Extra: I, Claudius, Robert Graves

One of the first audiobooks I listened to (back in 1992, I believe) was I, Claudius. Written by Robert Graves, read by Nelson Runger, and produced in unabridged form by Recorded Books, this is still one of my favorite audiobook readings ever. The copy I listened to belonged to the public library. I listened to it again the next year, and went back for it a couple of years later ... only to find the library had sold it in one of their book sales. Apparently, I was the only one to ever have checked it out. I'm sure it's shelf space was given to a Clive Cussler potboiler, or something equally unworthy.

Anyway, I have been keeping my eyes open for a copy for years. I happened to think about it tonight, after learning that BBC radio aired an abridged reading of the book in 2007. So I checked eBay, that great bazaar where we all buy back our past at some point or another, and there it was. $13.00, including shipping/handling, and it's mine! All mine!

Now I just have to do the work of converting the cassettes to mp3's ... a process at which I am an old hand.

If you have never read this tale of a most unlikely (and surprisingly likable) Roman Emperor who survives all the malicious plots of his scheming relatives, you should. I have never seen the television productions, myself, which makes me a bit of an oddity. (Anyone who happens to know the title I, Claudius, is more likely to have seen the TV series than read the book.) The sequel, Claudius the God, is also pretty good. (And there is a Nelson Runger recording of it as well.) Having read that book once, though, I don't have any desire to return to it.