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Justinian
A Hugo Award-winner offers a fictional account of the violent reign of seventh-century Roman Emperor Justinian II, capturing the drama of his youthful rise to the throne, his expansion of Roman rule, and his eventual overthrow. Reprint.
640 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
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February 12, 2019
There is a certain delight in watching an absolute bastard wreck his way through the world. And there are few bastards more vicious and bloodthirsty than Byzantium’s despised Justinian II. If he hadn’t come from such an obscure period (and if the sources for him weren’t so poor and unflamboyant) I have no doubt he’d stand alongside Nero as a prototypical bad emperor.
It is odd to have this as the focus of a book though. Usually books that embrace depravity do so from a distance by following a (usually fictitious) protagonist who’s a font of virtue and ends up opposing the evil one. This book embraces the darkness and that may prove too much for some people. For my part I rather liked the change.
Justinian is basically what you get when you have an autocrat devoid of any restraint given ultimate power at an early age. From birth Justinian is allowed to do as he likes and his willful arrogance is even encouraged as it is seen as kingly resolve. So naturally when he comes to power he is cruel and malicious and sees himself and his needs as the only ones that matter. It’s actually so extreme a character flaw that he seems repeatedly and genuinely perplexed by why those he has wronged so cruelly exhibit such loathing for him (his conclusion is that its because they’re filthy traitors lacking loyalty).
The book is basically three separate parts. The first part is Justinian’s rise to power and first reign. Here we see a lot of his more positive traits. His piety is genuine if self-serving and his resulting willingness to keep all oaths is impressive if extreme. And everything goes well for some time. But eventually his bad traits overwhelm the good. He has a complete lack of empathy that’s so extreme that he genuinely can’t fathom why people whose lives he’s ruined turn against him. Isn’t he God’s viceregent to whom those filthy traitors owed all loyalty? He also refuses to listen to any counsel but his own. And when things stop going so well he can’t blame himself for his own mistakes and instead blames others. A great many others. Naturally his malice loses him the support he needs to rule.
The second part is the most interesting because it follows so closely the path of redemption we’re fed in myths and romances. The spoiled prince cast down and forced to live amongst the commoners. And the tropes are so powerful that Justinian is actually sympathetic and likable. His disfigured face and pitiful situation make it easy to feel sorry for him… if you forget why he was overthrown in the first place. And its easy to do so when he’s being so polite and moderate and struggling so hard against adversity. And his nerve is completely astounding. He’s not a man who feels the need to hide behind his servants.
Now after this comes the third part. In a conventional story this is where the restored prince learns the error of his ways and rules wisely and justly after his experiences among the common man. Justinian’s not having a bit of it here. A reign of terror beyond imagining is instead the order of the day. Now back in power he’s spitting blood at the mere idea that a single person who betrayed him might escape punishment. That devotion to honesty that seemed so noble before now becomes a nightmare as he works to fulfill his vow to let not a single enemy live. It really puts into perspectives the traits that we look for in a good exile, and Justinian certainly made a good exile. Courage, pride, determination, courtesy, charm... Justinian possesses all of these. And yet none of them mean a thing when it comes to ruling. By the end Justinian’s polished prose has become little more than the deranged ranting of a lunatic. And he has no one to blame for it but himself.
Byzantium is a culture not often captured in literature and there’s nobody better to do so than Harry Turtledove. He has a PhD in Byzantine history (I’ve read his thesis and wish he’d published it) and knows this era inside out. In fact, he’s actually published a translation of Theophanes, the main source for Justinian’s reign. Yet this is his only straight attempt to capture what life was like in Byzantine times. His Videssos novels are thinly veiled adaptations of genuine Byzantine history (specifically the reigns of Heraclius and Basil I) but there’s something special about actually having everything and one called by their real names. The world comes to life here, although only from a very narrow elite perspective, and we get a sense of what that civilization meant. These recreations of lost cultures are one of Turtledove’s greatest strengths and it’s put to good use here.
