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Nero #2
The Splendor Before the Dark
Nero’s ascent to the throne was only the beginning....Now Margaret George, the author of The Confessions of Young Nero, weaves a web of politics and passion, as ancient Rome’s most infamous emperor cements his place in history.With the beautiful and cunning Poppaea at his side, Nero commands the Roman empire, ushering in an unprecedented era of artistic and cultural splendor. Although he has yet to produce an heir, his power is unquestioned.But in the tenth year of his reign, a terrifying prophecy comes to pass and a fire engulfs Rome, reducing entire swaths of the city to rubble. Rumors of Nero’s complicity in the blaze start to sow unrest among the populace—and the politicians....For better or worse, Nero knows that his fate is now tied to Rome’s—and he vows to rebuild it as a city that will stun the world. But there are those who find his rampant quest for glory dangerous. Throughout the empire, false friends and spies conspire against him, not understanding what drives him to undertake the impossible.Nero will either survive and be the first in his family to escape the web of betrayals that is the Roman court, or be ensnared and remembered as the last radiance of the greatest dynasty the world has ever known. “A resplendent novel filled with the gilt and marble of the ancient world.”—C. W. Gortner, author of The Romanov Empress
581 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
214 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Margaret George
74 books2,919 followersMargaret George is a rolling stone who has lived in many places, beginning her traveling at the age of four when her father joined the U.S. diplomatic service and was posted to a consulate in Taiwan. The family traveled on a freighter named after Ulysses' son Telemachus that took thirty days to reach Taiwan, where they spent two years. Following that they lived in Tel Aviv (right after the 1948 war, when it was relatively quiet), Bonn and Berlin (during the spy-and-Cold-War days) before returning--at the height of Elvis-mania--to Washington DC, where Margaret went to high school. Margaret's first piece of published writing, at the age of thirteen, was a letter to TIME Magazine defending Elvis against his detractors. (Margaret has since been to Graceland.)
But it was earlier in Israel that Margaret, an avid reader, began writing novels to amuse herself when she ran out of books to read. Interestingly, the subject of these was not what lay around her in the Middle East, but the American west, which she had never set foot in. (Now that she lives in the American Midwest she writes about the Middle East!) Clearly writing in her case followed Emily Dickinson's observation "There is no frigate like a book" and she used it to go to faraway places. Now she has added another dimension to that travel by specializing in visiting times remote from herself.
Neither of these horse sagas got published, but the ten-year-old author received an encouraging note from an editor at Grosset & Dunlap, telling her she had a budding talent but should work on her spelling.
It was also in Israel that Margaret started keeping land tortoises as pets, an interest which she still follows today. She had a great affinity for animals and nature and that led her to a double major at Tufts University in English literature and biology. Following that she received an MA in ecology from Stanford University--one of the earliest departments to offer such a concentration. Today she is active in environmental and animal conservation groups.
Combining her interests led her to a position as a science writer at the National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, Maryland for four years.
Her marriage at the end of that time meant moving, first to St. Louis, then to Uppsala, Sweden, and then to Madison, Wisconsin, where she and her husband Paul have lived for more than twenty years now. They have one grown daughter who lives in California and is in graduate school.
Through all this Margaret continued to write, albeit slowly and always on only one project at a time. She wrote what she refers to as her 'Ayn Rand/adventure novel' in college and her 'Sex and the City' novel in Washington DC. It was in St. Louis that she suddenly got the idea of writing a 'psycho-biography' of Henry VIII. She had never seen such a thing done but became convinced the king was a victim of bad PR and she should rescue his good name. Her background in science meant that only after thoroughly researching the literature and scholarship on Henry VIII would she embark on the novel itself. She sought the guidance of a Tudor historian at Washington University for a reading list, and proceeded from there.
It was actually fourteen years between her initial idea and the publication of The Autobiography of Henry VIII. The book made an impression for several reasons: first, because no one had ever written a novel sympathetic to the king before; second, because it covered his entire life from before birth until after his death, making it almost a thousand pages long, and third, because it was so fact-filled.
But it was earlier in Israel that Margaret, an avid reader, began writing novels to amuse herself when she ran out of books to read. Interestingly, the subject of these was not what lay around her in the Middle East, but the American west, which she had never set foot in. (Now that she lives in the American Midwest she writes about the Middle East!) Clearly writing in her case followed Emily Dickinson's observation "There is no frigate like a book" and she used it to go to faraway places. Now she has added another dimension to that travel by specializing in visiting times remote from herself.
Neither of these horse sagas got published, but the ten-year-old author received an encouraging note from an editor at Grosset & Dunlap, telling her she had a budding talent but should work on her spelling.
It was also in Israel that Margaret started keeping land tortoises as pets, an interest which she still follows today. She had a great affinity for animals and nature and that led her to a double major at Tufts University in English literature and biology. Following that she received an MA in ecology from Stanford University--one of the earliest departments to offer such a concentration. Today she is active in environmental and animal conservation groups.
Combining her interests led her to a position as a science writer at the National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, Maryland for four years.
Her marriage at the end of that time meant moving, first to St. Louis, then to Uppsala, Sweden, and then to Madison, Wisconsin, where she and her husband Paul have lived for more than twenty years now. They have one grown daughter who lives in California and is in graduate school.
Through all this Margaret continued to write, albeit slowly and always on only one project at a time. She wrote what she refers to as her 'Ayn Rand/adventure novel' in college and her 'Sex and the City' novel in Washington DC. It was in St. Louis that she suddenly got the idea of writing a 'psycho-biography' of Henry VIII. She had never seen such a thing done but became convinced the king was a victim of bad PR and she should rescue his good name. Her background in science meant that only after thoroughly researching the literature and scholarship on Henry VIII would she embark on the novel itself. She sought the guidance of a Tudor historian at Washington University for a reading list, and proceeded from there.
It was actually fourteen years between her initial idea and the publication of The Autobiography of Henry VIII. The book made an impression for several reasons: first, because no one had ever written a novel sympathetic to the king before; second, because it covered his entire life from before birth until after his death, making it almost a thousand pages long, and third, because it was so fact-filled.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
October 8, 2019
5 stars for the outstanding storytelling by Margaret George! Wow! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Historical fiction is one of my favorites, but until the last month, Margaret George, a prolific author in this genre, was new-to-me. No longer because after reading and enjoying The Confessions of Young Nero, part one of this duology, I was prepared to be mesmerized and astounded with the second half of Nero’s story told through George’s impeccable research.
I had a history teacher in high school who held a doctorate and when attending his lectures, it was easy to tell how passionate he was about ancient world history. I remember him sharing what he knew about Nero, and I’d love to be able to tell him I read two books about his life.
In The Confessions of Young Nero, he ascends to the throne as emperor of Rome. In The Splendor Before the Dark, we find out everything that follows.
Nero’s first years as emperor are defined by his lovely and astute wife, Poppaea, and the cultural and artistic renaissance for which Nero is credited. Everything is off to a grand start, and Rome is in splendor.
All that comes to pass when, ten years into Nero’s reign, Rome is set aflame. Large sections of the city are lost. Rumors name Nero as complicit.
