No, I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves isn't about a democracy or Washington, D.C. but great political fiction it is. As a matter of fact, politics is so consuming in this novel that it often is literally a matter of life and death. It's a fictional memoir of the 1st-century-AD Roman emperor, Claudius. Physically weak and suffering from a stammer, Claudius writes how he managed to survive the shark tank that is his family (and a more dysfunctional family you'd be hard-pressed to find) and become the Emperor of Rome. Often considered a classic example of well written historical fiction, the novel presents a fascinating picture of ancient Rome and some unforgettable characters such as Livia, Claudius's grandmother, a truly monstrous character. If the modern election cycle is wearing you down, give I, Claudius a try.
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