifices which must be made for the greater good. Augustus is held up as a god by Rome, perfect in every way. Through his and other's eyes, we see the imperfect truth.
Well done. Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.