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I Am Livia Phyllis T. Smith

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I Am Livia

Phyllis T. Smith

I Am Livia Phyllis T. Smith

Her life would be marked by scandal and suspicion, worship and adoration…

At the tender age of fourteen, Livia Drusilla overhears her father and fellow aristocrats plotting the assassination of Julius Caesar. Proving herself an astute confidante, she becomes her father’s chief political asset—and reluctantly enters into an advantageous marriage to a prominent military officer. Her mother tells her, “It is possible for a woman to influence public affairs,” reminding Livia that—while she possesses a keen sense for the machinations of the Roman senate—she must also remain patient and practical.

But patience and practicality disappear from Livia’s mind when she meets Caesar’s heir, Octavianus. At only eighteen, he displays both power and modesty. A young wife by that point, Livia finds herself drawn to the golden-haired boy. In time, his fortunes will rise as Livia’s family faces terrible danger. But her sharp intellect—and her heart—will lead Livia to make an unbelievable choice: one that will give her greater sway over Rome than she could have ever foreseen.

I Am Livia Details

Date : Published May 1st 2014 by Lake Union Publishing (first published March 22nd 2011) ISBN : Author : Phyllis T. Smith Format : Kindle Edition 391 pages Genre : Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction

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From Reader Review I Am Livia for online ebook

Elena says

Livia, wife of Caesar Augustus, has suffered a bad reputation. By many historians, she has been considered a ruthless, power-hungry woman, who poisoned half of her husband’s family, and maybe even Augustus himself. Still, I have always greatly admired her, probably because I can’t help but love powerful women in ancient history. In I Am Livia, Phyllis T. Smith finally does Livia justice, giving a sympathetic but not too biased portrayal of this enigmatic woman.

Livia comes across as a very intelligent, competent, determined woman, with many admirable traits but also some defects which only make her more realistic and human. While her main priority is always the safety and peace of Rome, she is also interested in securing her personal power, which I found completely understandable. She is not ruthless, but she is very shrewd, and she is also a very skilled manipulator when she needs to. But again, these less positive traits only made me love her more. There wasn’t a single moment where I despised her.

Augustus, or Tavius as he is called by Livia, is of course a secondary character compared to his wife, but he is still a wonderfully complex and fascinating individual. Historically, he is a very ambiguous figure, both ruthless and magnanimous, and Smith did quite a good job capturing his opposites traits. He isn’t always likeable, but overall he is consistent and realistic, and overall I loved him almost as much as I loved Livia.

Predictably, since I adored both of them, I also absolutely loved their relationship. While not bereft of physical attraction, it is mostly an affinity of mind and character. It is evident from their interactions that they are two kindred souls who are just meant to be together. And, while their relationship is not overly romanticized, there are also some unexpectedly emotional scenes. I am not ashamed to say I was tearing up a little (view spoiler)

The secondary characters are not overly featured but I still found the majority of them very well drawn. Apart maybe from Mark Antony, none of them is completely good or bad, but they are realistically complex individuals.

Concluding, I had a wonderful time reading I Am Livia: it is a captivating story full of memorable characters, which every fan of historical fiction will surely enjoy. Highly, highly recommended.

Emily says

This book does NOT do Livia justice. She was one of the most powerful women in Roman history - and probably world history, as well - so I have trouble believing that the thinly sketched protagonist of this novel has any relation to the woman who becomes the first Augusta of Rome.

I think I'm a little put out because a) I really want a novelization of Livia's rise to power, b) this somehow manages to make Octavian into a golden YA hero which is awful (he was a snake in the grass let's get real!!!), and c) oh my god Livia you are SO BORING IN THIS BOOK HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. However, I'd also argue that it is well-nigh impossible to write an account of the years in which Caesar is assassinated and Antony is defeated in only 60 pages. This book is a little less than 400 pages long, and Livia lived for over eighty turbulent years. There is no possible way to do justice to her in such a short book.

