Hadrian

If you are opening this book to find historical accuracy, save yourself some time. I chose to read it because I was tempted to see an unconventional fiction interpretation that makes very liberal use of real historical figures, events and settings, refracted through the author's imagination and with a decidedly queer flavor. And my expectations were completely met - light, entertaining and thought-provoking, this melancholic romantic story is filled with longing and loneliness. Because people rarely think about what and who exactly is behind the mask of an emperor, king or other position of power. And they are indeed people of flesh and blood, but dressed with the heaviness and responsibilities of their higher rank and the pressure of societal expectations.
This romantic story has the flavor of campfires, the weariness of countless days and nights on the road, the hardships of soldier life, the taste of loneliness when you are surrounded by so many people and there is no one to actually talk to. It's not about all the smut and all the spice, it's about finding a companion, someone who brings peace of mind, the comfort of shared silence, or the pleasure of quiet conversation under a starry sky. Despite the vast difference between their social standing, Hadrian and Antinous connect instantly on a purely human level. And so it begins - unconventional and bittersweet romance, I really enjoyed reading.