- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Methuen Publishing Ltd; New edition edition (18 Nov 1976)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0413370704
- ISBN-13: 978-0413370709
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.2 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 782,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Synopsis
A work of historical fiction which recreates the life and times of Emperor Claudius, who lived from 10 BC to AD 41, a time when poisoning, blasphemy, treachery, incest and unnatural vice were commonplace. From the author of CLAUDIUS THE GOD AND HIS WIFE MESSALINA.
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First Sentence
Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you yet with all my titles) who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as "Claudius the Idiot", or "That Claudius", or "Claudius the Stammere", or "Clau-Clau-Claudius" or at best as "Poor Uncle Claudius", am now about to write this strange history of my life; starting from my earliest childhood and continuing year by year until I reach the fateful point of change where, some eight years ago, at the age of fifty-one, I suddenly found myself caught in what I may call the "golden predicament" from which I have never since become disentangled. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you yet with all my titles) who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as "Claudius the Idiot", or "That Claudius", or "Claudius the Stammere", or "Clau-Clau-Claudius" or at best as "Poor Uncle Claudius", am now about to write this strange history of my life; starting from my earliest childhood and continuing year by year until I reach the fateful point of change where, some eight years ago, at the age of fifty-one, I suddenly found myself caught in what I may call the "golden predicament" from which I have never since become disentangled. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I, Claudius by Robert Graves really is what they say it is, the best historical novel of our time. The brutal reality of power politics is splendidly portrayed by Graves against the rich and inspiring backdrop of ancient Rome. The story is told from the perspective of a nobly born, but disadvantaged spectator who stands by as those around him destroy each other until, inevitably, he is drawn into the role of participant in the glorious game that was Roman politics.
An excellent read, you won't be able to put it down.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I first picked up this book on Holiday in Holland in the 80's, along with the follow up "Claudius the God". Both are good pieces of fiction but I feel there is something even worse hidden beneath the words which just cannot be written about. Having read the book I was driven to research the age in which it is set - and I was right. This is but half the story and tells only what could be published without pushing the book into the pornography or the sado-masochism sections.
It is true what they say you can choose your friends but beware of your family - and don't get to close to the friends either! The chronology is a bit hard to follow but the story is basically accurate in the major historical points and the characters - watered down as they are - are definitely believable.
Told from the first person viewpoint it paints a fairly accurate life of Rome of the time though it is spoilt a little by the geographical information which has, of necessity I suspect, been written with the modern map in mind. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I have come back to time and again and- like Tolkein & Dillman - have gained new insights and shocks from each time I have read it. I would recommend it to students of history for its insights as well as the leisure reader for its good storyline of intrigue, murder, incest. Anything seems possible and probable in this decadent time in Rome's History. My final comment, to paraphrase Julia, daughter of Augustus - "Yeah Gods, what a family!!"
It is true what they say you can choose your friends but beware of your family - and don't get to close to the friends either! The chronology is a bit hard to follow but the story is basically accurate in the major historical points and the characters - watered down as they are - are definitely believable.
Told from the first person viewpoint it paints a fairly accurate life of Rome of the time though it is spoilt a little by the geographical information which has, of necessity I suspect, been written with the modern map in mind. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I have come back to time and again and- like Tolkein & Dillman - have gained new insights and shocks from each time I have read it. I would recommend it to students of history for its insights as well as the leisure reader for its good storyline of intrigue, murder, incest. Anything seems possible and probable in this decadent time in Rome's History. My final comment, to paraphrase Julia, daughter of Augustus - "Yeah Gods, what a family!!"
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
there's alot of blood and gore, lust and greed, power and murder in this; and as it's based on fact, it's very revealing on what the Roman Empire's leading figures got up to in the decline of the empire. From Augustus to Claudius, the book unfolds a gruesome history, as an "auto-biography" of Claudius. Great stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
wonderful atmospheric novel
I have owned this book before and lost it around 5 years ago. I have been pining for it and so bought it again and re-read it in pretty much one sitting. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mag
I ,Overrated
This was a book I approached with some enthusiasm many years after watching the BBC series in the seventies. Read more
Published 13 months ago by mazza46
Historical Novel Revealing Absolute Tyranny at Work
I originally read this book and its sequel Claudius the God more than twenty years ago and thought it superb. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nicodemus
I, Claudius, Robert Graves - Historic fiction at its best
Why bother going to the trouble of inventing a decent plot and characters when history has already done it for you? Read more
Published 16 months ago by Victor
Love it, but don't like it
It's almost impossible for me to review this book. I have just read it for the third time and for me it is like a comfy old jumper, easily to snuggle down with. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by MonkeyReviewer
Just okay for me
I hate to be the one bad apple in the bunch, but to be honest, I was expecting great things from this book given all of the fabulous reviews. Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by JenJen
Superb
A very good read. It is not an easy read unless you know a fair amount about Roman history and is not likely to appeal to someone who just likes the odd Lindsey Davies murder... Read more
Published on 3 April 2008 by John Hopper
Graves the genius
My reading of this was highly coloured by the BBC adaption - as I guess most modern reading would be. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2006 by N. Frary
Well worth reading - even if you've seen the TV series
This has to be the book the sets the standard for all historical novels. Its not a genre I have much time for, but this is a superb piece of literature. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2006 by Mike J. Wheeler
"How many twisted stories still remain to be straightened out?"
Published in 1934, poet Robert Graves's _I, Claudius_ tells the story of Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, known in Roman history as Claudius--an historian, a crippled... Read more
Published on 31 July 2006 by Mary Whipple
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