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Basically, the woman in this book is a naive child who likes "politics" (hilariously flattened into good and evil here), and I don't think she bears any relation to the woman who, while six months pregnant with someone else's child, convinces Octavian to divorce his wife and marry her, granting her the power to co-rule the empire. I mean, come on. I'd rather read about Livia as the stereotypical evil stepmother than this Livia.

I did appreciate that was a dick, though. FACT: Cicero is always a dick.

Rio (Lynne) says

3.5 stars. This was an audiobook. It wasn't heavy and I'm not an expert on Livia, but I believe this was a good way to get familiar with her. Most women were forgotten in this time period, because men wrote the history books, but as Emperor Augustus' wife, no one can deny she left her mark on Rome. This covers her childhood, marriage to Tiberus, then Tavius, up to The Battle of Actium aka Marc Antony and Cleopatra's demise. I enjoyed this story. How powerful was she? I believe a lot, but we will never know. If you're interested in this era, I'd recommend this for light reading or listening.

Laura says

Livia in an absolutely fascinating historical figure, and this book really doesn't do her credit. She both annoyed me and bored me, and the heart of this novel was essentially a . Obviously, her relationship with Augustus is hugely important and the reason she could wield so much power, but there wasn't enough on her relationship with her sons and her ambitions for them. It felt more like a teen romance than a biography of one of the most powerful women in the Roman Empire.

And unfortunately her romance with Augustus is rushed and overwrought. They fall in love almost instantly (which, granted, may be historically accurate) so it's hard to root for them. I didn't feel the depth of emotion they were supposed to have for each other. And it doesn't help that their relationship is written in such a hyperbolic way: "Looking at him was bliss beyond bliss" and "I wanted to be with him more than anything else in the entire world." It's just over the top romantic drivel.

I will give credit that the book is fairly historically accurate. It's not like Philippa Gregory's books thankfully. But at the same time, Livia deserves a more mature, engaging book, not something that feels so YA romance.

Nicole~ says

3.5 stars The history of ancient Rome, in general, has cloaked the women of the Caesars in shadows and obscurity. Undoubtedly, these women are worthy of greater attention; their stories are fascinating in their own right, and rife with intrigue and scandal. Livia Drusilla (58 B.C.- 28 A.D.) was extremely charitable to the cause of orphans and provided relief support to victims of disasters. She was privy to affairs of state and had the ear of "the ruler of the world." She has been viewed as the most powerful woman in the history of ancient Rome and was deified as a goddess after her death. Livia was described by her grandson in I Claudius (1934) as: both "remarkable and abominable," and one of

PDF File: I Am Livia... 4 Read and Download Ebook I Am Livia... the worst of the ancient Claudian family of Rome. Robert Graves's Claudius leaned to the beliefs that she was shrewd, cunning and responsible for poisoning many who crossed her path to power. Contemporary historians dispel this idea, finding these accusations baseless - a fair sentiment which Smith achieves in I am Livia by portraying her in a more judicious light.

To be appreciated as a woman, and also to be appreciated as a creature with a mind --what more could I have wanted?

The novel's similarity to I Claudius is its autobiographic-fictional device, used in this case, to tell the historical events starting from the murder of Julius Caesar to the last Civil War. Smith's work however, skims the surface of historical details and their significance in shaping the Empire, focusing more on the characters' relationships, specifically, the woman behind the man.

Any woman who says she does not want to guide the actions of the man she loves, is in my opinion, lying.

Readers get to see the developing inner machinations of an astute, intuitive woman, viewing Livia as a young, out-spoken daughter of a nobleman, as a teen-bride, a wife to a Caesar and mother to a dynasty - a woman who could capably exercise influence over Caesar Octavianus, in her mind, "for the good of Rome" ; whose political savvy and sound advice were probably her husband's greatest assets. I can't claim to know much of ancient Roman history (a paucity I regret and look forward to remedy), so it was a little confusing for me with all the key figures (who bred like rabbits), their offspring, extended family members and/or adopted heirs with same or similar names. It is for this reason that I would have liked to see a genealogy map. Trust me, this is important! In the mean time, for those of like-mind, I am Livia is an enjoyable prompter to pulling out those ancient history books.

