Empire Of The Atom (Paperback)

by A E Van Vogt (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Manor, New York (January 1, 1956)
• ASIN: B000TXY02W
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Sci-Fi Retelling of "I, CLAUDIUS", May 6, 2009

By	Melissa McCauley (North Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: EMPIRE OF THE ATOM (Mass Market Paperback)

To the noble house of Emperor Medron Linn (Augustus Caesar) is born the atomic mutation Clane (Claudius). Everyone thinks the physically deformed boy should be disposed of, but a temple scientist takes the youngster under his wing and trains him to use his brilliant mind. Clane survives the many plots and intrigues in the Capitoline Palace and outwits his scheming grandmother Lydia (Livia), quietly pursuing his scientific studies while she advances her son Tews (Tiberius) to the Linnan throne.

Clane offers brilliant tactical advice to his uncle Tews and his brother Jerrin (Germanicus) as they continue the imperial policy of conquering the barbarians. Mars and Venus fall to the empire, but Europa unexpectedly sacks the eternal city and kills Tews, leaving Clane the only imperial family member available to take charge of the army.

This book seems even more silly and quaint than most science fiction from the 1950s, because the imperial troops zip out in their spaceships to battle the barbarians from horseback with bows and arrows. This book is very obviously a retelling of I, Claudius by Robert Graves. If you like that sort of novel you must read Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn, a fabulous retelling of Jane Eyre.