Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: I, Claudius : From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius, Born 10 B.C., Murdered and Deified A.D. 54 (Vintage International) by Robert Graves ISBN: 0-679-72477-X Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 October, 1989 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.71 (121 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: One of the Few Classics I Actually Loved
Comment: ***One of the TWO best books I read in 2003***
My favorite author, George R. R. Martin, recommended this book on his website, so I grabbed the audiobook off the shelf at the library. It, in turn, grabbed my attention right away. It was excellent! I've never found myself making up so many excuses to go driving!
I can tell that Martin was heavily inspired by this book. Tyrion, one of his most famous characters from A GAME OF THRONES (an amazing fantasy novel), most certainly is based upon Claudius from this book, for they are so similar. Some might worry that Martin might be copying Graves too much, but he has done enough to make Tyrion unique. I love both books, both characters and both authors immensely now, so you'll get no complaints from me!
Of course, it also helped that I am a huge fan of the Roman Empire: Historical fiction novels, History Channel, Roman History classes in college, or whatever I can get my eyes and ears on. So I guess this book is simply up my alley, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone with similar interests.
-Next in the series is Claudius the God, and I certainly plan on reading it soon.
-Also, if you consider yourself a true fan of this book, you owe it to yourself to get your hands on a copy of the 1975 Masterpiece Theatre Miniseries of I CLAUDIUS, produced by the BBC. You might think its a little corny or outdated, but you should definitely give it a try. I found it at the library, and tore through all 7 tapes recklessly, and ended up quite entertained. Go for it!
Rating: 5
Summary: Engaging Historical Fiction
Comment: I, Claudius is an engrossing read that follows the life of Claudius, a member of the Claudio-Julian lineage of Roman emperors. This is a fictional work but is based considerably upon historical records and writings about the various intrigues of the Roman emperors.
Claudius plays the part of sharp observer throughout much of the novel. He was born with a stutter and thus was deemed to be incompetent, dull and therefore not much of a threat to the imperial powers. He therefore witnesses many of the most dramatic and terrible events of Roman history, including the bizarre reigns of Tiberius and Caligula. Despite his outward infirmities (which Claudius is all too willing to play up in an effort to save his neck), Claudius' narration is sharp, witty and downright funny in places. Through his eyes, the reader sees the various backroom maneuvering that made imperial Rome so interesting.
This a delightful book that moves quickly under the steady writing of Graves. Even for those without much knowledge or interest in ancient Rome, the intrigues are often more intriguing than what true fiction writers are capable of producing. This is a great novel for all readers. Readers will be sad to finish this book but happy to know that an equally delightful sequel awaits them.
Rating: 4
Summary: Quite unexpectedly Good
Comment: Usually I hate historical fiction preferring my history to be history and fiction to be fiction, but this book confounded me because I loved it. It was a good overview of the first five Caesars but I kept wondering what was fiction and what was truth {don't say I didn't warn you}. But soon into it, the ambivalence quieted and it was just a good gripping tale. Your family does wonder when you go around muttering about Livia and Caligula and the stupidity of Augustus but that is the effect it has, almost like a soap opera. It so inspired me that I have ordered the sequel along with a few other books of the same era but somehow, I know this one will be hard to top. It is a winner if one can get over the insistance on separating history from fiction. But what the hey, you only live once, so try it.
 |
Title: Claudius the God and His Wife Messalina (Vintage International) by Robert Graves ISBN: 0679725733 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 October, 1989 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics) by Suetonius, Robert Graves, Michael Grant, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ISBN: 0140449213 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
 |
Title: The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough ISBN: 0380710811 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 August, 1991 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title:I, Claudius ASIN: B00004U12X Publisher: Image Entertainment Pub. Date: 15 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $89.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $73.79 |
 |
Title: King Jesus : A Novel by Robert Graves ISBN: 0374516642 Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Pub. Date: 01 October, 1981 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
