Claudius the God

By: Robert Graves

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Read in the style of a secret diary, this famous sequel to I, Claudius gives a wry and human view of the Roman world, bringing to life some of the most scandalous and violent times in history.

Claudius has survived the murderous intrigues of his predecessors to become, reluctantly, Emperor of Rome. He recounts his surprisingly successful rule; how he cultivates the loyalty of the army to repair the damage caused by his nephew Caligula; his friendship with the Jewish King Herod Agrippa; and his invasion of Britain.

Yet beneath the surface, Claudius' good fortune is under threat. With the growing paranoia of absolute power, and his young wife Messalina causing trouble, how long can Claudius survive?

©2009 CSA Word (P)2009 CSA Word

Critic Reviews

"Following Caligula�s murder, stammering Claudius becomes emperor, his belief in old republican virtues in conflict with his imperial role. Jacobi�s brilliant delivery of Claudius�s inner thoughts gives the latter a vital reality."( The Observer)

Second only to I, Claudius

Derek Jacobi's reading is exceptional. The story line is a direct follow-up to I, Claudius and second in quality and suspense. Perahps this is due to the abridging of this tome, but the abridged version here has characters that are not quite as interesting as the first three Emperors and Claudius' rise to power.

Still, the tension and back-stabbing nature of high power reads like today's headlines...war, rumors of war, myterious deaths, infidelities and a public that mainly wants its bread and circuses.

Maybe abridged is okay here?

I was a bit annoyed to see that this was only offered in abridged version, but after having heard it, I must say that perhaps it wasn't a bad decision. The story line does seem to wander in many different directions. However it is very well written and well read and did engage me. Pls note that, even if this is not published as a series, it is a continuaiton of "I Claudius"

Good historical fiction

If you have read I, Claudius then you will be pleased with Claudius the God. The reader, Derek Jacobi, also played the part of Claudius in the 1970s "tele-play" miniseries on PBS.

Excellent

I find the music between chapters and sections to be extremely annoying! The reading by Derek Jacobi, is wonderful.

Excellent listening

Marvelously read. I have been postponing reading the actual book and it was worth it

Great performance by Jacobi, but story grew dull

Definitely duller and more tedious than "I, Claudius," despite being abridged. I would not listen to this again. I struggled many days to stay interested in this book and would drop it, then return. But finishing it turned into a job, not a delight.

Grateful for the abridgement, because the book has too many useless side stories. Least interesting were his accounts of Herod and his campaign to take over Britain.

The abridged " I, Claudius" was fantastic and I sympathized with Claudius. But soon into "Claudius the God" I began hating Claudius and wanting him removed as Emperor. He quickly became a cruel tyrant who easily arrests and executes hundreds of people. Plus he was so stupid to easily and willingly trust his 2 cruel, scheming wives Messalina and Agrippina.

What most disturbs me is how PASSIVE and INDIFFERENT Claudius is to the crimes of himself, Messalina, Agrippina, and all else who take advantage of him.

He always excuses them as not his fault, claims ignorance, as inevitable, not his responsibility, etc.

That was fine when he had no power in the first novel and was always close to being killed. But as Emperor for 13 years, he was actively as cruel and brutal as his predecessors.

I had no empathy or sympathy for Claudius by 1/4 of the way into this book.

Will not read Robert Graves again. If you haven't heard the Audible 6 hour BBC version or watched the 1976 BBC TV versions of this tale, both starring Derek Jacobi, watch/listen to those. They are both riveting and superior to both these novels.

A big problem with Graves's novels is their lack of dialogue when significant events happen. The BBC TV and radio versions were much better due to this.

