The New York Times bestselling and legendary author of Helen of Troy and Elizabeth I now turns her gaze on Emperor Nero, one of the most notorious and misunderstood figures in history. Built on the backs of those who fell before it, Julius Caesar’s imperial dynasty is only as strong as the next person who seeks to control it. In the Roman Empire no one is safe from the sting of betrayal: man, … safe from the sting of betrayal: man, woman—or child.
As a boy, Nero’s royal heritage becomes a threat to his very life, first when the mad emperor Caligula tries to drown him, then when his great aunt attempts to secure her own son’s inheritance. Faced with shocking acts of treachery, young Nero is dealt a harsh lesson: it is better to be cruel than dead.
While Nero idealizes the artistic and athletic principles of Greece, his very survival rests on his ability to navigate the sea of vipers that is Rome. The most lethal of all is his own mother, a cold-blooded woman whose singular goal is to control the empire. With cunning and poison, the obstacles fall one by one. But as Agrippina’s machinations earn her son a title he is both tempted and terrified to assume, Nero’s determination to escape her thrall will shape him into the man he was fated to become—an Emperor who became legendary.
With impeccable research and captivating prose, The Confessions of Young Nero is the story of a boy’s ruthless ascension to the throne. Detailing his journey from innocent youth to infamous ruler, it is an epic tale of the lengths to which man will go in the ultimate quest for power and survival.
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George’s account is not only sympathetic but most truthful.
Thrilling, involving storytelling that brings the ancient world to life.
Carefully researched, vivid, and passionately told.
Brilliantly recreates past eras and bygone civilizations.
Wow! Margaret George—the reigning queen of historical fiction—is back with this epic saga that vividly re-imagines the life of young Nero in all its operatic, dramatic glory.
Margaret George has performed about the most audacious act imaginable for a historical novelist—an epic work of fiction not merely sympathetic to Nero, but told largely in his own voice. I applaud. And so, I imagine, does that connoisseur of the arts Nero, watching from Elysium.
The mix of reality and fiction made this a good read. I wanted to know Nero!
Loved it!
A wonderful novel, from the riveting first scene to the breathtaking finale.
Another one of Margaret George’s great historical works! This book presents Nero in a different light and at times you can almost feel sorry for him. And you realize as you read that he really had no choice but to become the person we all know in order to survive.
A different take on Nero
An epic of Nero’s last four years of life. One can feel the “honeyed sunshine” and smell the crisp laurel leaves in this tragedy of history. A troubled and ambivalent man, but with courage and vision. Well done, Ms. George!!
Interesting view of Nero
I did not finish the book it was a little slow
A quirky different view of a famous individual in history
Not sure if it is just that Nero was a very non-interesting Emperor but I found the book difficult to finished, although I’m working on getting the job done. Writing is good, character boring.
I love historical novels and this book lets you see into the seedy world of Roman politics and understand the complexity of what I previously thought was just a crazy emperor. You can understand why he might have become the insensitive ruler he was.
Showed Nero ina different light….. great read
FANTASTIC!!! I can’t say enough about how incredible this novel is. I am waiting to begin the sequel as soon as it comes out in early November. If you haven’t already read this novel, you definitely should!
This was a great historical novel. I have liked all of Margaret George’s books. If you are a fan of Historical novels, you will enjoy this book.