The book does have its problems. It’s too damn long for one thing (a common failing in Turtledove’s works). 3-400 pages is about as much as you can stand inside this man’s head but the book extends to over 700. But an even more serious problem is how the book is structured. The story is told from Justinian’s point of view but through an odd narrative conceit: Justinian wrote down his autobiography and entrusted it to his (only) friend and lieutenant Myakes. Myakes himself adds his commentary by means of a discussion with a Brother Elpidios as he rots in a monastery in his old age having been blinded and forcibly tonsured. Or at least his half of a conversation. Elpidios’ comments are never mentioned.
I’ve rarely seen a narrative frame work more poorly. It seems ill thought-out. For one thing, Myakes’ account clearly isn’t written down. It’s a transcript of his conversation with Elpidios in more or less real time. When placed in contrast to Justinian’s reflective narrative it blends very poorly. What’s more, the book isn’t divided into chapters and these interruptions as often derail the flow of the story as they enhance it. Stylistically, they’re a jolt from Justinian’s contemplative and angry account. In addition, the autobiography feels nothing like such a historical document would, containing too much that a contemporary would take for granted. This, however, is a common issue with this narrative technique, although it is made more glaring by the comparison with Myakes’ story. He makes it impossible to suspend disbelief regarding the autobiography as real or Myakes’ reactions as genuine experiences.
There’s no getting away from the frame, which is all-encompassing, but the story is compelling enough in spite of it that I consider it something of a triumph. There are so few books capturing Byzantine society that I feel naturally drawn to it anyway. And the stunning audacity of a true autocrat is amazing to watch from a detached perspective.
Anyone who liked this book may wish to check out his Hellenic Traders series. They're set in the Hellenistic Era (300s BC) and similar in their devotion to accuracy.
It is odd to have this as the focus of a book though. Usually books that embrace depravity do so from a distance by following a (usually fictitious) protagonist who’s a font of virtue and ends up opposing the evil one. This book embraces the darkness and that may prove too much for some people. For my part I rather liked the change.
Justinian is basically what you get when you have an autocrat devoid of any restraint given ultimate power at an early age. From birth Justinian is allowed to do as he likes and his willful arrogance is even encouraged as it is seen as kingly resolve. So naturally when he comes to power he is cruel and malicious and sees himself and his needs as the only ones that matter. It’s actually so extreme a character flaw that he seems repeatedly and genuinely perplexed by why those he has wronged so cruelly exhibit such loathing for him (his conclusion is that its because they’re filthy traitors lacking loyalty).
The book is basically three separate parts. The first part is Justinian’s rise to power and first reign. Here we see a lot of his more positive traits. His piety is genuine if self-serving and his resulting willingness to keep all oaths is impressive if extreme. And everything goes well for some time. But eventually his bad traits overwhelm the good. He has a complete lack of empathy that’s so extreme that he genuinely can’t fathom why people whose lives he’s ruined turn against him. Isn’t he God’s viceregent to whom those filthy traitors owed all loyalty? He also refuses to listen to any counsel but his own. And when things stop going so well he can’t blame himself for his own mistakes and instead blames others. A great many others. Naturally his malice loses him the support he needs to rule.
The second part is the most interesting because it follows so closely the path of redemption we’re fed in myths and romances. The spoiled prince cast down and forced to live amongst the commoners. And the tropes are so powerful that Justinian is actually sympathetic and likable. His disfigured face and pitiful situation make it easy to feel sorry for him… if you forget why he was overthrown in the first place. And its easy to do so when he’s being so polite and moderate and struggling so hard against adversity. And his nerve is completely astounding. He’s not a man who feels the need to hide behind his servants.
Now after this comes the third part. In a conventional story this is where the restored prince learns the error of his ways and rules wisely and justly after his experiences among the common man. Justinian’s not having a bit of it here. A reign of terror beyond imagining is instead the order of the day. Now back in power he’s spitting blood at the mere idea that a single person who betrayed him might escape punishment. That devotion to honesty that seemed so noble before now becomes a nightmare as he works to fulfill his vow to let not a single enemy live. It really puts into perspectives the traits that we look for in a good exile, and Justinian certainly made a good exile. Courage, pride, determination, courtesy, charm... Justinian possesses all of these. And yet none of them mean a thing when it comes to ruling. By the end Justinian’s polished prose has become little more than the deranged ranting of a lunatic. And he has no one to blame for it but himself.
