Augustus cover art

Augustus

A Novel

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

By the author of Stoner, the surprise international bestseller

After the brutal murder of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, Octavian, a shy and scholarly youth of nineteen, suddenly finds himself heir to the vast power of Rome. He is destined, despite vicious power struggles, bloody wars and family strife, to transform his realm and become the greatest ruler the western world had ever seen: Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor.

Building on impeccable research, John Williams brings the legendary figure of Augustus vividly to life, and invests his characters with such profound humanity that we enter completely into the heat and danger of their lives and times.

(P)2023 Penguin Audio Ancient Biographical Fiction Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction Biography Rome War
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Set almost entirely around letters from the time, some got a droll effect seemingly unnecessary to story. Those that were about Augustus himself were really interesting.

Letters

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A very well narrated version of a brilliant epistolary novel by John Williams, one of my favourite reads of the year so far, highly recommended!

Augustus

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Roman history told through fictional “primary” sources. I am now a John Williams fan and will look for his other works.

History comes alive.

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A masterful work of historical fiction. Augustus makes you feel as though you’re truly living in the last days of the Republic and the rise of the Empire. Historically grounded yet rich with imagination, it blends fact and fiction seamlessly. Williams captures the cost of power and the humanity of Rome’s first emperor with elegance and depth. Everyone should read this.

Masterpiece

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