You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Discussion thread for I, Claudius by Robert Graves

It's super, smashing, great. really.

And for an unbiased opinion, I suggest you ask someone else. >;-) I read this again not so long ago, and will be popping in to see what you all think.

I agree with Helen, it's great read.
I most likely will finish it tomorrow.
Loved the bit when Caligula told Claudius how he as teenager visited the Jewish Temple. Oh, Jesus! :)

Please, Amyk, add "this topic is about" I want to see how other have rated this book!

Done on both anna

AmyK wrote: "Done on both anna"

Thanks!

I am reading this book this month; however, I am putting this book on my toppler list, I think. So I am going to wait until then to read it. I'll be back then to discuss.

"So, I’m Emperor, am I? What nonsense! But at least I'll be able to make people read my books now.”

Priceless!

BBC made TV series I haven't seen them yet but looks good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjKoWP...

Wow! Really an engrossing read! I had to look up a family chart on-line to keep all the people and relationships straight, though. So many marriages, divorces, adoptions, murders...

And Livia! Can you imagine having the energy to keep up that level of scheming well into your 80's???

Well put Michelle. We may now know where Mama Soprano got her name from. It is a very complex family tree. What I appreciated is the very personal voice of Claudius. You see his angst and his failings. You see how the pressures of power can change a person...

You can't like Livia, but you can't help admiring her for her extended life of scheming and control freakery. And the system worked while she was the power behind the throne, but that's the issue with what is in effect a dictatorship.

And yes, the family is most complicated. That and the fact that there are lots of very similar names and the addition of diminutives time and time again makes it difficult to keep track of who is who. A family tree does make it a bit easier to follow.

I'm pleased to see people giving it a go and enjoying it (thus far).

Just started I, Claudius this evening. I can already tell this is going to be good!!

E :) wrote: "Just started I, Claudius this evening. I can already tell this is going to be good!!"

I like your picture!

This was fantastic! One of the best books I have read all year!

and ty Anna :)

That's good to hear E:)
So glad you enjoyed it.

It's been so long since I read the book and I've watched the series several times. I can't remember if it's in the book or not, but I love Caligula's line upon finding that he was not the Christ after his death. He replies, "You could have knocked me over with a feather."

Not in the book

That's the second book, methinks. Claudius the God is the continuation after he becomes emperor. The TV series (with Derek Jacobi, if it's the classic 70s BBC version) was called I, Claudius, but was actually both books.

Caligula is murdered in the first book how could he talk in the second book?

Sorry, I misread Caligula as Claudius. (serves me right trying to browse from work)
Fairly sure that isn't in the text.

Part of me wants to read the second book ASAP to figure out what happens to ol' uncle Claudius, but I'm not sure that I want to drive into this knowing that it will be long & depressing. Did anyone read the second book and enjoy it??

Yes, I have read it, but I will admit to not enjoying it quite as much as I, Claudius. It's more of the same, really, only he's now in charge.

But most important, was Claudius able to make people to read his books?

Anna wrote: "But most important, was Claudius able to make people to read his books?"

LOL!!! He cannot MAKE me read his book, but I have added to my list. :)

I'm just starting this one. I hope to make a prett good dent in it today and tonight :)

Anna wrote: "Caligula is murdered in the first book how could he talk in the second book?"

LOL!! But hey, some books have ghosts so that would be a possibility I guess ;)

Tejas Janet wrote: "Anna wrote: "Caligula is murdered in the first book how could he talk in the second book?"

LOL!! But hey, some books have ghosts so that would be a possibility I guess ;)"

Or he was right and he was a god. :)

I know this hasn't been the most active thread, but I'm really pleased the people tried this book and seem to have enjoyed it. It's one of my all time favourites, and there's always a risk in recommending a book you love that some people just won't see what you see in it. And that's OK, we all see books individually, but does leave a burden of guilt that you've encouraged someone to read a book they didn't enjoy.
So thanks for giving it a go and I'm much gratified by the positive response. >:-)

Cool -- I'm adding it to my list to read. And I won't be mad or anything if I don't like it as much. I'll just feel happy to be able to share with you all, my online reading friends!

Helen wrote: "I know this hasn't been the most active thread, but I'm really pleased the people tried this book and seem to have enjoyed it. It's one of my all time favourites, and there's always a risk in recom..."

Helen -- I thought this was a great book, and one I never would have read if not for this book club. So...score!

Helen: I really enjoyed this too. I was having trouble at the beginning with all the "ius's" - and keeping track of who was who so I found a chart on the internet to help me keep track.( Just an aside: My neighbour named his cat Nero, so I was thinking of telling him my cat was named Claudius Drusis Germanicus Tiberius as a joke). I loved Livia, what a great scheming villianess. Thanks Helen - I enjoyed it.