I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith
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Pub Date May 01 2014 | Archive Date May 26 2014
Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing
Description
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.
Advance Praise
This highly polished and compelling story of ancient Rome is told by
Livia Drusilla, wife of Caesar Octavianus who defeated Marc Antony and
Cleopatra in the Battle of Actium. This Livia, however, treats herself
more kindly than history has done. She blithely waves away any
allegation about committing murder for political purposes. A champion of
women's rights, mostly her own, Livia reveals her manipulative and
politically cunning nature—something she may have acquired at her
father's knee, as he was among those who plotted the assassination of
Julius Caesar. The author offers a richness of historical detail, taking
us from Livia's early marriage to Tiberius Nero to her second marriage
to Julius Caesar's adopted son. Able to arrange events in her favor,
Livia persuades her first husband to give her away to Caesar even as she
prepares to deliver his second child. Seamlessly written, this novel
will appeal mightily to fans of historical fiction. —Publishers Weekly
"I Am Livia is a wonderful journey to ancient Rome that
provides amazing, thoughtful insight into one of its most influential
and unconventional citizens...Smith's Livia is such a dynamic character,
so approachably human, at times fearless and forceful but also merciful
and just...The historical backdrop of Rome becomes more accessible,
less academic, when seen through the lives of Smith's characters." —Historical Novels Review
"[Smith]
does a wonderful job of showing political upheaval through the eyes of a
young woman of important status living through it with full
comprehension of what is going on...Not only does Livia become a
sympathetic and inspiring protagonist, but, seen through Livia’s eyes,
Caesar Augustus becomes a flesh and blood man, brilliant, ambitious,
arrogant, and yet vulnerable. This book superbly mixes strongly
developed, emotionally complex characters with well-researched accurate
history. It humanizes historical figures that had, for me, just been
names on a timeline. I can’t recommend it highly enough." —Susan
Coventry, author of The Queen’s Daughter
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781477848821 |
| PRICE | $14.95 (USD) |
