Conspirata

A Novel of Ancient Rome

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

On the eve of Marcus Cicero's inauguration as consul of Rome, the grisly death of a boy sends ripples of fear through a city already wracked by civil unrest, crime, and debauchery of every kind. Felled by a hammer, his throat slit and his organs removed, the young slave appears to have been offered as a human sacrifice, forbidden as an abomination in the Roman Republic.

For Cicero, the ill forebodings of this hideous murder only increase his frustrations and the dangers he already faces as Rome's leader: elected by the people but despised by the heads of the two rival camps, the patricians and populists.

Caught in a political shell game that leaves him forever putting out fires only to have them ignite elsewhere, Cicero plays both for the future of the republic and his very life. There is a plot to assassinate Cicero, abetted by a rising young star of the Roman senate named Gaius Julius Caesar - and it will take all the embattled consul's wit, strength, and force of will to stop it and keep Rome from becoming a dictatorship.

In this second novel of his Roman trilogy, following the best-selling Imperium, Robert Harris once again weaves a compelling and historically accurate tale of intrigue told in the wise and compassionate voice of Cicero's slave and private secretary, Tiro. In the manner of I, Claudius, Harris vividly evokes ancient Rome and its politics for today's listeners, documenting a world not unlike our own - where the impulse toward dominance competes with the risk of overreach, where high-minded ideals can be a liability, and where someone is always waiting in the wings for a chance to set the world on fire.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend us your ears: listen to another Novel of Ancient Rome.

©2010 Robert Harris (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Republican Rome, with all its grandeur and corruption, has rarely been made as vivid....The allure of power and the perils that attend it have seldom been so brilliantly anatomized in a thriller." ( The Sunday Times, London)

Fly on the wall

Cicero is one of those important figures in western political and literary history. This
is a close up view of his entire career. Well worth listening to.

Another Winner From The Pen of Robert Harris

I walked through Rome. Learned about the intriguing world of Roman politics. Things really have not changed much over the years! I learned about 'The Haves'' and ''The Have Nots' together with all the complications of their class structure. Got me thinking that again...have we really changed as basic human beings?

One poignant story line that struck me at the end of this beautifully written book was the love, respect and loyalty between a man of high birth and his lowly slave.

The narrator brought each word to life. I feel so sad that this volume has ended. Will definitely be one to revisit like an old friend over the years to come.

Like River Gods?

Would you consider the audio edition of Conspirata to be better than the print version?

This story is about Caesar's Rome and provides a really great view about what it would have been like if you were one of the powers at that time and all of the intrigue. I thought of current day Washington the entire time I listened to it.

What other book might you compare Conspirata to and why?

Wilbur Smith's River Gods books

Have you listened to any of Simon Jones’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

No

Best way to read roman history

Where does Conspirata rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its in the middle. But what I loved about it was that it tracked very closely the books on Roman history that I have read, but made that history come to life in a way that I remembered the facts.

Rich and absorbing storytelling!

Would you consider the audio edition of Conspirata to be better than the print version?

Have not read the print version

What was one of the most memorable moments of Conspirata?

Harris writes the Cicero in a way that makes him seem not only real, but you end up feeling you are on intimate terms with him. The most memorable part was feeling I knew all the characters personally or was speaking to a friend, who was speaking with me about other friends, who like us were ancient Romans.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes where Cicero wins over the antagonist who is exploiting the weak in the Roman provinces through clever maneuvering and internal politics. I'd say more but don't want to be a spolier.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When we learn Cicero stuttered and overcame it and became a famous orator and force in Rome. Especially when his old enemies remember it and try to tease him about it. After one knows this his defeat of his foes with his rhetoric, wit, strategy and understanding of Rome and the human character is more moving and powerful.

Any additional comments?

At times I felt Cicero was sharing inside gossip and secrets about others in Rome, then had to remember this is fiction and Cicero was real, but this is a story. Great stuff and well worth the money. I was working on 12 foot "roman walls" for the stage design of "Antigone" while listening to it, so the perfect time to enjoy the audio book.

Better than the first book

The sequel is phenomenally better than the first book although the first book is also phenomenal and then itself so you can’t go wrong with either but I definitely have to recommend this one is worth your time either is read or listen to it look fun

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful

What made the experience of listening to Conspirata the most enjoyable?

Imperium and Conspirata are wonderful books. The story is riveting and fascinating. I can't wait for the third in the series. Imperium is the better of the two books, but you just can't beat them in terms of historical information and a cracking good story. Harris has just done a splendid job with these two books. I have listened to both of them several times, and keep going back. The writing is excellent - a real treat to listen to. The characters are so well developed and memorable.

Which character – as performed by Simon Jones – was your favorite?

Simon Jones is just the best. He records a lot of children's material which I wouldn't nbt normally listen to, but I can tell you I've looked at everything he's done to see if there's anything else I would like. He is just so talented and a real pleasure to listen to. There is evidently another version of both Imperium and Conspriata narrated by someone else. DON'T MISS OUT ON SIMON JONES. Definitely get the Jones version. I just fell in love with Tiro, Cicero's slave who is the narrator of the story. But, Jones makes every character in the book come alive. If I were Harris, I would kill to get him to narrate my books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both books are fascinating and I still laugh out loud at some parts even though I've listened to both books over and over again.

Any additional comments?

I just can't recommend these novels and the narrator highly enough. A real treat and treasure. I can't wait for the third book in the series and I do hope that Simon Jones is the narrator. I'm afraid it would be ruined with another narrator, at least for me.

A+ Historical Fiction

I have a PhD in Classics, and I absolutely love Harris's historical fiction! Highly recommended!

performance

Great Narration. Simon Jones brings Cisero, Pompey, Crassus, and Ceasar to life. 3rd Robert Harris book I've read. I will now buy the next one!

too important

anyone not familiar with how the roman republic fell should have their voting privileges revoked.