John Williams – Augustus – Comment.

The Washington Post heralded Augustus as the finest historical novel written by an American. This statement of opinion is debatable on many levels. First, the genre of historical novels, many teachers hammered into me early in life, as something to avoid. When studying history, read historians and certainly not fiction writers. There were two "historical" novels that I've found informative and entertaining. Gore Vidals, Julian and Marguerite Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian. See comment: Articles, Essays & Consideration: Marguerite Yourcenar – Memoirs of Hadrian - Review .Yourcenar of course is French, and Vidal is American. See comment: Articles, Essays & Consideration: Julian- Gore Vidal- A Review Both novels, including William's Augustus, are likely the best of the best in this genre. Yourcenar wrote a curious comment on the genre:

"Time itself has nothing to do with it. It is always surprising to me that my contemporaries, masters as they consider themselves to be over space, apparently remain unaware that one can contract the distance between centuries at will." (276)

In all three novels mentioned, send this reader back in space in time as if I was a curious spider on the wall unseen and listening in silence. 

Augustus was the 'chosen' son and heir to Julias Caesar. After Caesar's brutal assassination by his close friend's and colleague's, the 19-year-old Octavius (Augustus) far from Rome received word of his adoptive father's death, and the infamous political machinations of Roman politics began. 

There are many lessons in this novel regarding power, love for one's country, close friendships, family, and living by one's principles. August was the first Roman Emperor who ruled from 63 BCE to 14 CE establishing a united Roman Empire and Pax Romana. He is described as slight in stature, fair with piercing blue eyes. He managed to navigate through lies and backstabbing, attempted assignations, and the "betrayal" of his beloved daughter, Julia. 

The most interesting and valued relationship of Augustus was with his daughter. She was his intellectual equal and sacrificed her personal life for the good of her father and Rome. The end of their relationship can be viewed as quite tragic. 

At the end of the book, we gain a greater insight into Augustus Caesar, as he writes to his friend Nicolaus of Damascus, contemplating his long life of 76 years. I found this section to be quite moving. 

Augustus is written in the epistolary form – fictional memoirs, dispatches, letters and poems. Don't this let put you off, as William's excellent prose drags you right into the story. 

An excellent read.