Worth a visit with your old friend Claudius

If you're a fan like me, and even think of old Claudius as a friend, you'll definitely enjoy a retelling of his reign. There are details that are not told in I, Claudius. It made me realize that perhaps they originally meant to have all this info in the first place, but edited for time? Things like Claudius and Herod writing each other a bunch of times, instead of the one sad time Herod writes near the end of I, Claudius. The info is even a little different at times like how Messalina's betrayal is dealt with. My only disappointment is that Derek Jacobi does not stutter as Claudius at all, the entire time. I understand that towards the end of his life, Claudius didn't stutter nearly as much, but come on, the Claudius we all know and love doesn't speak as smoothly as you and I do. Come on Derek Jacobi, what's the deal with that?! Still, I enjoyed the story.

Jacobi IS the voice of the Emperor Claudius

I saw the BBC/PBS interpretation as a kid. I've read "I, Claudius". When this audio book began, & I heard Derek Jacobi's voice, I was immediately transported to [the BBC rendition of] Ancient Rome. Mr. Jacobi's characterization of the Emperor Claudius as conceived by Robert Graves is OUTSTANDING.

The only problem was that it was too short

It was wonderful hearing Sir Derek perform this role again. I only wish it had gone on longer. There were some tidbits not heard from the BBC series, so that was fun. Highly recommended; I listened to it in almost one greedy gulp.

Awesome.

I've listened to this book and it's predecessor at least a half a dozen times. Derek Jacobi brings to life a somewhat dry text and makes it so interesting I never seem to tire of it.

Abridged, unfortunately, otherwise impeccable.

Unlike dramatised versions, like the BBC Radio 4 one I got earlier, Claudius's life as emperor gets space. He himself shows growing cynicism and weariness as the years go by; he becomes less self aware and more ruthless as time, disillusionment and betrayal take their toll. Whereas it's easy to see what Mary Beard means when she says that Robert Graves is responsible for Claudius's image as an avuncular and benign ruler, it would be fairer to say the BBC has given that picture, as this book portrays a more threatened, desperate, isolated ageing man, often misled and gullible, trapped in a nasty job with no retirement, but for a time at least coming to enjoy some of the perks of high office.

Perfect

I don't normally write reviews, but this really is a special audiobook. Derek Jacobi is sublime as a narrator, especially, but not exclusively, if you've seen him in the excellent BBC television version of I, Claudius.
I downloaded Suetonius's Twelve Caesars, also read by Jacobi, at the same time and I have to say, they make a combination that cannot be recommended too highly.
I haven't heard the unabridged version - I went straight for the one read by Jacobi - so I can't say which of those is better. I can say that you won't be disappointed by this one though.

Classic

Loved it I enjoy all things Roman and Derek Jacobi is a brilliant narator. Took me back to the fantastic BBC dramatisation. Pity this vesion wasn't unabridged.

entertaining and historical

really enjoyable tale of a genial Roman emperor, with a decent narration. cosy listening!

Fantastic

Absolutely fantastic. Haven't read this for many years and I cannot recommend enough this audio version

Thoroughly engaging!

Brilliant performance, thoroughly engaging, witty and dramatic. All the better for Jakobi's delivery. Highly recommend.

Amazing book and performance

If you, like me, were disturbed and intrigued by the television programme I Claudius I recommend this audio book. Narrated by Claudius himself, the delivery is perfect.

The Masterpiece Continued

The Emperor's life continues, if it is at all possible this book is even better than the first. I spent a lot of time listening to this book , when I should have been asleep. However it wasn't a waste of my time, not in the slightest.

Legit AF

What made the experience of listening to Claudius the God the most enjoyable?

Robert Graves has this way of making relatively boring history into the most thrilling thing ever.

What other book might you compare Claudius the God to, and why?

probably... I, Claudius....

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Probably the description of the battle in Britain, with the stalk or crane or w/e it was.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when his wife is just being this complete whore... poor Claudius.

Claudius The God

This is a beautifully written whimsical tale of the rule Claudius, the stammering, club footed child who no one dreamt was a threat but who succeeded Caligula by accident.His well meant rule was destroyed by his infatuation with his wife Messalina whose antics forced him to murder her. His part is played brilliantly by Derek Jacobi who portrays a spellbinding mixture shrewdness and naivety driving a ruthless tyrant.