Generous marks to Phyllis T. Smith's I am Livia for a very good start (there's a follow up in the works). twelvejan [Alexandria] says

2 mehhhh stars

I LOVE historical fiction. Ever since Kate Quinn brought Ancient Rome to life with her Mistress of Rome, I knew I've got to search out for more tales that detailed the history of ancient Rome. In spite of having seven other HFs in my "twelvejan's 12 semi-fictitious Historical Novels Challenge" to read, I decided to be wild and picked up something else. My instincts failed me this time.

With Wikipedia as my guide, I started I Am Livia. And I feel terrible saying this, but I found the information on Wiki a hell lot more interesting than this book. Fascinating subject matter, insipid writing. I had recently finished Mary Renault's The Persian Boy, and I could not help myself but compare the writing style. I am only human, and I judge. There is so much beauty and richness in how Renault writes; carefully chosen words that formed a lyrical story of Alexander the Great. The language used in HF should allow the reader to 'time-travel' back to the ancient civilisation. But with I Am Livia, it feels like I'm reading a contemporary romance. Well, at least the one where the characters all have fancy ancient names. For instance,

"Are you sleeping with Caesar Octavianus?"

"Am I what?"

"Sleeping with him."

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"Why are you asking me such a question?"

"I've heard talk."

"From whom?"

"From the women at the market."

It feels like a typical conversation between two girlfriends at a Ladies' Night. Terms like 'menses', and 'pillow talk' have no place in historical fiction. Ever.

It is only natural for tales of famous and notable historical figures to be spread across several books. Their lifetime accomplishments possibly surpass the accomplishments of 10 Average Joe and 10 Plain Jane combined. While I enjoy a fast-paced book, to force the life of Livia Drusilla into 376 pages is simply absurd. The Battle of Actium, the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic, a naval engagement between Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra on 2 September 31 BC (according to Wiki), was simply condensed into pages and pages of correspondence between Tavius and Livia. That's just lazy in my opinion; a quick way to end the story.

Conclusion: If I had picked this up first instead of Mistress of Rome, I might never discover this hidden love for historical fictions.

Sarah (Presto agitato) says

“If his oddity and mine did not take precisely the same form, still the edges of one seemed to fit those of the other, like two sides of a split piece of pottery.”

Caesar Octavianus Augustus and Livia Drusilla were the original power couple. During the course of a marriage that lasted 52 years, Augustus seized and consolidated power from the crumbling Roman republic to become Rome’s first Emperor. He defeated his rivals, ending the civil wars that took place after Julius Caesar’s assassination, and extended the Empire through conquest. He also squashed any hopes of Rome returning to a Republican government. The Senate that rejected the idea of Julius Caesar as a dictator eventually gave Augustus unprecedented power, deeming him “First Citizen,” a title that now seems more than a little ironic.

Caesar Octavianus Augustus - just a citizen like everybody else

Throughout all of these events, Livia was by his side. She was around fourteen or fifteen when she married her first husband, Tiberius Claudius Nero, a man she divorced five years later to marry the up-and-coming young Octavian. By all accounts she was as much a trusted adviser to Octavian Augustus as a wife, exerting tremendous influence behind the scenes.

Perhaps it’s not too surprising that this woman, who managed to convince her first husband to attend her second wedding, even giving her away in the ceremony, has had a dubious reputation. She is probably best known from Robert Graves’s wonderful novel and later miniseries I, Claudius, much of which is based on

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Suetonius’s The Twelve Caesars. Graves depicts her as something of a villain, a scheming and heartless she- wolf who wields the real power behind the throne. There is also a nagging little question as to whether or not she poisoned Augustus when she was ready for her son Tiberius to take over. She’s not exactly the most sympathetic character in history.

