The Splendor Before the Dark

A Novel of the Emperor Nero

By: Margaret George

Narrated by: Steve West, Katharine Lee McEwan, Susan Denaker

Length: 21 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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 10th 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)

©2018 Margaret George (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"George’s nuanced, well-researched character study depicts his candid inner self and how the performance of his short life played out on the Roman Empire’s vast stage. It succeeds admirably in persuading readers to reconsider their impressions of the infamous Nero." (Booklist starred review)

"A riveting, rich read with a breathtaking finale." (Woman’s World)

"Fascinating and fun." (The New York Post)

Great Escapist Literature

The Nero within these pages made me shed a tear or two. Whether or not the author's depiction is close to reality probably will never be known. However, the author showed a universal truth; for every 'monster's there is someone who loves him. Margaret George elevates historical fiction so brilliantly that it makes a reader weep for a man herald as the anti-christ. Amazing read.

Excellent!

Full of drama and history, this is a stunning book. Margaret George is a wonderful author, and the narrators are FABULOUS

I never knew!

I love history and I love learning from it. But I like it to be interesting! These two novels this is the second are incredibly interesting. Margaret George brings Nero to life. I have heard the rumors of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. This puts a logical explanation to it. This book is worth reading by anyone who loves historical fiction.

So good

Margaret George is the master at dropping one into the world of historical people and like Henry and Mary and Cleopatra and Helen she too k o is this out of the park
Fantastic readers too

Awesome narration - enjoyed the characterizations,

What a dramatic life; I think Nero himself would be pleased! Poppaea's connections with Pompeii and the House of the Menander made me wonder if the famous "portrait" might have caught Nero's attention on a visit??

Great sequel!

Another great read by one of my favorite authors. I’d read The Confessions of Young Nero first. I was anxious to see how his life continued. Although reading Confessions first isn’t really necessary, I highly recommend it so the reader can have a better understanding of his childhood and the people and events that take him into adulthood. Narration is very good!

I love this book! such a great retelling

this is such a great retelling if a very misunderstood man who may have been eccentric, but was definitely ahead of his time

Intriguing

As usual Margret George delivers a compelling story that is well written. Great listen for history buffs.

Not So Splendid for Nero

This book was recommended on The View so I thought I would take a chance. I'm glad I did. I learned so much about the workings of the Roman Empire. I see that politics have not changed! Nero was a tortured soul in so many areas of his life. He had his mother assassinated. He survived conspiracies to overthrow his government. He accidentally killed his pregnant wife. There was so much more that explained to me about the fall of the Roman Empire. I really enjoyed the end of the book where the author told about her research for the story. This is a good book for people interested in the history of the Roman Empire.

A great book, don't be turned off by the subject!

This story, and the first book about his youth, beautifully written and researched, illustrates how a sensitive artistic person may have been influenced and molded by the people around him, many of whom would do anything to achieve power . It is a fascinating look into this ancient dynasty's intrigues and its accomplishments as well.