Historical Fictionistas discussion

Discuss here! Please be sure to clearly mark anything that someone else might consider a spoiler! :)

Just snagged this one from the library last night. I am looking forward to starting it this weekend.

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and one of the few I've read more than once (and intend to read again).

Once you're done with it, check out the BBC version on DVD starring Derek Jacobi. It's brilliant.

I love "I, Claudius." I was watching the miniseries when I was about six, vigorously protesting when my mom sent me out of the room for the gory bits. Probably what sparked my interest in ancient Rome in the first place. The books are great, though they are quite different from the miniseries. The miniseries had a very dialogue-heavy script, and the novels are almost all narrative. I love Claudius's voice, though - so astoundingly intelligent.

I just got my copy from the library today, looking forward to starting it tonight!

I loved this book. When I first started it I thought I might get bogged down in keeping the people straight, and wasn't sure I'd finish it. By page 10 I was hooked and could barely put it down. I had to let go of trying to keep the family tree straight, though. The way family members were divorced, adopted, and knocking each other off was astounding!

I was particularly fascinated with Claudius as an historian, and how he managed to be involved in and/or observe so much of the intrigue. I've already added the sequel to my TBR list.

I just got my copy from the library today and I already love the first page! I won't be able to start reading for some days as I have too many other commitments - but I'll get it done!

I read this about a year ago and loved it, loved it.
If you're just beginning it, you have a treat in store.

I don't have "time" to read this (my summer book list is full) but I'm definitely going to put this one on my ever-growing TBR list ;) I wasn't sure it would be good but all of you guys are raving about it so it must be very good!

Ha ha Tasha. It does look a little dry. When I picked it up at the library the words 'musty old tome' sprang to mind but I'm encouraged by everybody's enthusiasm so I plan on starting it tonight after some very much needed cleaning.

Tasha, I know the feeling... My reading list is... outrageous. =\ I don't think that I'm going to get to this one, or even our other group read (does that make me a bad mod?) because I have so many obligations... *sigh*

Becky wrote: "Tasha, I know the feeling... My reading list is... outrageous. =\ I don't think that I'm going to get to this one, or even our other group read (does that make me a bad mod?) because I have so many..."

Becky - If it makes you feel any better, I'm a moderator, too, and I'm not reading any of our group books this summer because I'm concentrating on wrapping up a year-long challenge (Around the World in 80 Books).

Felina wrote: "Ha ha Tasha. It does look a little dry. When I picked it up at the library the words 'musty old tome' sprang to mind but I'm encouraged by everybody's enthusiasm so I plan on starting it tonight af..."

haha, I like that "musty old tome" description :) Let me know what you think once you start it.

Felina wrote: "Ha ha Tasha. It does look a little dry. When I picked it up at the library the words 'musty old tome' sprang to mind but I'm encouraged by everybody's enthusiasm so I plan on starting it tonight af..."

I had the same reaction, Felina, but once I started reading I was hooked, and was a lot more interesting than it looked!

This is so on my To Read list, and I definitely want to get around to starting it by next week. I have to finish The Eagle and the Raven first. And I have to write a 6-page final paper over the weekend. I'm not quite done with my Ancient Rome kick and this looks perfect.

I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it by July 15th, however. Depending on how much schoolwork I become inundated with for my second summer course (starting Monday) and how I, Claudius is written, it may take me a while. As a general rule of them, the denser the prose, the longer it takes me to get through. From hitting 'surprise me' a few times on Amazon, it doesn't seem too murky. I look forward to discussing it here whenever I complete it.

Okay when I first started this book I was scared that I had made a big mistake. Seemed disjointed and kind of boring. But I stuck with it and was reading it on a plane to Iowa and I don't remember the take off or the child that was screaming. I notices mid flight that I had some water and cookies and I remember my mom telling me to put down the book and get off the plane. Very captivating.

This is a great follow up to Cleopatra's daughter. I'm only 50 pages into this book but it's given a great insight into Octavian/Agustus and Livia. I'm in love with ancient Rome right now.

Anybody else have a sneaking liking for Livia, as awful as she is? She may be a ruthless ambitious murderess, but she did have style . . .

Ha ha your alone there Kate.

Kate - I tend to agree. You have to admire her single-minded ruthlessness and ambition for her sons.

Just began. My original copy is currently being treated for mildew odors as when I opened it I started sneezing. Found another copy at the thrift store - no odor - thank heaven but am only a few pages into it.

Got my copy from the library... also noticed it was a movie :) but probably not the same... looking forward to start reading...

I am loving this book. I decided to buy a used copy off Amazon so I could mark it up. I had it expedited so I'm looking forward to that. :)

I am enjoying this book. I saw the mini series years ago but had never read the book. I like the gossipy way he tells the stories of the people in his life. I have a question for the group, however. Why do you think Livia was so anti-Republic? Was it just for the power? Just curious especially with the current events of today....

May not finish by July 15, but glad I bought it. I was wary for the first 2 chapters, but I am thoroughly engrossed...from one person with a disability to another (Claudius). We shall overcome.

I'm about 100 pages in and still not totally compelled to keep reading. Am going to try to finish by July 15 though!

Becky, don't know where to post this (rather new to the group) so may I post this here?
How do I nominate a book for one of the group reads?
I suggest Mistress of the Art of Death.
Thanks.Mistress of the Art of Death

Holly, Usually when its time for nominations for the next group read the Mods will make a new thread and you can nominate there. Usually happens a week or so before the 15th.

I really like this book but got swept away with The Passage. I could never resist the undead. I fully intend to jump back in as soon as I finish that one.

Felina wrote: "Holly, Usually when its time for nominations for the next group read the Mods will make a new thread and you can nominate there. Usually happens a week or so before the 15th."

Thanks, Felina

I just suggested this title in another thread... you can tell I've been out of touch... this was a really great read but I agree that it was a hard start.

Kate wrote: "Anybody else have a sneaking liking for Livia, as awful as she is? She may be a ruthless ambitious murderess, but she did have style . . ."

Livia is easy to hate, but when you remember the world in which she was trying to survive, can you really blame her? In the actual history, she was once forced to flee with her son from Octavian's army, before they were married. I like to think that she decided at some point that when all was said and done, she was never going to flee from anybody again.

This is going to be a dumb question but which I, Claudius are you all talking about? I don't know which boook to pick up! :P