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Memoirs of Hadrian FSG Classics Marguerite Yourcenar Grace Frick Books

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Memoirs of Hadrian FSG Classics Marguerite Yourcenar Grace Frick Books

This brilliant historical novel tells a fascinating story, in beautiful language, with much wisdom. The novel is formed as an autobiography of the Emperor Hadrian, who ruled Rome from 117CE to 138; he was one of the "Five Good Emperors" who helped bring Roman civilization to its highest point. Hadrian was complicated. Politically, he was a good emperor from a Roman point of view, but other nations (like the Jews) saw him very differently. Personally, he was disciplined and intelligent, but fell passionately in love with a young boy, and could be cruel. The book, framed as a letter to Marcus Aurelius, who succeeded him twenty years after his death, takes Hadrian from his boyhood in Spain to his deathbed in Italy at 62.

The novel is beautifully written, in prose that captures the cadences of classical Roman writing. It is studded with perceptions and insights, as such a memoir would have been; I found myself underlining points as if it were an original text. The story is compelling -- how does it feel to be ruler of the world, and then to lose that which you hold most dear -- and the characters are fully developed. The novel took many years to write, and was based on exhaustive research -- Ms. Yourcenar, in an afterward, discusses what was known and what she made up, but it hangs together as a work of art. A great book, and a great pleasure to read.


Tags : Amazon.com: Memoirs of Hadrian (FSG Classics) (9780374529260): Marguerite Yourcenar, Grace Frick: Books,Marguerite Yourcenar, Grace Frick,Memoirs of Hadrian (FSG Classics),Farrar, Straus and Giroux,0374529264,Historical - General,Literary,010102 FSG Paper,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Literary,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction-Coming of Age,Fiction-Literary,FictionHistorical - General,GENERAL,General Adult,Historical General,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945),United States,Western Europe,YOURCENAR, MARGUERITE - PROSE & CRITICISM,roman historical fiction; historical fiction rome; historical fiction roman empire; ancient historical fiction; ancient world historical fiction; historical fiction; historical novels; literary fiction; literary novels; literary books; contemporary fiction; contemporary novels; contemporary literature; french fiction; french literature; french authors; antiquity; classics; roman history; world literature

Memoirs of Hadrian FSG Classics Marguerite Yourcenar Grace Frick Books Reviews

A beautifully written novel. The detail given of this time period was incredible. One almost believes that Margaret Yourcenar was alive and lived the life of this period. The details of the various locations that Hadrian lived were very educational. Now I certainly appreciate the challenges of this time period.
Hadrian was revealed as a wise and intelligent ruler with great administrative abilities. A movie of this book would be very interesting to see. I am surprised that no one has made it yet. Maybe it would be very controversial especially with regard to Palestine.
I received the book "Memoirs of Hadrian" today and have been immersed deeply. What a find! What a treasure! I was amiss for not having discovered it sooner. The language is exquisite, and that in an English translation!!! This book will only appeal to a few discerning minds. It should be required reading in liberal arts college course. It teaches with depth and yet it is so contemporary. So timeless. I will treasure this book and will pass it on to people who I can trust to return it to me -) we need more books like this!! So much these days is fluff or murder and mayhem. This nourishes the soul. Thank you for letting me find it!!
This is a great novel, and I might add, a great novel about two men in love with one another....written by a woman.

The love story of Hadrian and Antinous will never die out of human memory, and Marguerite Yourcenar is testimony to that fact.

Other reviewers have already pointed out the superb scholarship that went into the making of this book, the excellent writing, and all the rest.

I only have one question why are the best tales of male love written by women? It seems to be a very odd situation in general, men are the most famous writers, but in the niche of male love, we find such writers as Anne Rice, Mary Renault, Marguerite, and now the "gay manga" from Japan -- stories of male love written for girls! By women!

Well, I am puzzled, but I am not about to look a gift-horse in the mouth. This book, along with "The Last of the Wine" and "The Persian Boy," are among the most moving and excellent novels ever written.

Unless, of course, you find history to be a bore.
I've read it a few times because anyone I know who has read it told me it's probably the best book they have ever read. Very interesting, revealing and beautiful.
Memoirs of Hadrian is a classic that should be more well-known. Yourcenar really inhabits the mind of the emperor as he passes on his story to his chosen successor. It is a beautiful, poignant work that is meticulously researched. You'll be amazed and mystified by the beauty of the writing.
I don't even know where to begin when describing this book. If you enjoy classical history, and you are curious about Hadrian, it is unmatched. The book is written in a style that is analogous to those used by Roman philosophers and historians of the period. It, therefore, seems like you are reading a real first person account of Hadrian's life. It is also an extremely interesting meditation on what it means to be human. I terrific book; one that I will read again.
A jewel of a book, bringing together philosophy, and history as seen through the eyes of an emperor. While not an easy read, it is one of the most satisfying books I've read in a long time. Yourcenar is simply brilliant the combination of her deep research into the life of Hadrian, with her credible (and very human) interpretation of his thoughts and ideas on statesmanship, art, justice, and philosophy, based on that research, is stunning. It's been a long time since I sat with pen in hand, underlining passages that I found to be beautifully written and worthy of further thought.
This brilliant historical novel tells a fascinating story, in beautiful language, with much wisdom. The novel is formed as an autobiography of the Emperor Hadrian, who ruled Rome from 117CE to 138; he was one of the "Five Good Emperors" who helped bring Roman civilization to its highest point. Hadrian was complicated. Politically, he was a good emperor from a Roman point of view, but other nations (like the Jews) saw him very differently. Personally, he was disciplined and intelligent, but fell passionately in love with a young boy, and could be cruel. The book, framed as a letter to Marcus Aurelius, who succeeded him twenty years after his death, takes Hadrian from his boyhood in Spain to his deathbed in Italy at 62.

The novel is beautifully written, in prose that captures the cadences of classical Roman writing. It is studded with perceptions and insights, as such a memoir would have been; I found myself underlining points as if it were an original text. The story is compelling -- how does it feel to be ruler of the world, and then to lose that which you hold most dear -- and the characters are fully developed. The novel took many years to write, and was based on exhaustive research -- Ms. Yourcenar, in an afterward, discusses what was known and what she made up, but it hangs together as a work of art. A great book, and a great pleasure to read.