I,Claudius - Robert Graves

It is generally the case with historical fiction that you need to at least be interested in the hisotical setting. With "I Claudius" it is a distinct advantage if you actually know the setting and period tolerably well - author Robert Graves has paid close attention to history, but is depicting a chaotic, confusing period, and you may find that you need all the help you can get. (before we get started, I'm a fast reader, but was slowed down a good deal by this book because the Romans are not a pet subject of mine and I found the family connections and complex politics hard to follow.) The plot - deals with the rulers of the Roman Empire ...  Read the complete review

I, Claudius is the riveting tale of one man, struggling with the expectations and success of those around him. Born into the most powerful and admired family of his time, Claudius has family links to Augustus Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Anthony and Germanicus, one of the most beloved of all Romans. I, Claudius will not only have in at your knees in hysterics but the marvellous plot brought wonderfully to life will have you in awe and aspiration. We all have something that we are ashamed of because of the media and the psychological tendering that society inflicts upon us. Claudius is that very entity; born into a family that is proud and very admired, he is ...  Read the complete review