Nero makes a solemn vow to repair Rome and rebuild bigger and better than it was before. Nonetheless, rumors still spread, and there are many who doubt Nero’s ambitions. It’s hard to know if Nero will survive his time as emperorship. The unsteadiness, unhappiness, and distrust at court is deep.
Margaret George’s writing is absolutely superb. We hear from three narrators- Nero, Locusta (an herbal medicine doctor), and Acte (a woman Nero loves). The different voices allow us to pan around and see the whole Nero, both his good and not-so-good qualities.
THIS is precisely why we read historical fiction. George’s effort is polished and epic in scope and quality. Nero, just like any other human, was not all good or all bad; but instead a complex leader with fierce strengths and underlying abhorrent and fallible weaknesses.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to participate on the blog tour, as well as for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Historical fiction is one of my favorites, but until the last month, Margaret George, a prolific author in this genre, was new-to-me. No longer because after reading and enjoying The Confessions of Young Nero, part one of this duology, I was prepared to be mesmerized and astounded with the second half of Nero’s story told through George’s impeccable research.
I had a history teacher in high school who held a doctorate and when attending his lectures, it was easy to tell how passionate he was about ancient world history. I remember him sharing what he knew about Nero, and I’d love to be able to tell him I read two books about his life.
In The Confessions of Young Nero, he ascends to the throne as emperor of Rome. In The Splendor Before the Dark, we find out everything that follows.
Nero’s first years as emperor are defined by his lovely and astute wife, Poppaea, and the cultural and artistic renaissance for which Nero is credited. Everything is off to a grand start, and Rome is in splendor.
All that comes to pass when, ten years into Nero’s reign, Rome is set aflame. Large sections of the city are lost. Rumors name Nero as complicit.
Nero makes a solemn vow to repair Rome and rebuild bigger and better than it was before. Nonetheless, rumors still spread, and there are many who doubt Nero’s ambitions. It’s hard to know if Nero will survive his time as emperorship. The unsteadiness, unhappiness, and distrust at court is deep.
Margaret George’s writing is absolutely superb. We hear from three narrators- Nero, Locusta (an herbal medicine doctor), and Acte (a woman Nero loves). The different voices allow us to pan around and see the whole Nero, both his good and not-so-good qualities.
THIS is precisely why we read historical fiction. George’s effort is polished and epic in scope and quality. Nero, just like any other human, was not all good or all bad; but instead a complex leader with fierce strengths and underlying abhorrent and fallible weaknesses.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to participate on the blog tour, as well as for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
December 17, 2018
I'm not sure what happened between this novel and the first, but somewhere along the way, my interest disappeared completely. It's a shame, because I feel like this could have been a strong book... if an actual plot existed, that is.
Nero is the emperor famous for supposedly standing on a hill playing music while watching Rome burn (which isn't actually true), and throughout her duology George aims to present a more redeeming, sympathetic portrait of the emperor. She does mostly succeed in this, but I just felt utterly bored by the time I'd reached the halfway point in the novel.
I know it's supposed to chronicle the last year's of Nero's life, but apart from opening with the Great Fire of Rome... there kind of didn't really seem to be much else happening, besides the rebuilding of the city, that is. The rest of the novel could have seriously been edited down, and a number of events and meaningless party gatherings could have been taken out completely. I really didn't care about all the artist and poet friends of Nero, and their gatherings just grew to be more of the same old, same old.
It's a 550+ paged book that covers the last four years of Nero's life. I mean, I don't even think the first installment was that long, and it dealt with the first twenty six years of Nero's life. So yeah, it's extremely slow-paced, and it could have done with some serious editing. George did attempt to counter this by including a few instances of political intrigue and assassination plots, but it ended up failing because her Nero wasn't interested in any of the shady politics behind the scenes. It therefore ended up feeling a little like reading about a flailing bird with it's head in the sand. Again, it doesn't make for a promising read.
I do admire George for her research and ability to recreate a detailed, historical world. I definitely think that's one of her strengths, but unfortunately, it just wasn't enough for "The Splendour Before the Dark".
Nero is the emperor famous for supposedly standing on a hill playing music while watching Rome burn (which isn't actually true), and throughout her duology George aims to present a more redeeming, sympathetic portrait of the emperor. She does mostly succeed in this, but I just felt utterly bored by the time I'd reached the halfway point in the novel.
I know it's supposed to chronicle the last year's of Nero's life, but apart from opening with the Great Fire of Rome... there kind of didn't really seem to be much else happening, besides the rebuilding of the city, that is. The rest of the novel could have seriously been edited down, and a number of events and meaningless party gatherings could have been taken out completely. I really didn't care about all the artist and poet friends of Nero, and their gatherings just grew to be more of the same old, same old.
It's a 550+ paged book that covers the last four years of Nero's life. I mean, I don't even think the first installment was that long, and it dealt with the first twenty six years of Nero's life. So yeah, it's extremely slow-paced, and it could have done with some serious editing. George did attempt to counter this by including a few instances of political intrigue and assassination plots, but it ended up failing because her Nero wasn't interested in any of the shady politics behind the scenes. It therefore ended up feeling a little like reading about a flailing bird with it's head in the sand. Again, it doesn't make for a promising read.
I do admire George for her research and ability to recreate a detailed, historical world. I definitely think that's one of her strengths, but unfortunately, it just wasn't enough for "The Splendour Before the Dark".
November 6, 2018
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for my free copy of THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK by Margaret George - all opinions are my own.
Margaret George is my favorite historical fiction writer because her novels are meticulously researched and even though her page counts are high, there is never a slow or dull moment in her books. I read the first book in this duology, CONFESSIONS OF A YOUNG NERO, and no surprise, it was excellent. When I saw this book was coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it before the publication date.
The story covers the final four years of the life of Rome’s most infamous emperor, Nero Augustus. Nero has been in power for ten years and knows his fate is tied to Rome. There are many destinies that Nero can face in the specter of politics and power, such as religious unrest, ambitious commanders, rebellious territories, and of course, betrayal by the people closest to him. One notable resentment of his people relates to Nero’s expensive and extravagant plans to rebuild after the Great Fire of Rome destroyed the city. This novel shows several chances for Nero to show courage, fortitude, and strength as a leader and it was fascinating to see what he does with his power.
The story is told from multiple perspectives: the voice of Nero; Acte, a servant and former lover; and Locusta, a woman who specializes in herbal medicine and poisons. I love that through these perspectives you both see the light and dark side of Nero. We experience Nero’s naivety, idealism, and artistic side, but also see his darkness and unwillingness to see the dangers that lie ahead. George is an exceptional writer - she writes with authenticity, richness in detail, depth of characters, and vivid imagery - I felt as if I was right there in Rome and now know these historical figures intimately.
THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK is nothing short of brilliant and among my favorites with MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA and HELEN OF TROY. I will read anything Margaret George writes not only because her prose is extraordinarily beautiful, but also because she transports me to a time and place I would never be able to go otherwise.
Margaret George is my favorite historical fiction writer because her novels are meticulously researched and even though her page counts are high, there is never a slow or dull moment in her books. I read the first book in this duology, CONFESSIONS OF A YOUNG NERO, and no surprise, it was excellent. When I saw this book was coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it before the publication date.
