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    I Am Livia
    I Am Livia
    I Am Livia
    Audiobook13 hours

    I Am Livia

    Written by Phyllis T. Smith

    Narrated by Joyce Bean

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMay 1, 2014
    ISBN9781480581746
    I Am Livia
    Author

    Phyllis T. Smith

    Phyllis T. Smith was born and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree from New York University, Phyllis pursued a practical career in computer applications training, yet she found herself drawn to writing fiction and to the history, literature, and art of the ancient world. Her first novel, I Am Livia, was a #1 Kindle and Digital Book World bestseller. She plans to write more novels set in ancient Rome.

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    Reviews for I Am Livia

    4/5

    144 ratings20 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I loved this audiobook. Livia Drusilla has always been presented as a scheming, ruthless woman.Her story of course was always written by men. But this book, written by a woman tries to balance things and works really well. I think if they had a man read the men's part it would be more interesting as an audiobook. I hope this turns out to be a Netflix series one day.
    • 4/5
      I think Livia was overall well portrayed, though shown to be as manipulative as she is in other historical novels.
    • 4/5
      I've stated many a time how much I love Roman history. So many of the book written focus on the men; it was so wonderful to read a story written from the point of view of a woman. Livia Drusilla was a force at a time when women were not considered much more than ornaments for their husbands. She was indulged by her father who appreciated her sharp political mind. Her fist husband, Tiberius Nero did not realize what he had and lost her to a man who turned out to be one of the more memorable men of his time - Caesar Augustus or as she referred to him, Tavius.The book details Livia's life from just before her first marriage to the end of it when she sees her son as ruler of Rome. He does listen to her nor does he respect her as his step father did and that is to his detriment. Livia is a far from perfect woman and this is a far from perfect book in that it can be a touch dry at times and sometimes seems a bit modern in its approach but those are minor flaws in detailing the life of a woman who was so ahead of her time.I was fascinated from the first page to the last and it seems like things were left open for a sequel. I would not be disappointed if Rome's history were to be continued, perhaps through the eyes of another of its women. I suggest you read I Am Livia to meet one of the builders of Rome's greatness. I think it started to crumble bit by bit after their reign.
    • 5/5
      The day to day life and marriage of Livia to Octavian (Tavia) is conjecture; but the history of Rome, the Roman Civil Wars, and the foreign wars were very accurate. This is the 2nd account I have read of Livia, the first being I, Claudius many years ago. This novel paints Livia in a kinder, gentler light; although certainly no door mat. I do understand the machinations that took Rome from a republic to an empire better after this read. My only complaint is that the book informs readers that Octavia (Octavian's sister) raised the 3 surviving children of Antony and Cleopatra. Most historians agree that the oldest male, Alexander Helios was killed by Octavian very soon after parading him as a trophy in Rome. 391 pages 5 stars
    • 5/5
      The day to day life and marriage of Livia to Octavian (Tavia) is conjecture; but the history of Rome, the Roman Civil Wars, and the foreign wars were very accurate. This is the 2nd account I have read of Livia, the first being I, Claudius many years ago. This novel paints Livia in a kinder, gentler light; although certainly no door mat. I do understand the machinations that took Rome from a republic to an empire better after this read. My only complaint is that the book informs readers that Octavia (Octavian's sister) raised the 3 surviving children of Antony and Cleopatra. Most historians agree that the oldest male, Alexander Helios was killed by Octavian very soon after parading him as a trophy in Rome. 391 pages 5 stars
    • 5/5
      Beautifully written narrative keeping closest to hisoyical facts-
      It explores with great honesty the emotions of each characrwe
    • 5/5
