kassi_kennedy's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know if Margaret George is especially talented at writing about Rome or if it is my own interest in these characters that makes this book and Memoirs of Cleopatra so special to me, but I loved reading this book.
There is an almost mythical darkness in the story and I think it would speak to anyone simply because it's archetypal. I would highly recommend this book to any person interested in historical fiction and, if Nero is not an interesting character for you, I'd recommend Memoirs of Cleopatra as Geroge wrote exceedingly well in that book as well.
There is an almost mythical darkness in the story and I think it would speak to anyone simply because it's archetypal. I would highly recommend this book to any person interested in historical fiction and, if Nero is not an interesting character for you, I'd recommend Memoirs of Cleopatra as Geroge wrote exceedingly well in that book as well.
apriltwilights's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have read everything by Margaret George and this was by far my least favorite. It was such a slog. I don't know why, but I was bored to tears the entire time I read it.
sofia_brizio's review against another edition
2.0
Only got through the first few chapters of the audiobook. I don’t think it’s a bad book in itself, but the fact that the audio version is read by a full cast and in a very melodramatic way really put me off. Will maybe give it a second chance with the physical version.
hekate24's review against another edition
2.0
The best summary of this book's flaws come from the USA Today review of it:
In short, it’s a city you’ll believe — filled, unfortunately, with people you won’t.
Margaret George clearly did a lot of research. This book is full of window dressing about life in ancient Rome; everything from daily life to major celebrations and festivals. In that respect it's the kind of immersive experience I hope to get from historical fiction.
However the people... Well. The characterization is about as flimsy as Agrippina's assassination boat.
The book starts out somewhat strong. There's a subtle exploration of kid Nero's trauma and general befuddlement with adult politics. Each chapter seems to bring increasingly diminishing returns. In the author's note, Margaret George states she wants to redeem a maligned historical figure. That's all well and good. However, this Nero is bland, with absolutely no agency whatsoever. Nearly all of his negative acts are assigned to someone else. When Nero actually does do something morally dubious, the narrative twists itself in knots to make it self-defense. The author claims he couldn't have been that bad because people left flowers on his grave after his death, apparently missing that even charismatic leaders have their detractors. Often with good reason. In all honesty, this just feels like a mirror image of the ancient Roman sources that the author's notes cite. Instead of him being pure evil, he's 99.9% wonderful. Both takes are boring and unlikely.
This could have been forgivable in some respects if the author had tried to reconsider other historical figures who get caricatured in the popular imagination. But, no, Agrippina is an incestuous murderer. Messalina is malevolent and suicidally promiscuous (the narrative literally calling her "pure evil" at one point.) Caligula is a maniac, even though he was subject to missing contemporaneous sources as well. The narrative tries to blend all the different caricatures of Claudius into one but isn't really successful, so it's impossible to know what he's all about. Whenever things seem to build to an interesting point of conflict between two characters, the narrative just drops it. Case in point:
I'm deeply annoyed by this book and would have given it one star but for one thing. Like I said before, it's really good at portraying a time and place. I'll probably read the sequel out of morbid fascination.
In short, it’s a city you’ll believe — filled, unfortunately, with people you won’t.
Margaret George clearly did a lot of research. This book is full of window dressing about life in ancient Rome; everything from daily life to major celebrations and festivals. In that respect it's the kind of immersive experience I hope to get from historical fiction.
However the people... Well. The characterization is about as flimsy as Agrippina's assassination boat.
The book starts out somewhat strong. There's a subtle exploration of kid Nero's trauma and general befuddlement with adult politics. Each chapter seems to bring increasingly diminishing returns. In the author's note, Margaret George states she wants to redeem a maligned historical figure. That's all well and good. However, this Nero is bland, with absolutely no agency whatsoever. Nearly all of his negative acts are assigned to someone else. When Nero actually does do something morally dubious, the narrative twists itself in knots to make it self-defense. The author claims he couldn't have been that bad because people left flowers on his grave after his death, apparently missing that even charismatic leaders have their detractors. Often with good reason. In all honesty, this just feels like a mirror image of the ancient Roman sources that the author's notes cite. Instead of him being pure evil, he's 99.9% wonderful. Both takes are boring and unlikely.