The story covers the final four years of the life of Rome’s most infamous emperor, Nero Augustus. Nero has been in power for ten years and knows his fate is tied to Rome. There are many destinies that Nero can face in the specter of politics and power, such as religious unrest, ambitious commanders, rebellious territories, and of course, betrayal by the people closest to him. One notable resentment of his people relates to Nero’s expensive and extravagant plans to rebuild after the Great Fire of Rome destroyed the city. This novel shows several chances for Nero to show courage, fortitude, and strength as a leader and it was fascinating to see what he does with his power.
The story is told from multiple perspectives: the voice of Nero; Acte, a servant and former lover; and Locusta, a woman who specializes in herbal medicine and poisons. I love that through these perspectives you both see the light and dark side of Nero. We experience Nero’s naivety, idealism, and artistic side, but also see his darkness and unwillingness to see the dangers that lie ahead. George is an exceptional writer - she writes with authenticity, richness in detail, depth of characters, and vivid imagery - I felt as if I was right there in Rome and now know these historical figures intimately.
THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK is nothing short of brilliant and among my favorites with MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA and HELEN OF TROY. I will read anything Margaret George writes not only because her prose is extraordinarily beautiful, but also because she transports me to a time and place I would never be able to go otherwise.
November 14, 2018
When I was a kid, I was fascinated by all things Rome. I watched every episode about Rome and the emperors on History channel and my favorites were always on the crazy ones.
The ancient world is a fascinating place. People are trying to form a civilized people and state while others are trying to conquer new territories and at the height of it’s power, Rome was the republic that everyone modeled their empires on.
One of the emperors that always seemed to capture my interest was Nero and like any memorable Roman emperor, he had his own share of crazy. When this book came up for review, I was interested in it for this very reason.
One of the things that most intrigued me about this novel was that it seemed to focus on Nero the man, rather than Nero the crazy man. I liked that it seemed to promise more of his life and contributions to the empire rather than just how brutal he could be.
This book is part of a series about Nero’s life. The first book focuses on his younger years, while this book focuses on his later years. This book could most certainly stand on its own. I didn’t read the first book and by no means did that diminish the enjoyment of this book.
I loved George’s angle with this book. Throughout history Nero is portrayed as this crazy man who murdered his mother and wives, and had multiple lovers (men and women and his mother) and then of course famously burned down Rome and blamed the Christians. But there have been other historians that claim maybe these accusations were complete truth and that’s the vein that George spins her tale.
I liked that she took a different approach to Nero than the role that history always casts him as. I thought it made for a compelling read and really made me think and ponder what history tells us and what might actually be misrepresented. This book is a work of fiction, but I think there is enough rooted in history to make it enjoyable for fans of nonfiction as well.
In this book I actually found that I was able to enjoy Nero as a character and I loved watching him come alive on the pages. He was very changed by the fire and I loved seeing him emerge as an artist. George did a marvelous job at humanizing an emperor that not many people liked. I loved that about this book. George did a fantastic job with the plot and keeping things moving. The first half and the last were very fast paced, the middle stalled a little but I don’t think that had anything to do with her writing abilities but rather what was happening during that time.
This is a gem of a book and I enjoyed reading it more than I expected. I was sad that I missed the first book, only because the story and writing were elegant and engaging. This is superior historical fiction and I think fans of not only the ancient world or Rome, but fans of any historical fiction will not want to miss this one.
As a final note, the cover. I actually didn’t care for the Berkley cover shown in this post. There is another by MacMillian that is purple with gold accents and I actually love that cover so much. The Berkley cover says more historical thriller to me rather than historical fiction. If I were buying the book in a store, I would gravitate toward the purple edition rather than the one with the fire on it. I thought the purple added a lot of visual interest and conveyed historical fiction and Rome better than the one with the fire.
All in all though, this was an easy 5 star review for me!
See my full review here
The ancient world is a fascinating place. People are trying to form a civilized people and state while others are trying to conquer new territories and at the height of it’s power, Rome was the republic that everyone modeled their empires on.
One of the emperors that always seemed to capture my interest was Nero and like any memorable Roman emperor, he had his own share of crazy. When this book came up for review, I was interested in it for this very reason.
One of the things that most intrigued me about this novel was that it seemed to focus on Nero the man, rather than Nero the crazy man. I liked that it seemed to promise more of his life and contributions to the empire rather than just how brutal he could be.
This book is part of a series about Nero’s life. The first book focuses on his younger years, while this book focuses on his later years. This book could most certainly stand on its own. I didn’t read the first book and by no means did that diminish the enjoyment of this book.
I loved George’s angle with this book. Throughout history Nero is portrayed as this crazy man who murdered his mother and wives, and had multiple lovers (men and women and his mother) and then of course famously burned down Rome and blamed the Christians. But there have been other historians that claim maybe these accusations were complete truth and that’s the vein that George spins her tale.
I liked that she took a different approach to Nero than the role that history always casts him as. I thought it made for a compelling read and really made me think and ponder what history tells us and what might actually be misrepresented. This book is a work of fiction, but I think there is enough rooted in history to make it enjoyable for fans of nonfiction as well.
In this book I actually found that I was able to enjoy Nero as a character and I loved watching him come alive on the pages. He was very changed by the fire and I loved seeing him emerge as an artist. George did a marvelous job at humanizing an emperor that not many people liked. I loved that about this book. George did a fantastic job with the plot and keeping things moving. The first half and the last were very fast paced, the middle stalled a little but I don’t think that had anything to do with her writing abilities but rather what was happening during that time.
This is a gem of a book and I enjoyed reading it more than I expected. I was sad that I missed the first book, only because the story and writing were elegant and engaging. This is superior historical fiction and I think fans of not only the ancient world or Rome, but fans of any historical fiction will not want to miss this one.
As a final note, the cover. I actually didn’t care for the Berkley cover shown in this post. There is another by MacMillian that is purple with gold accents and I actually love that cover so much. The Berkley cover says more historical thriller to me rather than historical fiction. If I were buying the book in a store, I would gravitate toward the purple edition rather than the one with the fire on it. I thought the purple added a lot of visual interest and conveyed historical fiction and Rome better than the one with the fire.
All in all though, this was an easy 5 star review for me!
See my full review here
November 13, 2018
I loved the Confessions of Young Nero and now Margaret George (one of my favourite authors) completes Nero's incredible story. Mostly told by Nero himself, this is not Nero as tradition (and Hollywood) would have him and it's a fascinating portrait of what absolute power can do to a young man who'd really much rather race chariots and compose heroic verse. A wonderful, engrossing read. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
September 17, 2019
I think I liked the first volume a bit more than this; it may have been because Agrippina's Voldemort to Nero's Harry Potter was a more compelling story arc. This one starts well. Rome is burning, and Nero hotfoots it (sorry) back to the City. While milling around the fire, as one does, he spots what appear to be Christians throwing torches into as yet untouched buildings. It does not end well for the nascent religion's Roman residents.
