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Answered Questions (2)

Reading Augustus at the moment, i feel compelled to compare it with "I Claudius", my question: is the format of using the multiple viewpoints a plus or a minus in your opinion?

Jolo G I think it depends wholly on your preference. I know of some people who had to put this down because they can't reconcile with the fact that it's not …moreI think it depends wholly on your preference. I know of some people who had to put this down because they can't reconcile with the fact that it's not being narrated singularly. But for me, being a fan of historical fiction in general and of the Roman Empire as a particular epoch, I think the book's strength lies within that very fact. The epistolary format works incredibly well for me, since it provides a more colorful and colored view of the ancient age that it portrays through the prism of the people who lived it. It may feel a bit disjointed in some areas, but it works well enough because it's precisely what you would expect if you were reading several dispatches from differing people of differing opinions and differing points in time. It doesn't lack any cohesion despite that since it's all being glued together by Augustus himself as the principal character. The final two chapters are by far my most favorite, as it is finally being written by the princeps himself who reflects on his life and reign as the first emperor or Rome. The challenges, the sacrifices, the murders, the loves lost and the empire ultimately acquired through force of will, ambition, ruthlessness, privation, love, hate and everything in between are all the more vivid in John Williams' treatment of it.

I'm sorry for gushing about this book, it's just that I love it so much! Hope this answer helps. (less)

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Is this book appropriate for a 12-year-old to read? (one who is very interested in history, classics and historical fiction)

Helen Jacoby It would only be appropriate for a 12-year-old who has a major interest in ancient Rome, and who already has some knowledge of that period. Otherwise …moreIt would only be appropriate for a 12-year-old who has a major interest in ancient Rome, and who already has some knowledge of that period. Otherwise the reader would probably find it too confusing. This is also a novel that looks at the human condition (rather than wars, conquests, gladiators, etc), so truly appreciating it would require maturity greater than that of most 12-year-olds. There are scenes which allude to sexual activity, but none of that is graphic, so I think the book would be fine from that angle. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

Ha! Just finished Robert Harris "Dictator" where Cicero is the good guy and Octavius is power hungry. If you watch a movie about penguins the seals are the bad guys. If you watch a movie about seals the killer wales are the bad guys. ?

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

I think the different narrators helps in reading the book. It would be tedious as a straight third person narrative. Also, intersting view of Augustus daughter, Julia. I thought the portrait of Marc Anthony was dead on. Would it have helped if the viewpoints of Livia and Tiberious had been more prevalent?

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