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A review by divinehealer14
Memorie di Adriano by Marguerite Yourcenar
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I finished this book I sat staring at the wall for a good five minutes, just to let it sink in.
It’s an exquisitely written, historically documented biography that explores every facet of the emperor Hadrian, his vices and virtues: the emperor, the ruler, the friend, the lover, the poet, traveller, the art collector and, most of all, the human being. I found him such an interesting person to read about, and fully resonated with his love for art and literature.
Marguerite Yourcenar is absurdly talented in writing such a complex, somewhat paradoxical character without overromanticizing him or making him obsolete. I was surprised in how modern, yet respectful to classical culture this book was. Absolute masterpiece.
It’s an exquisitely written, historically documented biography that explores every facet of the emperor Hadrian, his vices and virtues: the emperor, the ruler, the friend, the lover, the poet, traveller, the art collector and, most of all, the human being. I found him such an interesting person to read about, and fully resonated with his love for art and literature.
Marguerite Yourcenar is absurdly talented in writing such a complex, somewhat paradoxical character without overromanticizing him or making him obsolete. I was surprised in how modern, yet respectful to classical culture this book was. Absolute masterpiece.