After the fire, Nero wanders around plotting a rebuild. The new Rome will be extra-beautiful, but costly, and the Senators are not best pleased. Nero doesn't care, which is either feckless or dumb. Or both. He decides to take himself off to Greece for a year and enter every competition the peninsula offers. To no one's surprise save Nero's, he wins them all and is anointed Best Poet, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Charioteer. You name it, he is the Best at it. When people like his second wife point out "Honey, you're the Emperor, it kind of stacks the deck", Nero gets pouty. He just knows he is winning because he is truly just that good.
He's gone for a year, the Senate gets into a snit, rebellions break out and he kills himself. Off-camera, which given the buildup is a bit flat. The end.
It reads as though George dutifully trudged through Nero's activities in the last five years of his life. Honestly, she appears to have lost interest in him, and shortly after the fire, so did I. The Neros in Quo Vadis --- either the novel or Ustinov's over-the-top turn in the eponymous movie ---
are a lot more entertaining, historical "accuracy" be damned. I put the word in quotes because there are many occasions where we are treated to George's best guess as to what might have happened.
I like her books. But this one is kind of a dud.
After the fire, Nero wanders around plotting a rebuild. The new Rome will be extra-beautiful, but costly, and the Senators are not best pleased. Nero doesn't care, which is either feckless or dumb. Or both. He decides to take himself off to Greece for a year and enter every competition the peninsula offers. To no one's surprise save Nero's, he wins them all and is anointed Best Poet, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Charioteer. You name it, he is the Best at it. When people like his second wife point out "Honey, you're the Emperor, it kind of stacks the deck", Nero gets pouty. He just knows he is winning because he is truly just that good.
He's gone for a year, the Senate gets into a snit, rebellions break out and he kills himself. Off-camera, which given the buildup is a bit flat. The end.
It reads as though George dutifully trudged through Nero's activities in the last five years of his life. Honestly, she appears to have lost interest in him, and shortly after the fire, so did I. The Neros in Quo Vadis --- either the novel or Ustinov's over-the-top turn in the eponymous movie ---
are a lot more entertaining, historical "accuracy" be damned. I put the word in quotes because there are many occasions where we are treated to George's best guess as to what might have happened.
I like her books. But this one is kind of a dud.
November 20, 2018
This author and I are just not compatible. I should have known better than to try this book since I didn’t manage to get through the author’s first book about Nero. Unfortunately, I just don’t enjoy her writing style and the same factors that bothered me in the first book still bothered me. The first person narration leads to a lot of telling rather than showing. The author obviously did a lot of research, but the mix of extensive physical descriptions and imagined feelings and conversations didn’t work for me. I was also not pleased with the complete reimagining of Nero’s character and behavior. Here we have Nero as noble real estate developer. At least now I know not to attempt this author again. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
November 10, 2019
The first book was excellent.This one's slooow,too long,repetitive,and overly descriptive.I've read all the author's books,and this is the only one below-way below-par.
The best part is the afterword.
The best part is the afterword.
April 16, 2024
BUT IM A STAR!!!!! - nero, at some point, probably
March 1, 2025
he's just a chill guy
September 21, 2018
Following The Confessions of Young Nero, Margaret George concludes her tale of Emperor Nero with an insightful and passionate novel of the final four years of Nero’s life. On every dimension – superb writing, feeling immersed in time and place, characters both heroic and human, authenticity, and compelling plot – The Splendor Before the Dark is a winner.
Politics and power. Throughout the novel, these two are tangled in an intricate dance where one false step can lead to tragic consequences. Despite the warnings of those who know him best, Nero is unaware of, or willfully blind to, the false steps he takes. The people of Rome are fickle. Although Nero understands that “The crowd. They can turn to beasts in an instant,” he remains convinced of his people’s love far beyond the time when popular opinion begins to shift. And with his far-flung empire at relative peace, Nero fails to appreciate the fissures that threaten his leadership and Rome’s stature: religious unrest; rebellious territories; ambitious commanders; betrayals; and resentment of the costly and extravagant rebuilding of Rome.
Underlying all this complexity—and making crucial decisions more difficult—are Nero’s conflicting personas: the dutiful emperor, the idealistic artist, and the man who allows his dark side to take over. As the novel gathers momentum and urgency, I found myself wanting to whisper in Nero’s ear, to warn him before he stumbled into further danger; before it was too late.
Margaret George tells the story through three voices: the voice of Nero; that of Acte, a woman he has always loved; and that of Locusta, a woman who specializes in herbal medicine and poisons. Through Acte we see the young Nero and his idealist and artistic side, while through Locusta we see Nero’s dark side. The author’s research and interpretation of Nero has such depth that as the novel progressed, I felt I understood Nero on an intimate level.
Here’s Locusta reflecting on Nero:
“If, all those years ago when the prospect of being emperor was a poison mushroom away, did he have any comprehension of what was waiting on the other side? … Now he had entered fully into another kind of bondage, with no deliverance as long as he lived. Emperors did not retire into private life, like philosophers. There was only one retirement for an emperor—the grave. And if he is lucky, a natural descent into it at an advanced age.”
Near the end of the novel, Nero broods on what has happened:
“There is none so blind as he who will not see.”
The Splendor Before the Dark is historical fiction at its most powerful. Highly recommended.
Politics and power. Throughout the novel, these two are tangled in an intricate dance where one false step can lead to tragic consequences. Despite the warnings of those who know him best, Nero is unaware of, or willfully blind to, the false steps he takes. The people of Rome are fickle. Although Nero understands that “The crowd. They can turn to beasts in an instant,” he remains convinced of his people’s love far beyond the time when popular opinion begins to shift. And with his far-flung empire at relative peace, Nero fails to appreciate the fissures that threaten his leadership and Rome’s stature: religious unrest; rebellious territories; ambitious commanders; betrayals; and resentment of the costly and extravagant rebuilding of Rome.
Underlying all this complexity—and making crucial decisions more difficult—are Nero’s conflicting personas: the dutiful emperor, the idealistic artist, and the man who allows his dark side to take over. As the novel gathers momentum and urgency, I found myself wanting to whisper in Nero’s ear, to warn him before he stumbled into further danger; before it was too late.
Margaret George tells the story through three voices: the voice of Nero; that of Acte, a woman he has always loved; and that of Locusta, a woman who specializes in herbal medicine and poisons. Through Acte we see the young Nero and his idealist and artistic side, while through Locusta we see Nero’s dark side. The author’s research and interpretation of Nero has such depth that as the novel progressed, I felt I understood Nero on an intimate level.
Here’s Locusta reflecting on Nero:
“If, all those years ago when the prospect of being emperor was a poison mushroom away, did he have any comprehension of what was waiting on the other side? … Now he had entered fully into another kind of bondage, with no deliverance as long as he lived. Emperors did not retire into private life, like philosophers. There was only one retirement for an emperor—the grave. And if he is lucky, a natural descent into it at an advanced age.”
Near the end of the novel, Nero broods on what has happened:
“There is none so blind as he who will not see.”
