An overwhelmingly well executed and well-written book.

First, it is the form of the book that makes it truly great. The decision to make the book a collection of letters gives it the antique and historical air that makes up the foundation of the book.
This is balanced out nicely by a more traditional story telling style that allows the story to flow and progress more easily, unhindered by the realism of the kinds of letters that would otherwise seem natural. It comes in the form of the letters from Maecenas to Livy, and the

diary entries of Julia

. These longer and more focused sections.

The decision to

not let us hear from Augustus himself until the end of the book,

is a huge part of the reason it works so well.
This way, we experience the mysterious ruler from the outside alongside his peers. It builds up intrigue and wonder. In his moments of victory we too experience him as an unknowable and godlike figure. While in his moments of "weakness" and uncertainty we wonder what is behind the facade of this now very real man. How does he see the world, and bear the weight of it upon his shoulders?
Especially the moments with his loved ones are affecting. Augustus seems so far away from the rest of the world, even then, among those who should be closest to him.

I had my doubts about how Williams would even pull it off if he were to allow us inside the head of Augustus, would it even work?

Of course, it did, and wonderfully so! It was my absolute favourite part of the book. The ability to write

from the perspective of a character as Augustus is astounding!

At last I should say that I do not see the big difference between this book and Stoner.
We follow two men scheming to a lesser or greater degree for their position in  their empire, or at their university. Two paralysingly lonely men. Estranged, in a large part, by their own very best efforts, from the world and the people around them.

One also wonders at Williams' own relationship to his family and the world.