Livia Drusilla

In I Am Livia, Phyllis T. Smith gives a very different view of Rome’s first Empress. She lets Livia tell us her story. Make no mistake, this Livia hasn’t suddenly become a shrinking violet. Intelligent and analytical, she knows what she wants,

“Of course I wanted to control Tavius - to an extent. And to our mutual benefit, and the benefit of Rome. Any woman who says she does not want to guide the actions of the man she loves is, in my opinion, lying.”

But this Livia is human, too. She suffers doubts about marrying Augustus, fears for his safety in war, and the personal grief of being unable to bear a living child with him. She wants what she thinks is best for Rome, but at times this puts her on the wrong side of her husband, not the safest place to be. Her position and influence make her a target of gossip and innuendo during her lifetime (and in the nearly 2,000 years afterwards). The politics of the early Roman empire are a dangerous game, one even harder to play as a woman who isn’t supposed to be playing at all.

I Am Livia is a thought-provoking exploration into the mind of one of history’s most fascinating women. In I, Claudius, the fearsome Livia warrants a certain grudging respect. Here she earns sympathy. Her vulnerability makes her more likable, but she is above all a survivor.

Two thousand years later, the paint may be chipping, but the house of Augustus and Livia still stands (Rome - Palatine Hill)

Chris says

I recently saw Mary Beard give a talk about her new book. She actually referenced I, Claudius and the character of Livia. Because, you know, who doesn't love Sian Phillips.

Seriously, who doesn't?

So, in part, this book seems to be influenced by that BBC production of the Graves novel - though the Livia here comes across as a bit strong willed but a bit meh. In fact, the book is simply about her early life and leaves out the whole bit where Augustus becomes Augustus. It also becomes a bit soap operay and bit too I, Claudius without the fun bits.

It's not bad. It's just not great.

Mardel Fehrenbach says

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I downloaded I Am Livia as a part of the Kindle First program, and I read it immediately, finishing early this morning. I absolutely loved it. This is not surprising. I remember watching I Claudius with my parents in the 1970s, and later, when I read the books by Robert Graves, I loved them even more than the mini-series. I also devoured Colleen McCoullough's series of novels about ancient Rome. Livia has been much maligned in history, but I am not sure how much truth there is in these stories and how much is reactionary vilification toward a woman who lived outside the normal expectations for a woman of her age. This novel paints attempts to pain a more flattering portrait of a strong-willed and impetuous girl, a girl who has a sharp intelligence, a girl thrown into difficult circumstances, a girl who demands to be accepted for who she is without apology. It is not a difficult novel and I highly recommend it to people who like historical fiction with strong female characters.

Amy Bruno says

Livia Drusilla, wife to Caesar Augustus, mother of the Emperor Tiberius, ancestress to Emperors Caligula, Claudius, and Nero, and the first Empress of Rome is the subject of Phyllis T. Smith’s novel, I Am Livia. If you’re thinking that she sounds pretty intriguing I can assure you that she is!

As the daughter of a Roman Senator, Livia is incredibly intelligent and politically astute – a trait that comes in handy in later her role as wife and confidante of Caesar. Like most powerful women in history, Livia’s been given a bad rap. Smith’s Livia is not necessarily what you would call a “schemer”, but more a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. Her marriage with Caesar was both politically important, but also a true love match. They were married for over 50 years and their relationship is sweetly portrayed in the book.

All in all I was quite impressed by Smith’s ‘I Am Livia’. There were a few areas where the dialogue could have been a little stronger and less modern, and there were occasional info dumps, but I was greatly entertained and educated. Livia Drusilla was a woman before her time, a true inspiration for future Empresses, and a fascinating historical figure. I greatly recommend this novel to those who enjoy Ancient Rome and strong female protagonists.

I thank TLC Book Tours for including me on this tour and giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful historical novel.

More Historical Fiction Reviews at Passages to the Past! http://www.passagestothepast.com

Ana says

Livia Drusilla. The coolest, baddest bitch in all of Rome.