The Splendor Before the Dark is historical fiction at its most powerful. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2019
A great book from a great author - I know that before I picked it up, so it was no surprise I really enjoyed this! Having read her diary of a young Nero previously, this continuation realistically portrays this much-maligned emperor and his much-discussed 'evils' as nothing more than rumour and misunderstanding, as well as showing the man beneath, and how, had he been born today, would have been seen more as the musical Emperor than the evil emperor. Well-researched (I know, I've studied Nero myself for a novel I wrote in uni for my creative writing unit), and imaginative, I loved this book, as I love everything written by this author - I remember the first of hers I read was the Diary of Cleopatra, which I also recommend, as well as her diary of Henry VIII, for anyone interested in history, but not in the dry and sometimes exhausting non-fiction, this is the type of fiction that teaches at the same time as it brings these characters from the past to life x
August 9, 2019
Covering the years from the Great Fire of Rome until the rule of Domitian. Her positive conception of Nero made me uncomfortable. Yes, I knew he put in reforms as to the city layout after the Great Fire but fighting the fire himself? I thought that OTT. But the writing style kept me interested all through.
December 9, 2018
It is now December in 2018. I have not been able to push myself to read this interpretation of Nero. It seems very false to me. There is little balance. And I don’t care for her style in these two Nero books. She has always been a favorite author of mine and I love the amount of research she does. But somehow, she no longer seems to sound like she is writing for adults in these Nero books, especially the second book. It reads like a book written for teenagers. I managed to get through the great fire and how courageous Nero was and sympathetic towards his people. Of course, Rome had fires all the time and yet the buildings seemed to be constructed repeatedly into fire traps, always worse for people the higher the floors were. Nero never seemed to do much about it until the really big fire that burned close to his own properties.
I do not understand how George could make up such scenarios for Nero trying to help during the fire and what his thoughts were. How would she know any of this? I understand she is allowed to take liberties in a novel, but there is a limit to that so as to keep a historical novel somewhat historical.
This is not like her other historical novels where there seems to be a lot of research to back up what happens. I have read several of her books and loved them. It is somewhat shocking to me that I can’t seem to force myself to read this one when I have waited many years, since Cleopatra, for her to write it. It is also shocking to me how many people seem to love this book. I wonder how many of these admirers have read any of her other books?
It took me many months to get through her Cleopatra, not because it was boring, but because there was so much detail on every page and so much to digest. It was not an easy read like this one. There were many words on every page and about 800 pages to absorb. I loved it. I loved Mary, Queen of Scott’s and Elizabeth as well. They all seemed somewhat scholarly as well as being extremely entertaining. But this?
I will probably try again at another time. But I have many other books to read that I am enjoying. I usually am sorry when I force myself to finish a book I don’t like. It usually isn’t worth it. I really wanted to like this book.
I do not understand how George could make up such scenarios for Nero trying to help during the fire and what his thoughts were. How would she know any of this? I understand she is allowed to take liberties in a novel, but there is a limit to that so as to keep a historical novel somewhat historical.
This is not like her other historical novels where there seems to be a lot of research to back up what happens. I have read several of her books and loved them. It is somewhat shocking to me that I can’t seem to force myself to read this one when I have waited many years, since Cleopatra, for her to write it. It is also shocking to me how many people seem to love this book. I wonder how many of these admirers have read any of her other books?
It took me many months to get through her Cleopatra, not because it was boring, but because there was so much detail on every page and so much to digest. It was not an easy read like this one. There were many words on every page and about 800 pages to absorb. I loved it. I loved Mary, Queen of Scott’s and Elizabeth as well. They all seemed somewhat scholarly as well as being extremely entertaining. But this?
I will probably try again at another time. But I have many other books to read that I am enjoying. I usually am sorry when I force myself to finish a book I don’t like. It usually isn’t worth it. I really wanted to like this book.
November 10, 2018
Passion takes precedence over politics, at least initially, in Margaret George’s brilliant follow-up novel to The Confessions of Young Nero. The story begins with the infamous fire that destroyed almost all of Rome, a fire Nero helps to put out. He helps dig out victims and console those who lost everything. However, the rumors then begin that Nero himself set the fires. He does nothing until he realizes that unless he finds a scapegoat his reign will end. And so the Christians become the easy targets because their teachings are used as evidence of their guilt.
Nero after staging the massacre of the Christians for public viewing sets about rebuilding Rome. He intends to have Rome display glory and stunning, exotic views that will be admired forever! He attempts to wow his audience with his poetry, his athleticism in the chariot games, his artistic and architectural designs, and all of this (and more) are gorgeously depicted by the author. The effect on the reader is spellbinding. Not only is the history of Nero’s world explored but it also envelops the reader into the culture and beauty of the gods and former Roman and Greek emperors.
Then deceit and tragedy enter Nero’s world, beginning with an absolutely huge defection on the part of both Senators and Nero’s own military guard. The plans for assassination are discovered and the plotters are condemned! But the moral and emotional devastation on Nero is piteous to follow. His pure intentions to create a beautiful cultured world within Rome are totally misconstrued and that shatters him. He will never trust again!
The loss of his wife lead him to abandon Rome for a year while he travels to Greece where he will participate in the Olympics of the time. Finally, Nero’s demise follows the mysterious prophecy that began his adult life.
Words cannot possibly convey the depth of how much is covered in this stunningly beautiful and skilled novel. Forget what you thought you knew about Nero and enjoy this comprehensive, complex journey into the world of one of the most notable Emperors in Roman history! Well-written, engaging, well-researched and highly recommended historical fiction!
Nero after staging the massacre of the Christians for public viewing sets about rebuilding Rome. He intends to have Rome display glory and stunning, exotic views that will be admired forever! He attempts to wow his audience with his poetry, his athleticism in the chariot games, his artistic and architectural designs, and all of this (and more) are gorgeously depicted by the author. The effect on the reader is spellbinding. Not only is the history of Nero’s world explored but it also envelops the reader into the culture and beauty of the gods and former Roman and Greek emperors.
Then deceit and tragedy enter Nero’s world, beginning with an absolutely huge defection on the part of both Senators and Nero’s own military guard. The plans for assassination are discovered and the plotters are condemned! But the moral and emotional devastation on Nero is piteous to follow. His pure intentions to create a beautiful cultured world within Rome are totally misconstrued and that shatters him. He will never trust again!
The loss of his wife lead him to abandon Rome for a year while he travels to Greece where he will participate in the Olympics of the time. Finally, Nero’s demise follows the mysterious prophecy that began his adult life.
Words cannot possibly convey the depth of how much is covered in this stunningly beautiful and skilled novel. Forget what you thought you knew about Nero and enjoy this comprehensive, complex journey into the world of one of the most notable Emperors in Roman history! Well-written, engaging, well-researched and highly recommended historical fiction!
November 5, 2018
"The Splendor Before the Dark" is the second book in Margaret George's duology about Roman Emperor Nero. It also is one of my most eagerly anticipated releases for 2018. I loved the first book and couldn't wait to dive into this one. It was well worth the wait and as this book shows, there is a good reason that Nero's name is still so well known out of all of the other Roman emperors.
Although this book can definitely work as a standalone, I suggest you go back and read "The Confessions of Young Nero." It is a great book and why would you deprive yourself of such a good read? It will allow you to greater appreciate the heights Nero reaches in "The Splendor Before the Dark."