Byzantium is a culture not often captured in literature and there’s nobody better to do so than Harry Turtledove. He has a PhD in Byzantine history (I’ve read his thesis and wish he’d published it) and knows this era inside out. In fact, he’s actually published a translation of Theophanes, the main source for Justinian’s reign. Yet this is his only straight attempt to capture what life was like in Byzantine times. His Videssos novels are thinly veiled adaptations of genuine Byzantine history (specifically the reigns of Heraclius and Basil I) but there’s something special about actually having everything and one called by their real names. The world comes to life here, although only from a very narrow elite perspective, and we get a sense of what that civilization meant. These recreations of lost cultures are one of Turtledove’s greatest strengths and it’s put to good use here.
The book does have its problems. It’s too damn long for one thing (a common failing in Turtledove’s works). 3-400 pages is about as much as you can stand inside this man’s head but the book extends to over 700. But an even more serious problem is how the book is structured. The story is told from Justinian’s point of view but through an odd narrative conceit: Justinian wrote down his autobiography and entrusted it to his (only) friend and lieutenant Myakes. Myakes himself adds his commentary by means of a discussion with a Brother Elpidios as he rots in a monastery in his old age having been blinded and forcibly tonsured. Or at least his half of a conversation. Elpidios’ comments are never mentioned.
I’ve rarely seen a narrative frame work more poorly. It seems ill thought-out. For one thing, Myakes’ account clearly isn’t written down. It’s a transcript of his conversation with Elpidios in more or less real time. When placed in contrast to Justinian’s reflective narrative it blends very poorly. What’s more, the book isn’t divided into chapters and these interruptions as often derail the flow of the story as they enhance it. Stylistically, they’re a jolt from Justinian’s contemplative and angry account. In addition, the autobiography feels nothing like such a historical document would, containing too much that a contemporary would take for granted. This, however, is a common issue with this narrative technique, although it is made more glaring by the comparison with Myakes’ story. He makes it impossible to suspend disbelief regarding the autobiography as real or Myakes’ reactions as genuine experiences.
There’s no getting away from the frame, which is all-encompassing, but the story is compelling enough in spite of it that I consider it something of a triumph. There are so few books capturing Byzantine society that I feel naturally drawn to it anyway. And the stunning audacity of a true autocrat is amazing to watch from a detached perspective.
Anyone who liked this book may wish to check out his Hellenic Traders series. They're set in the Hellenistic Era (300s BC) and similar in their devotion to accuracy.
March 29, 2017
This book is a must for those who like the murder,plot,sex,scandal,power kinda story (in other words like game of thrones or LJ Traffords books) The story is told in the format of a fictional autobiography of Justinian II interspersed with commentary from myakes Justinian's loyal friend who gives his private views on certain things that Justinian is talking about at that time in his autobiography and what he thinks of certain religious things and the emperor of his present time.In this gripping novel we see justinian from childhood -his death at the hands of those he struck fear into who had enough of his tyrannical regime.Although justinian isnt a nice guy but you understand why he feels like he can order people around and act so ruthlessly.He is character whos shaped by his experiences and upbringing so through that you can understand why in his view he does certain things.Justinian is an interesting character although one of the worst rulers in history.I personally unlike most people felt sympathy for him at a few times and more times i felt scorn towards him.Justinian is a brutal tyrant he refuses to listen to peoples advice many times and pays the price for it on several occasions.Dont worry if you dont know much byzantine history as the book tells you the history it needs you to know . In a way i was sad to finally finish the story for the characters felt so real and their portrayal so vivid but in another way im glad ive finished the long ,bloody and hard going tale of the enigma that was Roman Emperor Justinian II of the house of Heraclius 6th of his family to rule the empire.
April 27, 2011
A good read, kept me interested, but not exceptional. The subject of the book is a nasty piece of work, so hard to connect with it. But some good insight into a corner of history I was not familiar with.
