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Title: Augustus
Author: John Williams
Narrator: Robin Field
Format: Unabridged
Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
Language: English
Release date: 02-03-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 142 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
A brilliant and beautifully written novel in the tradition of Robert Graves I, Claudius, Augustus is a sweeping narrative that brings vividly to life a compelling cast of historical figures through their letters, dispatches, and memoirs.
A mere 18 years of age when his uncle, Julius Caesar, is murdered, Octavius Caesar prematurely inherits rule of the Roman Republic. Surrounded by men who are jockeying for powerCicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antonyyoung Octavius must work against the powerful Roman political machinations to claim his destiny as first Roman emperor.
Sprung from meticulous research and the pen of a true poet, Augustus tells the story of one mans dream to liberate a corrupt Rome from the fancy of the capriciously crooked and the wildly wealthy.
Critic Reviews:
Augustus is a masterpiece. (
Los Angeles Times)
Members Reviews:
The son of Caesar calls to you.
One does not deceive oneself about the consequences of one's acts; one deceives oneself about the ease with which one can live with those consequences.
John Williams, Augustus
John Williams read some Robert Graves and said, "Yeah, I got this Roman. I can do this." I'm trying to think of equivalent historical fiction that orbits the same level of prose mastery: Norman Mailer, Robert Graves, Hilary Mantel, E. L. Doctorow and a few others belong on this very short list.
There are some writers (like Pynchon, etc) who seem to find their groove and mine that style/approach for all it is worth. Others like Williams just appear to get bored with one style, form, or approach to literature. They want to master all. John Williams who is also known for his college novel Stoner and his Western Butcher's Crossing decided to give writing an epistolary, historical novel a try. What he created is one of the greatest historical novels of all time. Probably not as good as Robert Graves (or dare I say Hilary Mantel), but damn close.
Excellent book, weak reading
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
This is one of the best Historical fiction I have ever read
What did you like best about this story?
Great writing, and its organization as a set of letters is brilliant.
What about Robin Fields performance did you like?
He is trying to change his diction for the various narrators.And it sounds terrible, particularly when narrating women.
YOu should get a different narror for this wonderful book.
An excellent choice!
It is certainly on its own a magnificent, highly engaging book, but the narrator turns it into a fascinating journey, so that I could almost visualize the scenes narrated, like watching a movie. Just great piece of work!
An interesting introduction to Roman history
What did you love best about Augustus?
The book is presented as a series of letters by people who know or knew Augustus constantly providing different perspectives and thoughts about a larger than life figure sometimes with the perspective of the times of the events sometimes years afterwards. It made for an interesting format. The book seemed packed with realistic details.
What other book might you compare Augustus to and why?
I cannot remember another historical fiction book with the constantly changing narrative device of Augustus.
Have you listened to any of Robin Fields other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, but the narrator gave an impressive easy to follow performance.
