- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (26 Oct 1989)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140181946
- ISBN-13: 978-0140181944
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 298,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In her magnificent novel, Marguerite Yourcenor recreates the life and death of one of the great rulers of the ancient world. The Emperor Hadrian, aware his demise is imminent, writes a long valedictory letter to Marcus Aurelius, his future successor. The Emperor meditates on his past, describing his accession, military triumphs, love of poetry and music, and the philosophy that informed his powerful and far-flung rule. A work of superbly detailed research and sustained empathy, Memoirs of Hadrian captures the living spirit of the Emperor and of Ancient Rome.
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First Sentence
My dear Mark, Today I went to see my physician Hermogenes, who has just returned to the Villa from a rather long journey in Asia. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
My dear Mark, Today I went to see my physician Hermogenes, who has just returned to the Villa from a rather long journey in Asia. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book takes you back in time to the 2nd century and the memoirs of Emperor Hadrian. But it makes you feel as though this man could be talking to you, telling you his inner most thoughts on life and death. The book is totally compelling and you feel for Hadrian as a man. He talks about his love of life , nature, friendships and ultimately, his greatest love, the young Antoninous. The portrayal of this relationship and its unfortunate ending was very moving.
You also begin to see just how humanitarian and ahead of his time this man was. The birth of liberty, humanitarian values, democracy and provincialism all figure in his reign. The evidence and influence of Hadrian are still to be felt. This is a wonderful window into the 2nd century and the life of a compassionate and hugely dynamic man. I feel richer and wiser for having been introduced to his thoughts on life and living. It is a great introduction to Roman history, and history in general.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best historical novels around. I've read it both in the French and in the English translation by Grace Frick. The English translation really does convey the flavour of Yourcenar's measured prose. It helps that Grace was a very close friend of Yourcenar. I've also studied this period and Yourcenar was obviously steeped in the sources - just how far is clear in the notes included at the back. She conveys not only the philosophical tensions in Roman life but mundane things such as the quality of light, the treatment of slaves, attitudes towards Jews, Barbarians and Greeks. There is not a false note in the book, and it raises universal questions whilst acknowledging the different context of Hadrian's life. A beautiful piece of work.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I usually don't write book reviews but in this particular case I think that i need to talk about one of the aspects of the book that is missing in the other reviews.
All the reviews talk about it as a historical book. Readers praised its language fluency and historical accuracy. They're not wrong, but I don't think that it is the essence of the book, the reason why the author wrote it. This memeoirs don't allow us to enter the emperor's mind and the roman philosophy and beleifs. No one can know what these were and the author doesn't pretend to do so. This book is rather a personal work that allow us to enter the author's mind and philosophy (because it is first a philosophical treaty) and to analyse our relationship with our roman past. Marguerite yourcenar isn't a historian, she is a philosoph.
She was the first woman to enter L'académie Française, and she's undoubtedly one the major french writers of the century.
All the reviews talk about it as a historical book. Readers praised its language fluency and historical accuracy. They're not wrong, but I don't think that it is the essence of the book, the reason why the author wrote it. This memeoirs don't allow us to enter the emperor's mind and the roman philosophy and beleifs. No one can know what these were and the author doesn't pretend to do so. This book is rather a personal work that allow us to enter the author's mind and philosophy (because it is first a philosophical treaty) and to analyse our relationship with our roman past. Marguerite yourcenar isn't a historian, she is a philosoph.
She was the first woman to enter L'académie Française, and she's undoubtedly one the major french writers of the century.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Highly disappointed
I know many enjoyed this story, but "Memoirs of Hadrian" it isn't. So for what it is worth, if you are looking for a very well written book of literature you will enjoy it, if you... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Snap
A book that can re-read a few times and its as good every time
If you wish to have a quick, easy and even amusing dip into the era of the late Roman empire - this is not the book for you. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Torma
boring, sleep provoking
I was very disappointed in this book. It is very boring in my opinion. I even fell asleep while reading.
Couldn't find any appealing "trigger" in it. That's a pity
Couldn't find any appealing "trigger" in it. That's a pity
Published 1 month ago by Mulder & Scully
An interesting read
The item was a little musty but this adds to the pleasures of old books. The tale is interesting, the thoughts and memories Hadrian might have had as a man as well as an emperor.
Published 9 months ago by Marran Grey
between paganism and christianity
This is one of the most brilliant historical novels ever written and you can tell that it is a labor of love. Read more
Published 11 months ago by rob crawford
Hadrian emperor and lover
Came across this by chance but now realise it is a French classic. The book wonderfully evokes the Roman empire of Hadrian and his passion for Antinous.
Published 16 months ago by Nimbu
Suggestion for future edition
A superb book, the outcome of a lifetime's work and reflection, and I don't intend to add anything to the other 5-star reviews here. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Josquine
Slow, meditative and sad
I really wanted to like this book but while I found it well-written with a lingering, contemplative beauty, it was ultimately a little too self-interested and, dare I say,... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Roman Clodia
A true and just statesman
As a member of her class, the nobility, the Roman Emperor Hadrian stands for Marguerite Yourcenar as a perfect example of an eminently competent and just ruler who towered above... Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by Luc REYNAERT
One of the greatest books ever written?
Is this possibly one of the greatest books ever written? It might be hard to convince others of this view, but somehow I have a nagging huge respect for this book and its author. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by J. Vernon
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