July 31, 2021
This is the latest novel I've read in furtherance of my Fictional Understanding of Byzantium and Rome (FUBAR) studies project which I undertook after reading Fidler's Ghost Empire back in January 2018. Unfortunately, I'm a lazy scholar and refuse to read (unless there is no alternative) dry histories or boring biographies of historic figures. Fortunately there are hardworking authors such as H.A. Culley, Robert Graves, Stella Duffy and Richard Blake to do the heavy lifting and then present me with well researched stories of blood, guts, passion, and fire conjured from their well educated imaginations.
The aforementioned writers have guided me through the lives and times of Constantine the Great, Belisarius, Justinian the Great with Theodora, and Heraclius.
Now I've found Harry Turtledove to dish the dirt on Justinian II of the house Heraclius -the sixth of his family to rule the empire. Since Turtledove has a PhD in Byzantine history and has actually published a translation of Theophanes, the main source for Justinian’s reign, he is well qualified to tell the tale.
Turtledove tells this story in three separate parts. The first part is Justinian’s rise to power and his first reign. Here I imagine a character similar to Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus in Gladiator. This Justinian isn't a nice guy but you come to understand that he is a product of his upbringing and environment. As a child he is allowed to do whatever he pleases and his willful arrogance is even encouraged as it is seen as kingly resolve. No wonder that when he ascends the throne - after his father dies of diarrhea having consumed bad fish sauce - he is so self-centered and malicious.
Yet, Justinian is able to coast along on the accomplishments of his predecessors for a few years. Then military set backs and prodigious spending force him to overtax everyone in the empire from senators down to the lowliest hod-carriers. He refuses to blame himself for his own mistakes and instead blames others. Eventually his malice loses him the support he needs to rule. Finally a disgruntled army officer is able to overthrow him and Justinian loses both his crown and his nose.
Incongruously, the Justinian I visualize in the second part looks like Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey from Captains Courageous. Except Freddie has a big hole in the middle of his face. Here we have the story of the spoiled prince cast down and forced to live amongst the commoners. This Justinian is actually sympathetic and likable. His disfigured face and pitiful situation make it easy to feel sorry for him, and his pluck and resolve to regain the throne make him easy to admire. I found myself cheering for him to succeed. He fights though a legion of honest-to-goodness cut-throats and traitors (to include his new Khazar brother-in-law) to win through.
The Justinian of part three does not learn from the error of his ways nor does he rule wisely and justly after his experiences among the common man. Instead he goes bat-shit crazy like Jay Robinson's Caligula of The Robe and its sequel Demetrius and the Gladiators. He institutes a reign of terror to bring humiliating and painful death down upon anyone who might have been part of deposing him. When his faithful followers demur, he turns upon them.
Even Justinian's dialog devolves over time -- capturing him going from a self-centered megalomaniac to a madman insane with vengeance and paranoia:
Turtledove has presented a compelling tale and brings life to the behavior of psychopath as well an obscure period and place. It is a must for those who enjoy court intrigue, graphic violence and sex, and the examination of absolute corruption caused by absolute power.
The aforementioned writers have guided me through the lives and times of Constantine the Great, Belisarius, Justinian the Great with Theodora, and Heraclius.
Now I've found Harry Turtledove to dish the dirt on Justinian II of the house Heraclius -the sixth of his family to rule the empire. Since Turtledove has a PhD in Byzantine history and has actually published a translation of Theophanes, the main source for Justinian’s reign, he is well qualified to tell the tale.
Turtledove tells this story in three separate parts. The first part is Justinian’s rise to power and his first reign. Here I imagine a character similar to Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus in Gladiator. This Justinian isn't a nice guy but you come to understand that he is a product of his upbringing and environment. As a child he is allowed to do whatever he pleases and his willful arrogance is even encouraged as it is seen as kingly resolve. No wonder that when he ascends the throne - after his father dies of diarrhea having consumed bad fish sauce - he is so self-centered and malicious.
