Review: AUGUSTUS — A novel by John Williams
By John Williams (Author of the novel ‘Stoner’ and Winner of the National Book Award in 1973)
Augustus tells the story of Octavius, the sensitive and introverted nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. On the death of his uncle, Octavius finds himself heir to the vast Roman empire, and at the young age of nineteen is confronted with civil strife as a result of Caesar’s murder. The question arises: how will Octavius establish his power in a period of severe political turmoil, as well as put down the obstacles of such men as Cicero, Brutus, Cassius and Mark Anthony. Octavius (Augustus) is burdened with the weight of an empire, and is plunged into a life where even those he has come to trust may deceive him. This book both manages to convey the astounding nature of Augustus’ political control in a credible and factual way; whilst also maintaining a personal and in-depth view of his life. The relationship of Augustus and Julia, his daughter renders a tender and sensitive aspect to the book, as Augustus supervises her education at a time when it is unusual for a woman to be given any schooling. As the book progresses the reader is immersed in the tragic and grief-stricken way in which Octavius has come to live, as he survives the death of all his fondest friends and family, and is forced to imprison and exile his daughter. Ultimately, the book by use of the epistolary form, — fictional memoirs, dispatches and letters allows Williams to create a far more in-depth and realistic view of the life of Augustus. The nature of the epistolary form, means that the book maintains an immediacy and contemporary feel, which mimics the life of the sophisticated Romans, and allows — quite literally — the characters to speak for themselves. The book is littered with memorable aphorisms, which have universal and lasting meanings, for example, Julius Caesar says regarding his nephew: “He is a man like any other… he will become what he will become, out of the force of his person and the accident of his fate”
Augustus is one of the most quotable and profound novels, that encompasses all crucial aspects of a transcendent novel: tragedy, coming of age, heroism and love. This is a book that manages to create: “a fascinating portrait in an extraordinary time of a complicated private and public man” — Economist
Do you have a suggestion for a future topic? Do you have an idea to share with your friends? Send us a message and follow the Durham University Classics Society on Twitter (@DUClassSoc) and Facebook (@DUClassics Society) to keep up with this blog and our other adventures!
