A review by patchworkculture
The Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar

challenging reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Memoirs of Hadrian was quite different than my usual reads. The first few pages made me long for my own copy so I could underline a few phrases. I liked the tone, to hear Hadrian speaking as in a letter or diary. That lasted only in the philosophical moments of abstract wondering or reference to human nature. I was not as interested in the conquests and politics because the names and places were unfamiliar. Anecdotes about the government and society just kept coming, reminding me of an acquaintance who chains story after story together without pause for breath. I couldn’t decide how I felt about Hadrian. Sure, it’s nice to see a man pass through different phases of life, adopting new habits and interests over time, but my hazy image of him is a man of contradictions. He opposed the endless wars of his predecessor and wanted a peaceful empire where citizens could maintain aspects of their cultures. He was in favor of treating all men like humans but he berated a servant for disregarding hierarchy and became a stickler for rank. He improved women’s lives by banning marriages of non-consent, but it was a passing observation for him to acknowledge the smallness of women’s worlds, relegated to the domestic realm. It wasn’t until the author’s notes at the end that I remembered this was a fictional historical reconstruction, and not his actual voice. Yourcenar and Frick remained as true as existing documentation allowed them, but there was obviously an element of invention. I’m still glad to have read the book—I appreciated finding anything familiar and hope I retained enough to help me with a few trivia questions here and there.
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