This book covers the last four years in Nero's life. Although he has already been in power for awhile, this book provides a few opportunities for Nero to show his mettle to his people. One of those that I found most interesting is the Great Fire of Rome. Rome is basically destroyed and it is up to Nero to rebuild. He comes up with a bold plan to remake Rome to an even greater city than it was before. I really liked seeing his new plans and how he sells everyone around him on his huge plans, which make a mark for centuries to come.
Margaret George is on my must read list always. In her books, you always know that she is going to give you great characters and rich detail to lend to fantastic world building. This book is no different and makes for a satisfying conclusion for the duology. I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
Although this book can definitely work as a standalone, I suggest you go back and read "The Confessions of Young Nero." It is a great book and why would you deprive yourself of such a good read? It will allow you to greater appreciate the heights Nero reaches in "The Splendor Before the Dark."
This book covers the last four years in Nero's life. Although he has already been in power for awhile, this book provides a few opportunities for Nero to show his mettle to his people. One of those that I found most interesting is the Great Fire of Rome. Rome is basically destroyed and it is up to Nero to rebuild. He comes up with a bold plan to remake Rome to an even greater city than it was before. I really liked seeing his new plans and how he sells everyone around him on his huge plans, which make a mark for centuries to come.
Margaret George is on my must read list always. In her books, you always know that she is going to give you great characters and rich detail to lend to fantastic world building. This book is no different and makes for a satisfying conclusion for the duology. I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
May 9, 2019
2.5, round down to 2. George’s Nero is insufferable.
September 6, 2022
I enjoyed the second book of this duology even more than the first. In this one, Margaret George does a superlative job of humanising one of the most infamous figures in Roman history. It's packed with subtle detail - the first chapters which deal with the burning of Rome include Nero's account of his (albeit fictional) work with the Vigiles, those tasked with guarding Rome, where he encounters a group of men deliberately throwing lit torches into buildings & trying to prevent the flames from being put out. An account of the fire from Tacitus remarks on these groups, with one rumour being that the Emperor himself had ordered the burning of Rome. That version has always seemed rather unlikely to me, even taking into account the stated reason of clearing central space for his Domus Aurea, fire is a hard to control element & there was a real risk of Rome in its entirety being completed gutted.
Again in his marriage to Poppaea Sabina, the rumour of him having kicked her in a temper & causing a fatal miscarriage seems overstated. Nero was the last of the Julio-Claudian line of Emperors & a living heir would have been vital for both his family's grip on power & Rome itself. Stability was something the Empire lacked following Nero's death, with the Year of Four Emperors following, before a period of relative calm under Vespasian & the other Flavian Emperors. All in all, it seems like there had been a concerted campaign to malign aspects of Nero's personality & rule, but that is not to say that he was without fault.
He had people killed, including his mother (although to be fair she was trying to kill him too), his first wife (ditto), & many Christians (scapegoats for the fire). A lover & patron of the arts, Nero unfortunately let his passion for competing overrule wiser counsel - he may have been loved by the people but he was not liked by the Senate. His insistence in entering competitions thought beneath the dignity of the ruler of Rome, & his absences from the seat of power to compete in the Greek games created a power vacuum. Yes the doors of the temple of Janus were able to be shut during his rule, proclaiming peace across the Empire, but that very same Empire was built on war & conquest, & there was real danger from bored legions stationed far from Rome under competent commanders.
It's a lengthy book (almost 600 pages) & events move quite slowly as this is more about Nero the person & what could have led to his downfall. Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction full of rich detail.
Again in his marriage to Poppaea Sabina, the rumour of him having kicked her in a temper & causing a fatal miscarriage seems overstated. Nero was the last of the Julio-Claudian line of Emperors & a living heir would have been vital for both his family's grip on power & Rome itself. Stability was something the Empire lacked following Nero's death, with the Year of Four Emperors following, before a period of relative calm under Vespasian & the other Flavian Emperors. All in all, it seems like there had been a concerted campaign to malign aspects of Nero's personality & rule, but that is not to say that he was without fault.
He had people killed, including his mother (although to be fair she was trying to kill him too), his first wife (ditto), & many Christians (scapegoats for the fire). A lover & patron of the arts, Nero unfortunately let his passion for competing overrule wiser counsel - he may have been loved by the people but he was not liked by the Senate. His insistence in entering competitions thought beneath the dignity of the ruler of Rome, & his absences from the seat of power to compete in the Greek games created a power vacuum. Yes the doors of the temple of Janus were able to be shut during his rule, proclaiming peace across the Empire, but that very same Empire was built on war & conquest, & there was real danger from bored legions stationed far from Rome under competent commanders.
It's a lengthy book (almost 600 pages) & events move quite slowly as this is more about Nero the person & what could have led to his downfall. Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction full of rich detail.
October 5, 2018
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This book picked up right where the previous book in Margaret George’s Nero series (duology would be a better term) left off. Jumping right into the thick of things, Nero has just learned about the fire sweeping through Rome. He rushes back, determined to do anything he can to stop it. He was in the middle of the efforts to stop the Great Fire, though later he would fall victim to rumors that he started the fire himself to make room for his Golden House, or, infamously, that he was fiddling about the fall of Troy as Rome burned.
Nero’s troubles didn’t end with the last smoke of the fire. He had to deal with fossilized senators from old families who were scandalized that he wanted to do things in new ways. Hey, kind of like the fossilized old farts in the senate today! How much things remain the same… Nero wanted to introduce arts and theatre and culture to Rome, and Rome, especially the patrician Romans, wanted nothing to do with it.
He also had to deal with numerous revolts, uprisings, and betrayals during his reign. Nero changed from an idealistic young boy to a somewhat paranoid man because of the betrayals he had suffered in his short life. He thought that betrayal, when it inevitably came, would come from within his family or possibly the senate, but he never saw it coming from the provinces or his Praetorian Guard. And certainly not from some of those he trusted most.
I really loved this book, at least as much as the first Nero book Ms George wrote. Here, we truly get to see Nero as he most likely really was - a sensitive, thoughtful man who wanted to make sweeping changes to a centuries-old system and instead got destroyed in the politics of it. He was first and foremost an artist and musician, loving nothing more than to write and perform poetry and music. I took years and years of Latin from high school through grad school; I’ve read Tacitus and his comments about Nero. I never thought they seemed very realistic. The outstanding research that went into this book and its predecessor really highlights how misunderstood Nero has become to history. He wasn’t insane, cruel, or in love with persecuting Christians. He was flawed, yes, maybe a bit childish and naive for the ruler of the known world. Likely he was a bit narcissistic, or at least he came across that way somewhat, but not in a malignant way *coughtrumpcough* nor in an entirely self-centered way, if that makes sense. His narcissism, such as it was, seemed to be derived purely from being a child of luxury and privilege and not knowing anything else. Sometimes while reading this, I felt a little embarrassed for him, as I think I was meant to, because, like others in the room with Nero, I wanted to tell him to stop, or ask him, “Don’t you know you can’t do that/say that here to these people?” He was so idealistic that he was really clueless about a lot of things, and it made him a target in a variety of ways.