This could have been forgivable in some respects if the author had tried to reconsider other historical figures who get caricatured in the popular imagination. But, no, Agrippina is an incestuous murderer. Messalina is malevolent and suicidally promiscuous (the narrative literally calling her "pure evil" at one point.) Caligula is a maniac, even though he was subject to missing contemporaneous sources as well. The narrative tries to blend all the different caricatures of Claudius into one but isn't really successful, so it's impossible to know what he's all about. Whenever things seem to build to an interesting point of conflict between two characters, the narrative just drops it. Case in point:
Spoiler
After a certain point, Nero knows Octavia has tried to have him killed. Octavia knows he's killed her brother. They still have to be married and perform official functions together. But the narrative almost entirely elides showing these interactions, probably because it will remind the audience that Nero is not an angel. This kind of thing happens over and overI'm deeply annoyed by this book and would have given it one star but for one thing. Like I said before, it's really good at portraying a time and place. I'll probably read the sequel out of morbid fascination.
Spoiler
I'm very curious to see how it will wriggle out of Nero beating his pregnant wife to death. I suspect either someone else will do it but the blame will be placed on Nero, or she will have provoked Nero in some way. It will be interesting to see.dwcofer's review against another edition
5.0
Typically, I do not read historical fiction, but this book was an absolute goldmine of a book. It is the story of the Roman emperor Nero. The book was extremely well researched and historically accurate. It was obvious Margaret George conducted a ton of research before writing this book. The book presents a side of Nero that most of us have never heard of or read of before. The prose flowed well, like water running downhill. The narrative was easy to read and was engaging. It is a long book, over 500 pages, so it took a while to read, but it was a joy to do so.
The story is told in the first person POV, mostly from Nero’s perspective, with a few chapters told from the point of view of other characters, such as Locusta, a poisoner, and Acte, one of Nero’s lovers.
This book shows a side of Nero not often seen. Nero is often portrayed as the emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned.” But George shows several other perspectives of the great emperor. Nero was a visionary in engineering, architecture, and urban planning. He was exceedingly generous and identified with the common man more than he did with the aristocrats of the day. Nero was blessed with artistic talent and culture. He was a poet, musician, athlete, and chariot racer, who had a passion for the arts and performing on stage.
This book is part one of a two book series and ends at the great fire in Rome. I plan to read the second book in the series immediately. While this book ends at the fire, it and the second book (as I understand) can each stand on their own.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially for fans of ancient Rome and those who love a great historical fiction novel. Even though I do not normally care for historical fiction, this book may make me change my mind about that.
The story is told in the first person POV, mostly from Nero’s perspective, with a few chapters told from the point of view of other characters, such as Locusta, a poisoner, and Acte, one of Nero’s lovers.
This book shows a side of Nero not often seen. Nero is often portrayed as the emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned.” But George shows several other perspectives of the great emperor. Nero was a visionary in engineering, architecture, and urban planning. He was exceedingly generous and identified with the common man more than he did with the aristocrats of the day. Nero was blessed with artistic talent and culture. He was a poet, musician, athlete, and chariot racer, who had a passion for the arts and performing on stage.
This book is part one of a two book series and ends at the great fire in Rome. I plan to read the second book in the series immediately. While this book ends at the fire, it and the second book (as I understand) can each stand on their own.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially for fans of ancient Rome and those who love a great historical fiction novel. Even though I do not normally care for historical fiction, this book may make me change my mind about that.
ijill14's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally posted on journeyintotheshelves.tumblr.com & journeyintotheshelves.wordpress.com
**I received an eARC of this book courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group from NetGalley. This has had no bearing on this review.
