Customer Reviews

Gore Vidal's Caligula: A Novel Based on Gore Vidal's Original Screenplay

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William Howard's novelization of Gore Vidal's "Caligula" is taken directly from the movie script Vidal wrote for Bob Guccione (former publisher of Penthouse Magazine) who produced the film starring Malcolm McDowell. Being unfamiliar with the life of the Roman Emperor Caligula, I am unable to state whether the narrative is historically accurate or not. In fact, back when this book and film were released, it was my first contact with Caligula and his times. Since the film, there have been numerous books written and published about the Mad Emperor (as can be seen by searching Amazon.com for "Caligula").

The story is equal parts blood and guts, sexual deviation and political intrigue as we follow the whimsical projects and plans of a madman given unlimited power. Caligula was obviously disturbed and as we follow Vidal's narrative it becomes clear the man affectionately known as "Little Boots" by his soldiers was in no position to be in charge of anything, much less an empire.

Vidal is an accomplished writer, and considered a great author by some. During the film's production, he had several fights with Bob Guccione over the artistic interpretation of his script. Vidal eventually demanded his name be taken out of the film's credits, and Guccione did so. Acknowledging one cannot really understand historical events based on the telling from one viewpoint, I am unable to say if Vidal accurately portrayed the events surrounding Caligula. However, he did manage to capture enough of the Roman Emperor's life and times to arrest my interest and make me want to read more.