      This is an autobiographical novel of the life of Livia, wife of Julius Caesar's great nephew and adopted son Octavian, better known as the future Roman Emperor Augustus. The relationship between the two of them is closer to being one of equals, intellectually at least, than any other such relationship of the time - Livia has been described as the most powerful woman in the history of ancient Rome. The Livia depicted here is Tavius's (Octavian's) closest political advisor, but also very humane and with a horror of the warfare which necessarily accompanies his rise to supreme power. He (and ultimately she also) regards this rise as being for the good of Rome, in putting an end to the civil wars which have disfigured the city and growing empire's life for many decades and have effectively put an end to the Roman Republic, whose ideals were embodied most effectively by such figures as Cicero and Cato. This is a very different Livia from the more famous manipulative and scheming murderess depicted by Robert Graves in I, Claudius. I prefer to believe this version of Livia, though historians have different views and we will never know for sure. What is sure is that she was declared a goddess after her death at the advanced age of 86 by her grandson, Emperor Claudius. A powerful and influential figure.
    • 3/5
      The writing style in this book reminds me of Philippa Gregory's treatment of the women in Henry VIII's court. And that's not a compliment. Livia is the daughter of Marcus Claudianus, a senator who was among the conspirators against Julius Caesar. When Octavian began his campaign of retribution against his adopted father's assassins, her father committed suicide after Octavian's victory at the Battle of Philippi. Her husband by arranged marriage, magistrate Tiberius Claudius Nero, fled to Marc Antony's side in Egypt. Livia and Tiberius Claudius Nero then fled to Greece, returning to Rome after a general amnesty was announced. In this book, Livia has long had contact with the young Octavian, who became the Emperor Augustus. Pregnant with her second son, the much loved and tragic Nero Claudius Drusus (aka Drusus the Elder, father of the notorious Caligula), she wed Octavian after Tiberius Claudius Nero was compelled to divorce her (as Octavian did his own wife, Scribonia). What follows is routine life in the upper class of Rome, along with much anxiety over Livia's failure to produce a true heir with Augustus. Resigned to the inevitability that Augustus would discard her for someone younger and more fertile, she was surprised when Augustus affirmed his devotion to her and adopted her sons as his heirs. The end of Augustus and the early reign of her son, Tiberius, are sort of "yadda yadda'd" at the end of the book. This is the point in her story where Robert Graves makes her the devious schemer pulling strings on everyone atop the government, as well as striving for a legacy to become deified along with her husband following her death. And that's a shame, Graves' Livia is far more dynamic than Smith's.
    • 3/5
      Romance/Historical fiction, although true readers of that genre may very well disagree with me. Decent enough writing just not my thing.
    • 3/5
      I got this book from Amazon as a first look book. I had high hopes for this book (even though I didn't have much knowledge of Livia Druisilla). To begin with, I found the book was written more for teenagers/young adults. If I didn't know Livia really existed, I would have just thought it was a so-so plot. I guess I just didn't find Livia very likable. After reading some history on her from the web, I can say I don't like her. I wish I had liked and enjoyed this book more, but mainly it was just politics with a very little look at Livia and Tavius' personal lives.
    • 2/5
      Profoundly bland writing style matched with a dull heroine, this Livia is not for lovers of "I, Claudius" in either forms. Livia does not seem really of her time period--what Roman daughter of the time period would be surprised that her father was arranging her marriage?- but the anachronistic feel does not stop there but continues throughout the book. The author strips Livia of her cleverness and manipulation behavior and presents the reader with an uncritical portrait of Livia as the Mother of all Rome--not out any attempt, I feel, to present a revisionist view, or to craft a false narrative that will leave the reader guessing, but because such a surface portrayal is all the writer is capable of. When Livia and Octavius meet the book sinks even lower as their relationship is depicted in romance fiction terms of throbbing hearts (and other things) and golden curls. Despite all this the book still seems like a YA novel.
    • 5/5
      I Am Livia delivered a whole lot more than I expected from a debut novel. The author writes eloquently and is able to understate the complex relationship and rich emotional life of Augutus and Livia, adding much poignancy. If you love the history of the Romans, this broad, sweeping saga of one of Rome's greatest ruling families is for you. I haven't read any historical fiction I've enjoyed more in a very long time. High marks.
    • 3/5
      “I wonder sometimes how I will be remembered.”
      — I Am Livia, by Phyllis T. Smith


      I admit that I had only heard of Livia Drusilla. I knew that she was powerful and extremely intelligent. It was a shame she was born in a time when women were thought of as simply the bearer of sons and hostesses at home. Her father indulged her and spoke to her of politics and inspired her to think for herself. It was a blessing and a curse. She was a woman who rose above it all and is looked upon for her strength, wisdom and for the advances she made.

