CLAUDIUS THE GOD

In this sequel to I, CLAUDIUS, Derek Jacobi continues his superb narration of the fictional autobiography of the fourth Roman emperor. Claudius is an unexpected emperor—he was considered a harmless stuttering idiot as a child, and he even held republican beliefs. As always, Jacobi's timing and tone are impeccable, and he expertly conveys both the violence and humor of Claudius's world. This is no dry historical novel—it's a tale of love, war, betrayal, death, and endless scheming. Claudius’s wife, Messalina, is run through with a sword after her extramarital affairs are exposed. (Then he marries his niece!) His best friend, Herod Agrippa, tells Claudius to trust no one—good advice, given that Herod is building his own empire. Jacobi adopts just the right lightness of tone to have listeners laughing out loud over Claudius's amusement at the miraculous stories of Jesus that are sweeping the country. A.B. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]