As with all her other books, Margaret George has some absolutely lovely prose in this one as well. When speaking of the gods and religion, Nero has many things to say that were intriguing and well crafted. When one senator accused him of being an atheist, Nero replied that, in practical terms, he is because
Later, regarding the Christians who he ordered executed for their alleged role in the fire, Nero said,
As an atheist myself, I don’t feel this way about religion, but I do understand the sentiment. I hold many things in higher regard than my own life. Nero felt this way about his art, and came to realize he felt that way about Rome itself.
Combining thoughts on religion with philosophy, another of Nero’s favorite pastimes, is a terrific scene that comes just after he competes in his first chariot race. Nero’s wife Poppaea berates him for racing, an act that a charioteer (i.e., a slave) would do, not a patrician, and she was afraid for him for many reasons. She told him he was acting like a child:
This one reminded me to cherish my daughter’s childhood and to get more in touch with my own inner child. When Nero is on stage or talking about the arts, his true love, is when his real personality comes through. Nero and an actor are discussing the destruction of many of the theatres in the fire and how to rebuild so that plays can be put on again. Nero says,
I love this exchange so hard because it encompasses so much of what the humanities as a whole stand for. If you’ve known me for any length of time at all, you will have been subject to one of my epic soapbox rants about the vital role the humanities play in modern society and how it is stupid and short-sighted to cut such programs from schools. The humanities teach us literally the human experience, how people experience the world around them. We may have all kinds of cool technology now, but someone had to think it up in the first place, and think about how it impacts human life and experience. Just...don’t get me started. But I loved this scene for a lot of reasons.
Overall, I think this was just about a perfect novel. I just loved the deep research that clearly went into it, and the discovery of a man who is so different than how he is often portrayed in history. I think Margaret George has uncovered a more realistic version of Nero than anyone else and I adore the way she handles him and the multitude of myths and scandals that surround him.
This book picked up right where the previous book in Margaret George’s Nero series (duology would be a better term) left off. Jumping right into the thick of things, Nero has just learned about the fire sweeping through Rome. He rushes back, determined to do anything he can to stop it. He was in the middle of the efforts to stop the Great Fire, though later he would fall victim to rumors that he started the fire himself to make room for his Golden House, or, infamously, that he was fiddling about the fall of Troy as Rome burned.
Nero’s troubles didn’t end with the last smoke of the fire. He had to deal with fossilized senators from old families who were scandalized that he wanted to do things in new ways. Hey, kind of like the fossilized old farts in the senate today! How much things remain the same… Nero wanted to introduce arts and theatre and culture to Rome, and Rome, especially the patrician Romans, wanted nothing to do with it.
He also had to deal with numerous revolts, uprisings, and betrayals during his reign. Nero changed from an idealistic young boy to a somewhat paranoid man because of the betrayals he had suffered in his short life. He thought that betrayal, when it inevitably came, would come from within his family or possibly the senate, but he never saw it coming from the provinces or his Praetorian Guard. And certainly not from some of those he trusted most.
I really loved this book, at least as much as the first Nero book Ms George wrote. Here, we truly get to see Nero as he most likely really was - a sensitive, thoughtful man who wanted to make sweeping changes to a centuries-old system and instead got destroyed in the politics of it. He was first and foremost an artist and musician, loving nothing more than to write and perform poetry and music. I took years and years of Latin from high school through grad school; I’ve read Tacitus and his comments about Nero. I never thought they seemed very realistic. The outstanding research that went into this book and its predecessor really highlights how misunderstood Nero has become to history. He wasn’t insane, cruel, or in love with persecuting Christians. He was flawed, yes, maybe a bit childish and naive for the ruler of the known world. Likely he was a bit narcissistic, or at least he came across that way somewhat, but not in a malignant way *coughtrumpcough* nor in an entirely self-centered way, if that makes sense. His narcissism, such as it was, seemed to be derived purely from being a child of luxury and privilege and not knowing anything else. Sometimes while reading this, I felt a little embarrassed for him, as I think I was meant to, because, like others in the room with Nero, I wanted to tell him to stop, or ask him, “Don’t you know you can’t do that/say that here to these people?” He was so idealistic that he was really clueless about a lot of things, and it made him a target in a variety of ways.
As with all her other books, Margaret George has some absolutely lovely prose in this one as well. When speaking of the gods and religion, Nero has many things to say that were intriguing and well crafted. When one senator accused him of being an atheist, Nero replied that, in practical terms, he is because
"since we cannot know [the gods’] thoughts, it is best to admit that and proceed in the dark, unlike ignorant people who think they know and make stupid interpretations."
Later, regarding the Christians who he ordered executed for their alleged role in the fire, Nero said,
“In some ways they are to be envied…. Having something so precious that it overrides all else in your life, even your life itself.”
As an atheist myself, I don’t feel this way about religion, but I do understand the sentiment. I hold many things in higher regard than my own life. Nero felt this way about his art, and came to realize he felt that way about Rome itself.
Combining thoughts on religion with philosophy, another of Nero’s favorite pastimes, is a terrific scene that comes just after he competes in his first chariot race. Nero’s wife Poppaea berates him for racing, an act that a charioteer (i.e., a slave) would do, not a patrician, and she was afraid for him for many reasons. She told him he was acting like a child:
“You are no longer a child. Or are you? You behave like one.”
“If I behave like one, it is because deep inside the child is still there.” …
“Childhood is a phase of life, to be put aside as one grows up.”
“No, it should be cherished, because it is the truest part of ourselves, the part that came into being first. ...It is when we are our childhood selves that we are closest to the gods.”
This one reminded me to cherish my daughter’s childhood and to get more in touch with my own inner child. When Nero is on stage or talking about the arts, his true love, is when his real personality comes through. Nero and an actor are discussing the destruction of many of the theatres in the fire and how to rebuild so that plays can be put on again. Nero says,
“Yes, people need that. Especially after such sorrow. It helps them to know that life goes on.”
“Oddly enough, tragedies are a remedy for that. They put our own sorrows in context, the context of being human. Suffering is woven into all existence.”
“Oh my,” [says Nero,] “perhaps you are in the wrong profession, and belong with the philosophers.”
“Actors bring philosophy to people in a form they can understand,” [the actor] said.
I love this exchange so hard because it encompasses so much of what the humanities as a whole stand for. If you’ve known me for any length of time at all, you will have been subject to one of my epic soapbox rants about the vital role the humanities play in modern society and how it is stupid and short-sighted to cut such programs from schools. The humanities teach us literally the human experience, how people experience the world around them. We may have all kinds of cool technology now, but someone had to think it up in the first place, and think about how it impacts human life and experience. Just...don’t get me started. But I loved this scene for a lot of reasons.
Overall, I think this was just about a perfect novel. I just loved the deep research that clearly went into it, and the discovery of a man who is so different than how he is often portrayed in history. I think Margaret George has uncovered a more realistic version of Nero than anyone else and I adore the way she handles him and the multitude of myths and scandals that surround him.