I wonder sometimes how I will be remembered. As mother of my country, as men call me to my face, or as a monster? I know the rumors none dare speak aloud. Some believe I am a murderess many times over.

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They envy me, and they hate my power. In Rome, a woman’s power, however circumspectly exercised, arouses revulsion.

Do I recoil when I think of him, my beloved? No. But I paid a price in my soul, for loving him.

Today I am called by the honorific Julia Augusta, but inside of me the girl Livia Drusilla still lives. Certainly, the decisions that girl made long ago shaped who I am now. It will take courage to remember the days when I was Livia Drusilla. I wonder if I can do it without flinching.

#StillABetterLoveStoryThanTwilight

Meg - A Bookish Affair says

"I am Livia" is a historical fiction tale of Ancient Rome that tells the story of Livia Drusilla, who moves in and out of the political circles of Rome. Told from Livia's own perspective, this book gives the reader a front row seat to an absolutely fascinating time. I really enjoyed seeing all of the political intrigue and romance of the time through Livia's eyes. My fellow historical fiction fans will really enjoy this tale with its fantastic detail.

I really liked Livia as a character. She was definitely one of the elements that really made the book for me. She is so smart and I loved that she was a book lover like I am. She realizes that the way that she moves in the political circles of the time is not something that is open to all women and she really takes advantage of her position. We get to see how she moves in and out of these circles and how she makes decisions that really change the way the politics of Rome move. This book definitely has a strong romantic element to it, which I loved reading about. Livia and Octavianus' relationship was really intriguing to me. I loved reading about them.

One thing that I really like about book blogging is that it has opened the doors to so many new doors for me. Before book blogging, I had read very few books set during the ancient time period. I am always happy to visit some place new. This book had some great armchair traveling in it. There is a lot of good detail there!

Overall, this is a great historical fiction story!

Liveta says

Perskai?iusi „Aš esu Livija“ iš karto ?sigijau nuosav?. ŠITAIP man patiko šis istorinis romanas! Troškau, kad knyga nesibaigt?, bet, kai teko užversti paskutin? puslap?, žinojau, kad j? skaitysiu dar ne kart?. Rekomenduoju ne tik istorijos m?g?jams, bet ir romantikams. Viskas taip gražiai persipyn?, ak, tiesiog puiki knyga!

Yolanda says

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I haven't been so sucked into a book in a long while. I received this book free from Amazon Firsts, and I've lost the entire day to it! I am a student of Roman art and culture and history, so this was a natural fit for me. I Am Livia tells the story of Caesar Octavianus from the point of view of his wife, Livia, in the form of a personal memoir. It was lovey to read, very well written, and faithful to what we know of that era (to the best of my knowledge). It was refreshing to read of a Roman woman as a rounded character, rather than a caricature deified or vilified by historians.

I really, really enjoyed this book. Bravo to the author; I will be looking for more works from her!

Laura says

This is the first novel written by Phyllis Smith.

The plot describes Livia Drusilla's life, being the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus by his wife Aufidia.

The book starts with the assassination of Julius Caesar. Her first marriage was with Tiberius Claudius Nero, her cousin of patrician status who was fighting with er father on the side of Julius Caesar's assassins against Octavian. She had two children, namely Tiberius and Drusus.

But her true love was the emperor Augustus but she wasn't able to produce an heir to his throne.

The book doesn't bring anything new to the well-known Livia's life: it depicts all facts which are described by Wikipedia.

Additionally, the writer doesn't employ the ordinary historical fiction's style of writing, on the contrary, this book is mostly a historical romance than anything else. For further details, please take a look at Twelvejan's review.

Livia's like was described in several other books such as: I Claudius, by Robert Graves and Antony and Cleopatra, the last novel in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

A movie, written by Eric Lerner, was made based on Augustus' life: Imperium: Augustus (2003), with Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling, Vittoria Belvedere. This movie is available at YouTube.

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