Nearly everyone knows who Nero is on some basic level. When I asked my mother about him (someone who has never studied Ancient Roman history), all she knew about him was that he was the Emperor who let Rome burn. Before reading this novel, that was the extent of my knowledge of Nero as well. Now I can say, I know a little bit more.
Margaret George does a fantastic job at humanizing the man known as Nero. By beginning the narration at such a young age, the book opens when Nero — then known as Lucius — is only four years old, she is able to pick out moments that defined his character and shaped him into the man that the world knew and feared. He does not begin as a devious little child, but someone who loves the arts and yearns for someone to love.
Not only does George sculpt a new image for Nero that few know, she also paints the Rome that he lived in so vividly. From chariot races to the conniving and backstabbing political world that Nero finds himself in, George’s Ancient Rome does not shy away from the truth. The addition of what the real Rome looked like is why George’s historical fiction novels, this one in particular, puts her far above other historical fiction writers.
However, on a more personal level, I found myself constantly questioning the text (which is why the rating is not as high as my review would suggest). Because of the nature of the subject matter and the detailed facts that George is able to weave into the story, I flipped back and forth between enjoying the novel and thinking “did this really happen this way?”. Though it is a historical fiction novel, I kept questioning the validity of certain aspects, despite the immense amount of research that I know George did in the process of writing this novel. This constant mental shift continued to take me out of the story every couple of chapters, and made the reading a bit difficult at times.
Overall, I did enjoy reading The Confessions of Young Nero. It’s a highly detailed piece of art, and it gives life and heart to a man that many know as cruel and heartless. If anyone is looking for a way into learning about Ancient Rome without reading a meaty textbook or non-fiction work, you should read this book.
**I received an eARC of this book courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group from NetGalley. This has had no bearing on this review.
Nearly everyone knows who Nero is on some basic level. When I asked my mother about him (someone who has never studied Ancient Roman history), all she knew about him was that he was the Emperor who let Rome burn. Before reading this novel, that was the extent of my knowledge of Nero as well. Now I can say, I know a little bit more.
Margaret George does a fantastic job at humanizing the man known as Nero. By beginning the narration at such a young age, the book opens when Nero — then known as Lucius — is only four years old, she is able to pick out moments that defined his character and shaped him into the man that the world knew and feared. He does not begin as a devious little child, but someone who loves the arts and yearns for someone to love.
Not only does George sculpt a new image for Nero that few know, she also paints the Rome that he lived in so vividly. From chariot races to the conniving and backstabbing political world that Nero finds himself in, George’s Ancient Rome does not shy away from the truth. The addition of what the real Rome looked like is why George’s historical fiction novels, this one in particular, puts her far above other historical fiction writers.
However, on a more personal level, I found myself constantly questioning the text (which is why the rating is not as high as my review would suggest). Because of the nature of the subject matter and the detailed facts that George is able to weave into the story, I flipped back and forth between enjoying the novel and thinking “did this really happen this way?”. Though it is a historical fiction novel, I kept questioning the validity of certain aspects, despite the immense amount of research that I know George did in the process of writing this novel. This constant mental shift continued to take me out of the story every couple of chapters, and made the reading a bit difficult at times.
Overall, I did enjoy reading The Confessions of Young Nero. It’s a highly detailed piece of art, and it gives life and heart to a man that many know as cruel and heartless. If anyone is looking for a way into learning about Ancient Rome without reading a meaty textbook or non-fiction work, you should read this book.
readers_block's review against another edition
4.0
What fun this book was. I immediately reserved the next one at the library.
I whipped through this story of Nero's childhood and ascent to power. It's a pretty big book but it goes fast. I love MG's approach to fictionalizing Nero's life and reign, learning about Seneca and the others in his circle. Just a fascinating look at the absolute chaos and lifestyle of a Roman Emperor.
rajigo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emscorner's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on Nero that makes you see the human side of him. I enjoyed seeing a young Nero who loved art and athletics and found comfort in those things. I even found myself rooting for him and hoping he wouldn’t give into that third dark side of himself. It was such a lovely read.
flippyjones's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0