October 13, 2020
Another cracker from Margaret George, as she does what she does best and that is taking famous (or infamous) figures from history and making them so believable, so relatable and so human. As with her Henry VIII novel there are very sad moments, very tense moments and some joyous and genuinely humorous moments.
The other thing that I loved about this book was that it challenged a lot of the rumours and indeed outright myths surrounding Nero. Given that most of what we know of the man was written by people who outlived him and as such had a vested interest in rubbishing him now that they were working for a new Emperor of Rome. Not that he was a saint but with the nest of vipers the man grew up in is it any wonder he had his flaws? I mean the Julio Claudian Dynasty wasn't exactly a wholesome environment to grow up in. I won't spoil anything but suffice to say George puts across a lot of "What if it went down like this?" options to some of the more infamous situations in Nero's life.
I think really to sum it up, like other Margaret George books that I have had the pleasure to read I was genuinely sad when I came to the end of this book, which in my mind is when you know you have read something special.
The other thing that I loved about this book was that it challenged a lot of the rumours and indeed outright myths surrounding Nero. Given that most of what we know of the man was written by people who outlived him and as such had a vested interest in rubbishing him now that they were working for a new Emperor of Rome. Not that he was a saint but with the nest of vipers the man grew up in is it any wonder he had his flaws? I mean the Julio Claudian Dynasty wasn't exactly a wholesome environment to grow up in. I won't spoil anything but suffice to say George puts across a lot of "What if it went down like this?" options to some of the more infamous situations in Nero's life.
I think really to sum it up, like other Margaret George books that I have had the pleasure to read I was genuinely sad when I came to the end of this book, which in my mind is when you know you have read something special.
December 20, 2018
It's probably unfortunate that I didn't read the first volume in this series, as it might have changed my impression of Nero. But just going from this, I found him surprisingly sympathetic, and I was pleased to see that new research has shown he didn't fiddle while Rome burned (no fiddles yet, for one thing, not for another 800 years). A little fake news culled from gossip in the distant past. (How little things have changed) Interesting look at Nero the actor, musician, athlete, supporter of culture, builder of a new Rome. I've never been disappointed in Margaret George's historical novels--well-researched, compelling, and always from the point of view of the character, Nero here, so all the more immersive. (Though my favorite Roman historical novels remain Robert Harris' Cicero Trilogy starting with Imperium)
February 15, 2021
I awoke in the milky dawn, that opalescent hour outside time.
This is a continuation of The Confessions of Young Nero. The story covers the last few years of Nero's life.
Margaret George never ceases to astound me. I often feel that I am standing with the characters as I read. I enjoyed the different points of view that allow us to see Nero better. Nero is not portrayed as the crazed man known for murder and destruction. Instead, we get to see past the façade to a man that had ideas that were not necessarily brought to fruition.
This is an excellent read for any one interested in Roman history and Nero.
This is a continuation of The Confessions of Young Nero. The story covers the last few years of Nero's life.
Margaret George never ceases to astound me. I often feel that I am standing with the characters as I read. I enjoyed the different points of view that allow us to see Nero better. Nero is not portrayed as the crazed man known for murder and destruction. Instead, we get to see past the façade to a man that had ideas that were not necessarily brought to fruition.
This is an excellent read for any one interested in Roman history and Nero.
January 7, 2019
George's masterful story telling pulls us back into Roman time of the Emperor Nero. An Emperor that excelled in many talents and spurned for his more Grecian ways. I felt sorry for this misunderstood man, whose childhood was one fraught with dangers as he was of royal lineage. He only wants to be a good Emperor to Rome and its many provinces.
A dreamer of grand things for Rome and who finds himself in a perilous situation as others plot to bring Nero down.
The Confessions of a Young Nero and The Splendor before the Dark are my book picks for 2018! They are absolutely amazing and you will not want to set them down. Not even to sleep or answer your Mom's phone call.
A dreamer of grand things for Rome and who finds himself in a perilous situation as others plot to bring Nero down.
The Confessions of a Young Nero and The Splendor before the Dark are my book picks for 2018! They are absolutely amazing and you will not want to set them down. Not even to sleep or answer your Mom's phone call.
March 4, 2019
Combined with the first book in this set, this is an absolute must read for anyone with an interest in Roman history. In this version, Nero tells his own story; and it is very different from that left to us by the only 3 Roman authors who also do this. George points out that Suetonius, Dio Cassius, and Tacitus all had a reason for writing as they do about the last of the Julio-Claudians. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.
February 10, 2020
This is an intriguing story presented from the viewpoint of Nero himself but also with a few chapters that give a voice to those closest to him. The book sheds a different & perhaps less biased light on the character of Nero & his somewhat brief reign of Emperor -- there was sufficient plotline and detail and character development to make this a believable interpretation that focusses on his spell as the Ruler of Rome after the Republic was formed, and without being overly explanatory or justifying his actions. In fact, he comes across as a somewhat more likeable fellow than what's usually presented in most histories! Some references are made on the book cover to re-interpretations of the Nero years, that perhaps it was a bit more of a golden era for a short time, despite the tyranny and paranoia of the times, and notwithstanding his sudden & vicious demise. An enjoyable read for anyone who likes historical fiction that appears to be based on known facts and accepts the narrative licence of the author.
January 26, 2022
This was the second book in this series… and I should have left well enough alone after reading the first. This story moved so slow, and despite all that he did there was no ‘intrigue’ or plot twist where I feel like there definitely could have been. It’s like a car had run out of gas and was slowly rolling along until it stalled out completely. Historical fiction is my favorite genre so I’m sure I’ll be reading one of Margaret George’s books in the future (Helen of Troy is still one of my all time favorite books). But glad to be moving on from this one.
April 27, 2022
This is more like a 3.5 star read for me. It’s been my read that’s hung out in my backpack and I’ve read in between classes, so it was slow going. But really, the last third of the book felt like it really dragged which was sad because I liked the first book so much. There were some pages that I skimmed because of the info dumping about the same thing over and over again. All and all I did like it, it just felt like a chore towards the end.
February 24, 2025
I really loved this book and the previous one. It is based on things we know for certain happened in Nero’s life, but so many details are murky. As they say, “history is written by the winners”. Very much the case for him.
It has been really interesting reading about the path his life took as a young boy, until his death. He was an artist and it seems he hadn’t been that interested in becoming an emperor. He took pride in being a leader, but based on his performances on stage and as a charioteer, it is likely it wasn’t his first choice as a career. The common people of Rome loved him, which to me says he was a good leader and a good person. I loved read about his extraordinary life and Ancient Rome.
It has been really interesting reading about the path his life took as a young boy, until his death. He was an artist and it seems he hadn’t been that interested in becoming an emperor. He took pride in being a leader, but based on his performances on stage and as a charioteer, it is likely it wasn’t his first choice as a career. The common people of Rome loved him, which to me says he was a good leader and a good person. I loved read about his extraordinary life and Ancient Rome.
February 17, 2020
As always with Margaret George, an epic read! These two books about Nero encouraged me to read and go to other sources about Nero. Margaret George said she hoped these books would give the reader a different opinion of Nero, a kinder one. For me, she accomplished that goal.
July 22, 2018
What an amazing novel. More thoughts to follow.
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