In the book, yourcenar creates a vivid and historically accurate portrait of the 2ndcentury roman empire under hadrian s rule. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Goodreads members who liked memoirs of hadrian also liked. Marguerite yourcenar has 117 books on goodreads with 86189 ratings. Author of over twenty books of which hadrian is her acknowledged masterpieceshe was the first. In the form the narrative is a fictional autobiography written by the roman emperor hadrian 768 a. Framed as a letter from the roman emperor hadrian to his successor, marcus aurelius, marguerite yourcenars memoirs of hadrian is translated from the french by grace frick with an introduction by paul bailey in penguin modern classics. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. I read this book because there is a group read in the 1001 books group. The language is exquisite, and that in an english translation this book will only appeal to a few discerning minds. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar is a work of historical fiction. The story is told from hadrian s own point of view when he is an old man looking back on his life and is.
Recommended by numerous educational institutions recommend us, including oxford university, michigan state university, and university of minnesota. It should be required reading in liberal arts college course. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar the 211th. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yournecar is a classic historical novel detailing the life and reign of the roman emperor hadrian, as told from the firstperson pointofview of hadrian himself. Recorded from memoirs of hadrian, and reflections on the composition of memoirs of hadrian translated from the french by grace frick, in collaboration with the author. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar, translated by grace frick 1954 week 8. Memoirs of hadrian is a timeless historical novel that describes the life and accomplishments of the great roman emperor hadrian and the impact he had culturally on western civilization. Youll be amazed and mystified by the beauty of the writing. It is a beautiful, poignant work that is meticulously researched. Marguerite yourcenar 19031987 was the author of more than twenty books, of which memoirs of hadrian is her acknowledged masterpiece. Yourcenar really inhabits the mind of the emperor as he passes on his story to his chosen successor.
On the second leg of our librivox world tour, lets stay in the southern hemisphere. Hadrian and the triumph of rome audiobook by anthony. A short piece written having in mind marguerite yourcenars novel and how hadrian emperor remembers his childhood. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar book analysis. Ancient history encyclopedia receives a small commission for each book sold through our affiliate partners. Memoirs of hadrian fsg classics book ancient history. Find books like memoirs of hadrian from the worlds largest community of readers. In it, marguerite yourcenar reimagines the emperor hadrian s arduous boyhood, his triumphs and reversals, and finally, as emperor, his gradual reordering of a wartorn world, writing with the imaginative. Marguerite yourcenars book memoirs of hadrian is definitely one of those novels that i can appreciate without having enjoyed. Books by marguerite yourcenar author of memoirs of hadrian. Memoirs of hadrian, and reflections on the composition of memoirs of hadrian.
Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar, paperback. Pretty funny girl podcast youtube power hour podcast. Further to the east from australia, we encounter south and central america, which well explore with 10 gems from our catalog. It sounded interesting, a first person narrative of the roman emperor hadrian who was emperor in the 2nd century. Review if you want to know what ancient roman really means, in terms of war and religion and love and parties, read memoirs of hadrian. This book was especially entertaing and thought provoking while we were in the midst of the current political campaigns.
Both an exploration of character and a reflection on the meaning of history, memoirs of hadrian has received international acclaim since its first publication in france in 1951. Buy memoirs of hadrian second edition by yourcenar, marguerite isbn. Memoirs of hadrian is a classic that should be more wellknown. Hadrian s memoirs is described by its author as a psychological novel and a meditation on history. Marguerite yourcenar is one of the most acclaimed writers of the twentieth century. The novel is narrated by the legendary roman emperor hadrian, and is formatted as a letter to hadrian s successor and adopted grandson, marcus aurelius. Purporting to be the personal observations of the emporer hadrian, he looks at mankind with a clear eye. Editions of memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar. Both an exploration of character and a meditation on history, marguerite yourcenars classic novel, memoirs of hadrian, has received international acclaim since its initial publication in france in 1951. In it, marguerite yourcenar reimagines the emperor hadrian s arduous boyhood, his triumphs and reversals, and finally, as emperor, his gradual reordering of a wartorn world, writing with the imaginative insight of a. I received the book memoirs of hadrian today and have been immersed deeply. Acclaimed british historian anthony everitt delivers a compelling account of the former orphan who became roman emperor in a. Listen to hadrian and the triumph of rome audiobook by anthony everitt.
Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar powells books. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar book cover, description, publication history. Yourcenars memoirs of hadrian has often been called a historical novel, but strictly speaking it is not, since it rejects the use of local color, period dress, and period customs found, for. Hadrian s one of my favourite roman emperors and i would love to see a movie done. The narrative is told in a letter written by the protagonist to. Memoirs of hadrian is a novel by the french writer marguerite yourcenar about the life and death of roman emperor hadrian. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar 77 words. It is very clear how much work yourcenar book into the book, in which hadrian, a roman emperor tells his life story via a letter. Memoirs of hadrian audiobook on cassette, 1987 worldcat.
The author describes the book as a meditation upon history, but this meditation is built upon intensive study of the personal and political life of a great and complex character as seen by himself and his contemporaries, both friends and. And reflections on the composition of memoirs of hadrian penguin modern classics new ed by yourcenar, marguerite, bailey, paul, frick, grace isbn. Memoirs of hadrian by marguerite yourcenar librarything. Listen to hadrian and the triumph of rome by anthony. Marguerite yourcenars most popular book is obolul visului. In it, marguerite yourcenar reimagines the emperor hadrian s arduous boyhood. There were aspects i really enjoyed in the book, but there were also some elements lacking for me. Top 10 inspirational hadrian quotes, enjoy our hadrian quotes collection. In her magnificent novel, marguerite yourcenor recreates the life and death of one of the great rulers of the ancient world. Chatting about the highs and lows of books i read in august and questioning the importance of readability in book prizes. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In it, marguerite yourcenar reimagines the emperor hadrian s arduous boyhood, his triumphs and reversals, and.
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