      And we begin, actually, the day before Caesar's assassination and when Livia finishes, Octavius is Emperor. Without giving too many details away-actually, I'm giving none away, (so hah!) it's not an easy ride for Livia. Not in anyway. Yet, she managed it with a measure of grace I don't think I could have. People were always plotting murder, asking her favors (when she married Octavius), dealing with the many wars (successes and failures), suicides and so forth. It's fun how the author crafted how they met and I enjoyed reading the ups and downs of their relationship. I also felt badly for her first husband, Tiberius Nero, when he was summoned to see Octavius who told him he would divorce Livia so that he himself could marry her. (Okay, I gave you a spoiler, sorry!)

      What I liked was that I felt that I was there in the thick of it. When the action was going, I was there in Rome. I was seeing the proscriptions posted and I felt Livia's fear for her husband and for her life. When her father died, I felt sympathy for her. Likewise when her mother passed. Her sister Secunda irritated me for the most part and similarly irritated Livia. There are a lot of names thrown about that are familiar and some are not. But you walk away feeling a bit more knowledgeable about Ancient Rome and, of course, Livia. Though, it's a fictional take, I like to think that she felt the same emotions, had some of those thoughts. It gives a human side to her that I sometimes forget to give people of the past.

      What I didn't like was that we didn't get to see the infamous Livia. The one who allegedly had people poisoned and eventually (possibly!!) her own husband in the advancement of her son, Tiberius. I also didn't like the biased view of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. I understand that they clearly hated him but I would have liked a less biased view.
    • 3/5
      I liked the book, ot was a little bit to short. I missed some stuff like in the beginning was very interesting but towards the end everything was like not very detailed a lot of stuff happened that was not explained and I wanted more information about it. I liked that it was mostly acurate but with a little bit of fiction. Overall good.
    • 4/5
      I've stated many a time how much I love Roman history. So many of the book written focus on the men; it was so wonderful to read a story written from the point of view of a woman. Livia Drusilla was a force at a time when women were not considered much more than ornaments for their husbands. She was indulged by her father who appreciated her sharp political mind. Her fist husband, Tiberius Nero did not realize what he had and lost her to a man who turned out to be one of the more memorable men of his time - Caesar Augustus or as she referred to him, Tavius.The book details Livia's life from just before her first marriage to the end of it when she sees her son as ruler of Rome. He does listen to her nor does he respect her as his step father did and that is to his detriment. Livia is a far from perfect woman and this is a far from perfect book in that it can be a touch dry at times and sometimes seems a bit modern in its approach but those are minor flaws in detailing the life of a woman who was so ahead of her time.I was fascinated from the first page to the last and it seems like things were left open for a sequel. I would not be disappointed if Rome's history were to be continued, perhaps through the eyes of another of its women. I suggest you read I Am Livia to meet one of the builders of Rome's greatness. I think it started to crumble bit by bit after their reign.
    • 5/5
      Received through Kindle First Reads.This book was phenomenal. It was such a pleasure to read. I found it difficult to put down. I was immediately hooked on the storyline. On the whole it is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what made this book so great because it has so much going for it. But I think my favorite aspect was the retelling of history through Livia's eyes. I really like that Smith humanized Livia as a historical figure and showed her perspective on the situation. Smith also did a very nice job of having Livia's anger at the sexism that surrounded her evolve throughout her lifetime, creating the person that history is familiar with, a figure that sought power and went around the system to get it. Overall, this was truly an amazing read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      My copy of this book obtained through Amazon Kindle First Picks. This book details the life of Livia Drusilla, the wife of Caesar Octavianus, from her point of view beginning with life in her father's house. It paints a highly favorable portrait of her choices and actions. As Livia is familiar with the events ongoing in the world, you are also exposed to them, but the book is as much about her perspective and feelings as it is about the history of the period. Overall, this is a good read, light enough to be fun. It holds your attention and pulls you into Livia's world.
    • 4/5
      Really good book, and easier reading than some other historical fiction I ave read.
    • 4/5
      Having taught Shakespeare's Caesar for many years, I was delighted to find a historical fiction novel set in that time period without focusing solely on Ceasar. Smith's novel is well-written and paced finely enough so that there is drama but not overwrought.Livia is a fascinating character, although I did not feel as if I truly understood her motivations enough or believed the "love story." However, well-written historical fiction is hard to find, and this is a gem.
    • 5/5
      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.