There's always time for a book - The great read returns!

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I had so much fun reading and blogging about Rebecca that I'm taking part in The Big Read II at Bookshelves of Doom. I'll be away for the last part of the reading schedule, and can't even promise to post frequently in the first couple of weeks, but I'll give it my best.

We're reading I, Claudius by Robert Graves, with today's portion being chapters 1-3. I admit this isn't a book I probably would have picked up on my own. I sure didn't vote for it. I'm a bit over Roman history, and the boring cover on my copy isn't doing the story any favours. But when I read the first lines, I relaxed a bit:

I, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you with all my titles) who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as "Claudius the idiot", or "That Claudius", or "Claudius the Stammerer", or "Clau-Clau-Clau Claudius", or at best as "Poor Uncle Claudius"...

I don't know if it's the Bujoldian echoes of Ivan-you-idiot but I liked the tone. Claudius goes on to say he is writing his life's story as a record for those who will read it in 1900 years time (according to the local prophet). These first chapters are tales of his parents and grandparents, and various intrigues that feature many a divorce and poisoning. The scene is set for a novel full of intrigue and drama!

There started to be a real tangle of Roman names by the end of chapter three - I hope I can remember them all across the course of the month - one of the problems of slowly reading when you have a poor name memory!

Tags: books, graves, historical

	From: emerald_happy	Date: March 3rd, 2008 08:16 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I don't know if it's the Bujoldian echoes of Ivan-you-idiot but I liked the tone

LOL! I thought of Ivan too!

	From: emerald_happy	Date: March 3rd, 2008 08:18 pm (UTC)		(Link)

i mean, when i read your quote. i haven't read the book. incidentally, Bujold said once that the most fanmail she gets asks what will happen to Ivan. I thought it was hilarious that he was pretty much the only one who stayed single in ACC and everyone seems to want to poke fun at him more, apparently.

also, when is Easter and is it too early for above icon?

	From: emmaco	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:20 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Great minds/obssessed fans think alike!

Easter is only 2 1/2 weeks away. Icon is perfectly appropriate :)

	From: emmaco	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:21 pm (UTC)		(Link)

	From: dorianegray	Date: March 3rd, 2008 09:17 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Oh, you're in for a treat. "I, Claudius" is a wonderful (if biased) look at that era of Roman history, really well written and easy to read. I love that book. I hope you enjoy it too.

	From: emmaco	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:21 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Thanks for the encouragement, even if it does make holding back on the reading ahead harder :)

From: philia_fan	Date: March 3rd, 2008 09:21 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I was reading Leila's post on it earlier and wondering if I could read it without hearing Derek Jacobi's voice narrating. Not that that's such a bad thing.

	From: emmaco	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)

...has everyone seen this miniseries but me?

From: philia_fan	Date: March 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Probably only those of us of a certain age.

	From: steepholm	Date: March 3rd, 2008 09:22 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I like "Rober Graves"! It's a wonderful book, anyway, as is its sequel. (You've seen the old BBC series? If not, do - but not until you've finished the novels!)

	From: emmaco	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:23 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Thanks for pointing out the error, even if I now am tempted to leave it as Rober, which is a much cooler name!

No, I know nothing about this story (well, except general Roman history stuff). I think I'll be after the miniseries afterwards, though, as you're not the first to recommend it.

	From: steepholm	Date: March 3rd, 2008 10:34 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Oh yes, if you haven't seen the series (not so much of the mini, as it's 10 hours long) then do: arguably it's the best historical drama the BBC ever made. Well, I would argue that, anyway. Jacobi as Claudius was pretty amazing - but John Hurt as Caligula freaked me out good and proper!

From: philia_fan	Date: March 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Not to mention Patrick Stewart WITH HAIR as Sejanus!

	From: leilathegreat	Date: March 4th, 2008 01:28 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I admit it. I watched a clip on YouTube that featured Patrick Stewart. Is that really his hair? It's got to be some crazy wig. Right? Even if it isn't, I'm going to go ahead and pretend it is, because I found it somewhat disturbing.

From: philia_fan	Date: March 4th, 2008 03:45 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I don't see how it could possibly be his hair, though I don't know for sure. It looks pretty fake to me.

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