Julian: A Novel
by Gore Vidal
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gore VidalEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-08-12
ISBN: 037572706X
Number of pages: 528
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of Julian: A Novel
Book Review: 6 Stars
Summary: 5 Stars
Last year I read Vidal's Burr: A Novel and didn't think it could be topped, but this earlier novel of Vidal's is even more extraordinary.
Vidal creates a memoir by the Emperor Julian and presents it with the commentary of two friends. This novelization gives the reader a good understanding of the social and political dynamics of this often neglected period of history.
I take it on faith that the scholarship is as accurate as the critics contend which makes this book not just fiction, but literature, and a major achievement for its author.
The book begins with Julian's sheltered childhood as the nephew of the Emperor, who is always in fear that the males in his bloodline would rise up against him. The uncle, claiming to be a Christian (the new religion that has taken root), has killed Julian's father and later his brother along with many more. Seeds of doubt of this new religion were planted in Julian's mind early on.
Many reviewers have commented that the book is hard on Christianity. It shows how much the religion spead in the early days not just through missionary work, but also through politics and violence. It gives an equal number of swipes at the old religion. Julian's sacrifices are almost comedies (i.e. one bull had a damaged liver - an ominous sign, Julian spoke at the end of the ceremony negating its meaning so a healthy bull was brought in) as are Julian's looking for signs before battle.
For anyone interested in historical fiction this is an engrossing read.
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