Yet, Justinian is able to coast along on the accomplishments of his predecessors for a few years. Then military set backs and prodigious spending force him to overtax everyone in the empire from senators down to the lowliest hod-carriers. He refuses to blame himself for his own mistakes and instead blames others. Eventually his malice loses him the support he needs to rule. Finally a disgruntled army officer is able to overthrow him and Justinian loses both his crown and his nose.
Incongruously, the Justinian I visualize in the second part looks like Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey from Captains Courageous. Except Freddie has a big hole in the middle of his face. Here we have the story of the spoiled prince cast down and forced to live amongst the commoners. This Justinian is actually sympathetic and likable. His disfigured face and pitiful situation make it easy to feel sorry for him, and his pluck and resolve to regain the throne make him easy to admire. I found myself cheering for him to succeed. He fights though a legion of honest-to-goodness cut-throats and traitors (to include his new Khazar brother-in-law) to win through.
The Justinian of part three does not learn from the error of his ways nor does he rule wisely and justly after his experiences among the common man. Instead he goes bat-shit crazy like Jay Robinson's Caligula of The Robe and its sequel Demetrius and the Gladiators. He institutes a reign of terror to bring humiliating and painful death down upon anyone who might have been part of deposing him. When his faithful followers demur, he turns upon them.
Even Justinian's dialog devolves over time -- capturing him going from a self-centered megalomaniac to a madman insane with vengeance and paranoia:
“Emperor, not all the children are dead. The soldiers and sailors saved some, because they were so young, you understand, to sell into slavery, and—” “They did what?” I said, and the messenger turned pale. “They did what? They disobeyed my direct order? They ignored the will of the Emperor of the Romans? Have they gone mad?” Miserably, the man said, “I don’t think so, Emperor. It’s just that—killing children is hard, even for soldiers with orders. If they were slaves—” “Fools!” I shouted. “Blunderers!” I bellowed. “Idiots!” I screamed. “Is it so hard for them to do as they are told? No more, no less? Is it so hard?” I hit the messenger in the face. He staggered back, clutching at his mouth with both hands. “Answer me!” I roared.
Turtledove has presented a compelling tale and brings life to the behavior of psychopath as well an obscure period and place. It is a must for those who enjoy court intrigue, graphic violence and sex, and the examination of absolute corruption caused by absolute power.
March 12, 2022
This is an interesting historical fiction offering, written by Harry Turtledove with a pseudonym, charting the story of the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian II Rhinotmetus (the slit-nosed), who qualifies as one the crazier of the crazy Byzantine Emperors. Mind you, I get the craziness of the second reign. I'm not sure I'd be best pleased with people who had cut my nose off.
The novel tells the tale of this Emperor by interposing a narrative featuring Justinian himself as the author, interposed by the reactions and additions of a fictional guardsman and loyal supporter of Justinian who corrects the main story from the prospect of twenty years later In the course of the story, we see various luminaries and future emperors appear and disappear from the story. The story itself is compelling and largely based on the Byzantines sources. That makes sense because Turtledove was studying Byzantine history before he because a sci-fi/fantasy writer.
The narrative itself is very much in Turtledove's style and is compelling. The fictional guardsman, Myakes, is a standard Turtledove hero- sensible, brave, loyal. Justinian, well, Justinian, he's a mess-spoiled, entitled, brilliant, stubborn, proud and ultimately crazy for revenge (again, not sure I'd be in a good mood if someone chopped my nose off). The story watches Justinian's first downfall, his recovery and his ultimate self-destruction in sometimes painful detail. Justinian is not an easy character, but he is vivid and is a study of a person undone by his faults. In that sense, he is a bit of a tragic hero.
This is book is worth reading and I enjoyed it a lot. A knowledge of Byzantine history is helpful, but not essential for reading this. But it is a fascinating story and an interesting reconstruction.
The novel tells the tale of this Emperor by interposing a narrative featuring Justinian himself as the author, interposed by the reactions and additions of a fictional guardsman and loyal supporter of Justinian who corrects the main story from the prospect of twenty years later In the course of the story, we see various luminaries and future emperors appear and disappear from the story. The story itself is compelling and largely based on the Byzantines sources. That makes sense because Turtledove was studying Byzantine history before he because a sci-fi/fantasy writer.
