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A review by mafiabadgers
Memoirs of Hadrian: And Reflections on the Composition of Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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?