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giant_teapot's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
aerynz's review against another edition
Not the book's fault, just falling into a reading slump at the time
lea_pleiades's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
5.0
raulbime's review against another edition
5.0
Written in epistolary form, Hadrian writes to his adopted grandson Marcus Aurelius. This book begins as an update after Hadrian sees his physician Hermogenes and later develops into the reflection and recollection of his life. This book is beautiful, from beginning to the end, beautiful.
From his childhood in Spain, to his army life, to the beginnings of his political life, his ascent to power and career successes, his policies as well as love for art and Greek culture, his finding his love Antinous, loss and the grief he suffers, and later old age and approaching death. This was a wonderful, wonderful reading experience.
Of course Hadrian has always been considered a great statesman and was indeed an impressive figure. Some of his policies were meant to help improve the conditions of slaves, women and other marginalized groups in Roman society; he also relatively maintains peace and avoids war, especially compared to his previous predecessor, in the empire. However, he is still determined to maintain the status quo and systems that made his rise to power possible, and keeping the empire and colonies intact, even if it means a war that murdered hundreds of thousands and the destruction it led to as was the case with Jerusalem.
Reading the book, it was the writer Marguerite Yourcenar and not Hadrian that was at the back of my mind with every read sentence. She worked to bridge the distance of eighteen centuries that separated her from Hadrian, reconstructing that world that is long vanished save for the histories, ruins and artworks from the period and worked successfully to give a self-portrait of the emperor. She was the one more impressive to me and not the emperor, even though she claims her role was as a sorcerer:
"The sorcerer who pricks his thumb before he evokes the shades knows well that they will heed his call only because they lap his blood. He knows, too, or ought to know, that the voices who speak to him are wiser and more worthy of attention than are his own clamorous outcries."
This is a project that was a three decade process; reading the writer's reflection on composition, which was part of the library copy I had, was a fascinating reveal into the process that bore this book as well as the research the writer undertook and the bibliography notes provided. How she was able to dissolve history, facts, hypotheses and invention and have it all merge, formed and crystallized into the marvel that is this book, how she did it all, I'm still impressed. This is a remarkable artistic achievement.
The photographs illustrated and selected by the writer, along with the reflections on composition and bibliography notes contribute to the wonderful reading experience. The glowing and brilliant reviews the book has received are more than merited.
The English translation of the book was also impressive. Reading this at times I forgot that it was a translation, translated from French by Yourcenar's partner Grace Fick who worked in collaboration with the writer and who the writer also acknowledges for her role in the writing of the book (not related to the translating). This was brilliant, it was with a mixture of awe, admiration and envy that I read this.
From his childhood in Spain, to his army life, to the beginnings of his political life, his ascent to power and career successes, his policies as well as love for art and Greek culture, his finding his love Antinous, loss and the grief he suffers, and later old age and approaching death. This was a wonderful, wonderful reading experience.
Of course Hadrian has always been considered a great statesman and was indeed an impressive figure. Some of his policies were meant to help improve the conditions of slaves, women and other marginalized groups in Roman society; he also relatively maintains peace and avoids war, especially compared to his previous predecessor, in the empire. However, he is still determined to maintain the status quo and systems that made his rise to power possible, and keeping the empire and colonies intact, even if it means a war that murdered hundreds of thousands and the destruction it led to as was the case with Jerusalem.
Reading the book, it was the writer Marguerite Yourcenar and not Hadrian that was at the back of my mind with every read sentence. She worked to bridge the distance of eighteen centuries that separated her from Hadrian, reconstructing that world that is long vanished save for the histories, ruins and artworks from the period and worked successfully to give a self-portrait of the emperor. She was the one more impressive to me and not the emperor, even though she claims her role was as a sorcerer:
"The sorcerer who pricks his thumb before he evokes the shades knows well that they will heed his call only because they lap his blood. He knows, too, or ought to know, that the voices who speak to him are wiser and more worthy of attention than are his own clamorous outcries."
This is a project that was a three decade process; reading the writer's reflection on composition, which was part of the library copy I had, was a fascinating reveal into the process that bore this book as well as the research the writer undertook and the bibliography notes provided. How she was able to dissolve history, facts, hypotheses and invention and have it all merge, formed and crystallized into the marvel that is this book, how she did it all, I'm still impressed. This is a remarkable artistic achievement.
The photographs illustrated and selected by the writer, along with the reflections on composition and bibliography notes contribute to the wonderful reading experience. The glowing and brilliant reviews the book has received are more than merited.
The English translation of the book was also impressive. Reading this at times I forgot that it was a translation, translated from French by Yourcenar's partner Grace Fick who worked in collaboration with the writer and who the writer also acknowledges for her role in the writing of the book (not related to the translating). This was brilliant, it was with a mixture of awe, admiration and envy that I read this.
federica1994's review against another edition
inspiring
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
4.0
jimena's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anael21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
slichto3's review against another edition
3.0
To me, this book looks different in different lights. The ugly side: it's boring, tedious, and dull. It meanders and dwells on the mundane. But there is beauty as well: it feels perceptive, affecting, and authentic - authentic not because I think it accurately portrays Hadrian (I couldn't care much less about that), but because it feels like there is a genuine person behind this story. That might explain the duality I experienced - it's real in a way that makes it often boring.