The narrative itself is very much in Turtledove's style and is compelling. The fictional guardsman, Myakes, is a standard Turtledove hero- sensible, brave, loyal. Justinian, well, Justinian, he's a mess-spoiled, entitled, brilliant, stubborn, proud and ultimately crazy for revenge (again, not sure I'd be in a good mood if someone chopped my nose off). The story watches Justinian's first downfall, his recovery and his ultimate self-destruction in sometimes painful detail. Justinian is not an easy character, but he is vivid and is a study of a person undone by his faults. In that sense, he is a bit of a tragic hero.
This is book is worth reading and I enjoyed it a lot. A knowledge of Byzantine history is helpful, but not essential for reading this. But it is a fascinating story and an interesting reconstruction.
Read
July 19, 2013The novel is related as a first person chronicle of the emperor himself. A largely fictional imperial guard has managed to save Justinian's personal codex before emperor is killed. Now blind and living in a monastery, he has another monk read the brutal tale while occasionally breaking in to offer commentary and, maybe, necessary relief from the increasingly paranoid ravings. Like earlier Byzantine emperors, Justinian II managed to keep the dream of the Roman Empire alive into the 8th century, long after the decline of Rome. His presiding over the Quinisext (Fifth-Sixth) church council, continued the trend of division between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman churches. This was not easy reading, partly because it feels like I am listening to the constant ravings of an extremely arrogant megalomaniac. I was relieved at the end.
February 10, 2020
Props for a story about a lesser-known figure in a lesser-known time. Although the details about the historical atmosphere weren't quite enough to put me there, I am still thinking about the book and wishing it had gone on longer, which is a good sign. I'm not so sure I got to know Justinian as a person in the novel, but the events were covered well and I'm eager to learn more of the history.
February 3, 2021
Very well-written historical novel. I didn't know much about the Byzantine (eastern Roman) Empire. Turteltaub did a good job of weaving historical facts of real characters with fictional accounts of their thought processes and motivations. He explains in the back of the book in "historical notes" where he derived his facts. Very impressive.
June 6, 2022
An astonishingly good read. "Write what you know," and he did, and he makes it interesting, and amusing, and horrifying. I'm not into Byzantine history, but this makes it more more intriguing. Great characters, vivid descriptions, plot twists (if you don't already know the history.) Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 22, 2013
I didn't enjoy this one. None of the characters were in the least bit sympathetic and there was too much detailed description of vulgarity, child rape, etc. I love the time period and the author is obviously knowledgeable about it, but this is not my cup of tea in the least.
November 26, 2012
thoroughly enjoyed this read
August 26, 2018
The style may not be for everyone, but it's history as much as fiction and a wonderfully living version of Theophanes and Nikephoros' accounts of the life of Justinian II.
May 26, 2016
An excellent and evocative look into the mind of a despot.
October 25, 2021
First of all, I love Turteldoves books, I've read more than fifty of them. I usually enjoy his way of narrating a story from the point of view of several main characters. I must say that I was searching for this book for quite a long time and when I finally got it I was really looking forward to reading it.
Although, I must admit that I originally thought that book told a story of Justinian I. whose deeds , and those of his most famous general Belisar, were nown to me thanks to Procopius of Caesarea's History of teh Wars.
But when I started reading the book I found out It was a semibiography of Justinian II. told by his faithful (and only) friend and captain of his guard I was a bit disappointed but in the end I gave it a chance.
Overall I didn't really enjoy the book. Turtledove's style of narrating a story is quite different from most of his books, characters are not likeable and the book in its length because it tends to be boring. The book starts being enjoyable when we see Justinian's return to power which is ultimately, and unfortunately, his descent into utter madness when he can't tell friend from foe and even lashes againts his second (nomad) wife.
When you look back at all his depravities you realize that in the end he even got what he got away quite lightly.
So that's why It took me almost a year to finish the book.
