Julian

As a historian, I tend to be wary of historical fiction: too often I've been disappointed or ended up with my blood-pressure going through the roof in rage. 'Julian' is different. It's one of the most accurate historical novels I've read (bar one or two minor errors of detail, such as stirrups, and where it's simply been overtaken a bit by research over the 50 years since it was written) and one of the best-written. It is, in short, enchanting.Flavius Claudius Julianus, the Emperor Julian the Philosopher, comes across in the novel as he does from his own writings and most biographies: a charming young Greek philosophy geek turned warrior, the only Roman Emperor who could be described as loveable. The co-narrators Libanius and Priscus are like a Roman-era Waldorf and Statler (remember them in 'The Muppets'?), bickering over his memoirs. Maximus is a sort of Merlin, an egregious fake, but loyal at the end. The characters are portrayed with wit and understanding; Julian's (fictional) ex-girlfriend is delightfully drawn, and the scenes between him and his ailing, older wife Helena are genuinely moving.But in the end, 'Julian' is a heart-breaking tragedy, all the more devastating because it is real, and because we are still living with the consequences (although Vidal's theory about who struck the fatal blow is necessarily speculative). I find it impossible to read the closing chapters without tears. With a novel about a documented historical character, whose fate is well-known, it can be difficult to maintain suspense or surprise, but with 'Julian', you find yourself hoping vainly that it will end differently each time you pick it up, begging him to recover, to save us from what lies ahead... All I can think of, is, "If only..." A light vanished from the world with "the little Greek", and we are still stumbling through the darkness, among what he called the 'charnel houses' of a dying god. Vidal echoes Arthurian legend at the close of the novel (and who, indeed, is 'le roi pécheur' but 'ho parabates'?), with the loyal Gauls believing that Julian is sleeping under the mountains, guarded by the dragon banners of the empire, and will return. Imperator quondam, imperatorque futurus? "If only..."

The sheer detail and exquisite use of the English language makes this an historical and literary feast for anyone remotely interested in the times and people portrayed. They are, one feels, described with consummate accuracy and as much historical veracity as is possible given the passage of time. Julian as a religious rebel in an increasingly over-Christianised society will endear himself to those of us who have a (secret?) yearning for a less hypocritical and pompous dispensation which has hardly proved itself worthy of the very Person who is said to be responsible for its inauguration. A fascinating read - and a pity that Vidal did not write with such acumen and professional style about other figures from the classical past. Phil

An interesting period in history, a good emperor, a philosopher emperor, but if you do not kill your opponents or potential opponents then you will not survive for long. And Julian did not survive for long, stabbed in the back by the Christian zealots who could not tolerate competition for their new religion. A religion full of contradictions and hypocrisy and a lust for power. Julian was right to allow complete religious tolerance which was soon to disappear with the Christians in control until the Ottoman Empire came to power centuries later. A good read, I am going to try Creation next which looks fascinating.

I thoroughly enjoyed this but I can't really say why! I fully expected to tire of it at some point but I didn't. The two commentaries by Priscus and Libanius, that run alongside Julian's autobiograpical musings, are quite bitchy but a very useful device that keep the narrative lively. I found myself rooting for Julian and was quite sad when the inevitable happened.

4 out of 5 for a great book, delivered in a timely fashion, at a great price. I'd give it 5 stars if it were half the price. But that's just me being an obnoxious tightwad. I couldn't recommend it more!

Having read most of Gore Vidal's historical novels, I left this until last. In my opinion it's one of his best. The characters are all quite engaging, and have a feel of authenticity about them.The fact that we know in advance that Julian's project to roll back the rise of Christianity in the 4th century Roman Empire was set to fail doesn't detract from the book.Like all Vidal's work, this is witty, fascinating, intelligent and shows at times great depths.

great service, arrived very quickly in excellent order. I lost my copy and it is a favourite regular.

Gore Vidal skillfully described the world of early Christianity. However, fantastic beginning was not followed equally interesting second half of the book. Maybe it is because Julian turned to a bore?Right now the book is on my shelf waiting for me to pick it up and end eventually.