I, Claudius
I, Claudius by Robert Gravesby Robert Graves
Hacker ApprovedRanked 4 of 13 historical novels by recommenders
People recommend this book for its solid fictionalization of Roman history and family lineage, and for the strong BBC adaptation. One critic says the sets feel bound.
People recommend this book for its solid fictionalization of Roman history and family lineage, and for the strong BBC adaptation. One critic says the sets feel bound.
11 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 11
- criticize it
- 0
- approval share
- 100%
Recommended in 4 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: recommended
- June 2026: recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it carries the badge
- 11 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- Nobody criticizes itNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 4 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Strong recommendation for the book
“it's my 2026 book of the year despite being written in the 30s”
Comment from 14 May 2026 in “MIT: 20% drop in incoming graduate students” “I highly recommend the books FWIW”
Comment from 13 Jun 2026 in “Show HN: I am building a map of people who lived in the Roman Empire” Solid, well-acted BBC production
“had a number of excellent actors in it”
Comment from 29 Oct 2026 in “Patrick Stewart has died” “It's a solid 70s era BBC production.”
Comment from 14 Jun 2026 in “Show HN: I am building a map of people who lived in the Roman Empire” “I, Claudius is a great show”
Comment from 29 Oct 2026 in “Patrick Stewart has died” Helps with Roman family history
“Those who lack this family knowledge would want to start with the first episode”
Comment from 29 Oct 2026 in “Patrick Stewart has died” “Having trouble following names? Read I Claudius.”
Comment from 25 Jun 2026 in “Dostoyevsky Isn't Difficult”
Other historical novels people recommend
The four most recommended other historical novels, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aubrey-Maturin seriesby Patrick O'Brian | 18 | 0 | 100% | 6 | — | Approved |
| The Three Musketeersby Alexandre Dumas | 12 | 0 | 100% | 5 | — | Approved |
| The MANIACby Benjamin Labatut | 12 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| I, Claudiusby Robert GravesThis page | 11 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| Master and Commanderby Patrick O'Brian | 7 | 1 | 88% | 4 | — | — |
What people said
10 of the 11 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“would be my 5th or sixth time, but would be worth it”
“had a number of excellent actors in it”
“Those who lack this family knowledge would want to start with the first episode”
“I, Claudius is a great show”
“Having trouble following names? Read I Claudius.”
“It's a solid 70s era BBC production.”
“I highly recommend the books FWIW”
“it's my 2026 book of the year despite being written in the 30s”
“I, Claudius does a solid fictionalization of the man.”
“a little set bound (like I, Claudius)”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.