The structure of the book is really all in the title: this is a fictional imagining of what the memoirs of the Roman emperor Hadrian would be like. Near the end of his life, Hadrian is writing his life story to his adopted grandson, Mark Aurelius, who will be his successor as emperor. Present day Hadrian is an oldish man. He can't move like he once did, he suffers regular attacks where he struggles to breath, and he's confronting his impending death. Then he gets to the rest of his life: a child growing up in Spain with parents that pass when he was young. Joining the Roman army, fighting in different spots. He rises through the ranks, does good work, and gets close to Trajan, the excessively militaristic (at least according to our storyteller) Roman emperor who precedes Hadrian. As Trajan ages, he hesitates on choosing a successor. Eventually he (maybe) chooses Hadrian. Hadrian becomes emperor. He loves, he loses, he ages, and then we get to our start.
Not that much really happens in this book. You could summarize it in a few short paragraphs. My biggest takeaway from Hadrian's rule: he goes around improving the infrastructure of places around the Roman empire. Good policy, but not an exciting read. This is exacerbated by the writing style: long sentences, gigantic paragraphs - those features make the book drag.
One other thing I struggled with: Hadrian is the one and only character. Other folks pop into the book, especially Antinous (Hadrian's way younger lover), but they are very faint stars against the all-encompassing sun of Hadrian himself. I really wanted to feel more of the world, and I think I would have felt even more into the book if there was more feeling and drama between characters. I guess I just wanted it to be more like Augustus :)
But damn if some of Hadrian's musings aren't compelling, particularly as regards lost love, aging, and facing death. It's real and relatable. I'm hooked by emotion in books, and these are the parts that really brought it - sadness, fear, dread.
I was talking to a friend recently who said this book was one of his favorites. He reread it recently, and I asked him about his thoughts and about the end. He told me that he actually had only re-read the beginning: he didn't like the sad parts. I was stunned. Those are the parts that really make the book! Then I read other reviews on this book - my gosh, it makes me feel like we're from completely different planets. There's a raving adoration on how accurate the portrayal of Hadrian is, and on how beautifully constructed the sentences are. Hah, I do not empathize.
Once I got farther in the book, though, I started to feel more comfortable with the style of prose, and even started to enjoy the contemplative nature of the book. It's pleasant. Every time I put this book down, I felt like I carried myself with more equanimity and dignity. I'd like to return to this book again at some point - maybe I'll get that same blind devotion to it on the second read.
Regardless, I'd have a hard time recommending this book. Folks recommended this to me when I said I loved Augustus. Very, very different book - their only tie is that they deal with ancient Rome. But read that, ignore this.
The structure of the book is really all in the title: this is a fictional imagining of what the memoirs of the Roman emperor Hadrian would be like. Near the end of his life, Hadrian is writing his life story to his adopted grandson, Mark Aurelius, who will be his successor as emperor. Present day Hadrian is an oldish man. He can't move like he once did, he suffers regular attacks where he struggles to breath, and he's confronting his impending death. Then he gets to the rest of his life: a child growing up in Spain with parents that pass when he was young. Joining the Roman army, fighting in different spots. He rises through the ranks, does good work, and gets close to Trajan, the excessively militaristic (at least according to our storyteller) Roman emperor who precedes Hadrian. As Trajan ages, he hesitates on choosing a successor. Eventually he (maybe) chooses Hadrian. Hadrian becomes emperor. He loves, he loses, he ages, and then we get to our start.
Not that much really happens in this book. You could summarize it in a few short paragraphs. My biggest takeaway from Hadrian's rule: he goes around improving the infrastructure of places around the Roman empire. Good policy, but not an exciting read. This is exacerbated by the writing style: long sentences, gigantic paragraphs - those features make the book drag.
One other thing I struggled with: Hadrian is the one and only character. Other folks pop into the book, especially Antinous (Hadrian's way younger lover), but they are very faint stars against the all-encompassing sun of Hadrian himself. I really wanted to feel more of the world, and I think I would have felt even more into the book if there was more feeling and drama between characters. I guess I just wanted it to be more like Augustus :)
But damn if some of Hadrian's musings aren't compelling, particularly as regards lost love, aging, and facing death. It's real and relatable. I'm hooked by emotion in books, and these are the parts that really brought it - sadness, fear, dread.
I was talking to a friend recently who said this book was one of his favorites. He reread it recently, and I asked him about his thoughts and about the end. He told me that he actually had only re-read the beginning: he didn't like the sad parts. I was stunned. Those are the parts that really make the book! Then I read other reviews on this book - my gosh, it makes me feel like we're from completely different planets. There's a raving adoration on how accurate the portrayal of Hadrian is, and on how beautifully constructed the sentences are. Hah, I do not empathize.
Once I got farther in the book, though, I started to feel more comfortable with the style of prose, and even started to enjoy the contemplative nature of the book. It's pleasant. Every time I put this book down, I felt like I carried myself with more equanimity and dignity. I'd like to return to this book again at some point - maybe I'll get that same blind devotion to it on the second read.
Regardless, I'd have a hard time recommending this book. Folks recommended this to me when I said I loved Augustus. Very, very different book - their only tie is that they deal with ancient Rome. But read that, ignore this.
catalinabpr's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0