Memoirs of Hadrian: And Reflections on the Composition of Memoirs of Hadrian (Penguin Modern Classics)

This book is justifiably renowned. It tells in the first person the life of Emperor Hadrian, the one who organised the building of the famous wall between England and Scotland, among other things. Miss Yourcenar's historical knowledge illuminates the story but not in a dry way. We are privy to Hadrian's thoughts and opinions and he comes over as very much a man of his times but also as a sympathetic charismatic man. One of the other things he was famous for is his great gay love affair with the beautiful young man, Antinous. Hadrian made him immortal by commissioning a multitude of busts and statues of this youth so that hundreds of years later his face is more familiar than that of more famous people of his time. It is made clear that Antinous was not the only gay relationship Hadrian enjoyed but it was the one which made the most impact. In dying young Antinous became immortal as an example of beauty and gay love. This love is described delicately and poignantly. The reader feels as bereft as Hadrian. In the book Hadrian acknowledges that if Antinous had not died when and as he did time might have allowed their love to subside into affectionate friendship...or it might not. The power of the narrative is in this honesty of thought. Lost love cannot be tarnished or grow less...it remains at full power. Hadrian goes on with his life but Antinous never truly leaves him for he can see him in memory and dreams, perfect as he was in life. This is a book you can read again and again. The insight into the Roman world of that time is endlessly fascinating. I recommend this book unreservedly.

If you wish to have a quick, easy and even amusing dip into the era of the late Roman empire - this is not the book for you. If you want to know the facts of battles, constructions, bloodlines and courtly intrigues (which there were plenty, accession of Hadrian wasn't quite so straightforward as we see it through Hadrian's/Yourcenar's eyes) - this is not the book for you. There are other books to read if this is what you are after (say Lindsey Davies' Falco series).As someone said in the comments below - this is rather a philosophy book set in historical era, an era that Yourcenar knew very well (I believe she spoke Latin and ancient Greek fluently). It's historically impeccable (even if it doesn't go on about battles) but you can sense the tensions and ideals of mid 20th century in the book set in the 2nd century. Writing a "ghost biography" limits how much you can say about a person so it limits how many different story lines you can keep going and limits analysis of different aspects of Hadrian (he was no saint) but this is not a flaw in the book as the biggest beauty of the book lies in Marguerite Yourcenar's prose. She worked on the book for 10 years and in the sentences became tense with meaning while appearing deceivingly simple. You want to slow down and absorb this book. It is like the most excellent wine you unexpectedly find (not to diminish the book or aggrandise the wine) - you just want to savour it until the end.

When suddenly, at midnight, you hearan invisible procession going bywith exquisite music, voices,don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,work gone wrong, your plansall proving deceptive—don’t mourn them uselessly.As one long prepared, and graced with courage,say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t sayit was a dream, your ears deceived you:don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.As one long prepared, and graced with courage,as is right for you who proved worthy of this kind of city,go firmly to the windowand listen with deep emotion, but notwith the whining, the pleas of a coward;listen—your final delectation—to the voices,to the exquisite music of that strange procession,and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.

I have a choice. Either I start an essay on this book or I just resign myself to few words. Probably I will go for the second option, for your own benefit. I read it when I was 16 and it is still my livre de chevet, even if I have spent a whole life reading great books which would probably fit the necessary criteria for a much more profound endorsement. Hadrian lived in the II century, when the pagan gods did not exist any longer and Christianity was not an acknowledged religion yet, a unique moment in western history when humans lived alone, and Hadrian was the emperor of these men. No other writer could have expressed the sheer humanity of that time and of this unique leader better than the sharply intelligent Marguerite Yourcenar.

I can't remember reading this before. i very much enjoyed it. beautifully written. a little over-the-top in places.

WonderfulA fresh look at the Ancient World which is based around, as most books on the topic do not, the inner thoughts and experiences of a successful Roman, who ended his life as emperor. A caveat - having recommended it to several people, it is not for everyone - some people found it far too longwinded, and weren't prepared to explore, as it were.

Oh what a superb book! I can't believe it took me so long to discover it. I was actually in tears at the end. Incidentally this isn't a book for people who want adventure & excitement. It's totally introspective and really gets the reader into Hadrian's thoughts & emotions. Highly recommended.

This authoress devoted her life to understanding Hadrian and the time in which he lived and it effortlessly shows in this splendid book, written in the style of an autobiography by the great man himself. Not many so-called 20th century classics deserve the name of classic, but this one does.