I, Claudius

I, Claudius

Synopsis

I, Claudius is a historical novel with a human focus. Written in the style of a secret autobiography, it concerns the thoughts and feelings of a historical figure who was largely isolated for much of his life until middle age. Fusing historical fact with speculative fiction, Robert Graves uses a tried and tested formula to create an original and moving work, which brings the human aspect to a listener's understanding of the life of the Roman Emperor Claudius. A political as well as historical work, the story mainly discusses the relationships between the ideas of liberty and stability within society, and which of them is best. Claudius is the perfect vehicle to use for examining such an argument, as, in his younger life, he was committed to all the ideals of liberty, whereas, in later life, he came to see the advantages, societal and personal, of stability. Claudius realises, in the tale, that although the most favourable state for a human being to live in should be free and liberated, the reality of such a situation means the onslaught of numerous civil wars and the de-stabilising of the fabric of society. Like Grave's other works, such as Goodbye to all that (also published by CSA Word), I, Claudius is a success because it is intelligent, historical and insightful, whilst retaining the charm of a plot and a narrative style that are joys to listen to.

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