Although, I must admit that I originally thought that book told a story of Justinian I. whose deeds , and those of his most famous general Belisar, were nown to me thanks to Procopius of Caesarea's History of teh Wars.
But when I started reading the book I found out It was a semibiography of Justinian II. told by his faithful (and only) friend and captain of his guard I was a bit disappointed but in the end I gave it a chance.
Overall I didn't really enjoy the book. Turtledove's style of narrating a story is quite different from most of his books, characters are not likeable and the book in its length because it tends to be boring. The book starts being enjoyable when we see Justinian's return to power which is ultimately, and unfortunately, his descent into utter madness when he can't tell friend from foe and even lashes againts his second (nomad) wife.
When you look back at all his depravities you realize that in the end he even got what he got away quite lightly.
So that's why It took me almost a year to finish the book.
March 10, 2018
A great story, largely based on a truly remarkable and brutal tyrant. Justinian II is largely forgotten except by medieval historians, but his fall, rise, and fall again from the throne of the Romans -- with or without a nose -- is quite an achievement. N.B. That smasher of pretty icons, Constantine V, may be one more, but he never truly lost the throne.
The flow of the book is a bit odd -- it is a reading from Justinian's journal to a blinded monk, Myakes, who was Justinian's right hand man throughout his life. The chapter break ups are convenient for quick reading sessions but interrupt the narrative of the story. What is really cool is how the writing devolves over time -- capturing Justinian going insane with vengeance and paranoia. Author Turteltaub provides some scenes you can't help but remember for their cruel, particularly the scene of what happens to Helias's family and wife, which, according to available records, is largely true.
The flow of the book is a bit odd -- it is a reading from Justinian's journal to a blinded monk, Myakes, who was Justinian's right hand man throughout his life. The chapter break ups are convenient for quick reading sessions but interrupt the narrative of the story. What is really cool is how the writing devolves over time -- capturing Justinian going insane with vengeance and paranoia. Author Turteltaub provides some scenes you can't help but remember for their cruel, particularly the scene of what happens to Helias's family and wife, which, according to available records, is largely true.
October 9, 2021
This is a very interesting book, and by that I mean it’s absolutely harrowing and, at times, very hard to read. Given that that’s exactly what it was aiming for, it’s done a good job. This tells the story of a slow descent into utter madness and depravity, all based on (though certainly not accurate to, the author is very plain with that) a true story. While it gets too slow for my taste at times, this is definitely one I’d recommend for somebody looking for dark historical fiction, but only for the strong of stomach.
January 9, 2023
Gross, miserable, astonishingly repetitive, filled with epithets to a degree I have never before seen in professional writing, and peopled exclusively by the most instantly repellent characters I've ever encountered.
Impressively unpleasant all around.
Impressively unpleasant all around.
Read
October 11, 2019.hn!
July 22, 2020
Maybe I'm not into historical fiction anymore... Justinian did this and then that... There were a few new things I learned about Constantinople and the time period yet it felt lack luster to me
June 15, 2022
too cocky
August 26, 2024
The man not the book was awful which made the book hard work.
March 25, 2017
very good book on Justinian II loved how it was written and lot of interesting facts on the byzantine history of this time
July 12, 2014
Historically interesting but the writing was not what I like. Written mostly from the first person perspective of Justinian he told the tale of his pampered life as a child, his rise to power, exhile, how he gained his empire back and how he lost it. I feel the book could have been shortened to 300-400 pages instead of the full 600 as some content was repetitive and redundant but I am not the biggest history buff. Historically interesting if you like this time period and like to read of kinds being overthrown and winning their empire back.
November 9, 2025
While readers may struggle to identify with this controversial emperor, they will undoubtedly be intrigued by his elaborate schemes for revenge and the dark edges of his psyche. The fate that ultimately befalls Justinian remains a tantalizing mystery, inviting readers to embark on this richly woven journey through the trials and tribulations of his life—from the innocence of childhood to the bitterness of his end. Each detail is meticulously crafted, ensuring that the story remains enthralling and compelling. Full review you can find on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com
October 4, 2011
vivid historical detail,great blend of fact/fiction
June 18, 2013
loved it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews