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One of the best historical novels ever written is Memoirs of Hadrian (1951) by the Belgian-born French writer Madeleine ‘Maurice’ de la Sizeranne, Marguerite Yourcenar. The novel provides a moving—and imaginative—insight into the thoughts of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Its writing style, introspective letters, is a master class in historical fiction. The novel is also a thoughtful meditation on power, love, and the human condition.
Through the precision of her research and the elegance of her prose, Yourcenar pushes the story into the deepest recesses of Hadrian’s mind, enabling readers to feel there too, as if we were experiencing ancient Rome that long ago: Hadrian thinks, learns, senses, chooses, acts, and suffers. He appreciates the contours of landscapes, has an ear for languages, and wisdom for the politics of his time. He is a philosopher who aspires to sway Athens with his teachings, if only for the admiration of his lover. He thinks of marriage and becoming a father, and he gives himself completely to Antinous, whose death he mourns as both political unrest in Syria and a profound personal loss.
Memoirs of Hadrian transcends the boundaries of a traditional historical novel, offering a philosophical drama that delves into universal questions about leadership, the pursuit of peace, and the capricious nature of human mortality. Yourcenar’s portrayal of Hadrian as a complex and sympathetic hero, grappling with the demands of empire and his own humanity, adds a profound philosophical layer to the narrative.
Memoirs of Hadrian is a challenging read but well worth the effort. Yourcenar combines the rigours of historical authenticity with lyrical reflection while also demonstrating why the melancholy, conflicted, but generous-hearted emperor of her imagining continues to engage with 21st-century minds and hearts.
This is a great work of literature, offering a singular view of history and leaving an indelible impression on the reader. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, philosophy, and beautiful prose.
This is the best historical fiction I have ever read.