The Confessions of Young Nero

By: Margaret George

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

Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling 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, 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.

©2017 Margaret George (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“George’s reconstruction of the man, in terms both of his public life and private character, is more than a revisiting of fact: It’s a subtle exploration of identity and the insidious effects of power.... ‘Confessions’ is all about identity: How is it made, lost, reinvented?... Margaret George occupies that blurry space between history and fiction. And between Tacitus and Margaret George, I rather think it’s George’s account that is not only most sympathetic but most truthful.” (Diana Gabaldon, Washington Post)

“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.” (Steven Saylor, author of Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome)

"Margaret George has an incredible talent in that she can stand in the shoes of her protagonist and speak in his or her voice.” (Barbara Taylor Bradford, author of The Cavendon Luck and A Woman of Substance)

stunning

what a gritty and raw take on a classic historical figure who have been vilified almost to a ridiculous amount. I cannot wait for the second installment

Refreshing, plausible and more balanced

I'm a big fan of imperial Roman history, especially the Caesarian/Augustine lines. Yes, mostly for all the corruption, debauchery and intrigue; in those ways, Margaret George didn't disappoint. But it was nice to get an alternate view of Nero's Rome and his temperament. Not that he was an angel! I imagine no Roman emperor can live a spotless life and hope for a long reign. But this Nero isn't insane or tyrannical; he's certainly no more indulgent or cruel than his predecessors. He's fair-minded, even altruistic, appreciates (envies) the common people, and values artistic expression above all things. In short, a decent guy (who ended up having to kill a few people, including his treacherous mother). Performance-wise, I've struggled with this narrator on a few other reads, but got used to it after a while. It's an oddly uniform tempo, or... can't put my finger on it, just... too slippery. Not sure that I loved it enough to get the second book, but overall, enjoyable!

inspiring look at a misunderstood leader

At first I was skeptical that the person Nero could actually be as good as depicted in the book... But the whole novel and the afterward were really informative about somebody who history has spat on. It was actually a really inspiring, unique person who was ahead of his time & send to care about the people

Fascinating

Margaret has done it again! I’ve enjoyed many of her books After I Claudius and Claudius the god by Robert Graves both of which I loved, I circled back to Margaret for what I knew would be this insightful romp!

Love this book 

I couldn’t believe how fast I got through this book, and how much I enjoyed it! History really came to life! 

Have we been lied to about Nero all along ?

Cato the Elder knew the way to destroy someone (or a people like Carthage) was with the pen. After hearing this book, i really wonder how much of Nero's true story was never really told throughout History. I never believed he fiddled when Rome burnt hearing this was always a rumor. Details like this are explained in the book as to where he was when the fire broke out, and what happened. If this does come from his true memoirs (which i think Margaret George does do thorough research in all her books) i found it worthwhile. I started to feel kind of sorry for Nero in these writings "he penned", his only true father murdered, his mother was crazy and killed everyone around him, and its amazing the guy made it as far as he did. Now i see why he did what he did with her, hate to say that, but wow this woman. However, The book left me hanging, wanting more..why isnt there more ?? lol Great book, and helps to unfold in more detail the inner workings of ancient Rome, bringing it to life !! Much i already knew of this time period in Rome @ 1st century ce. I still found the book of great interest. From what i can tell it was historically accurate to the characters, families and events with some slight adjustments the author notes at the end of the book. ie: the Kohenim (priests) from Israel meet Nero twice, this was merged into one visit. (This caused a little confusion for me, but was explained later.) Nero was also told (as paul of the nt walked out), that the Jews in Judea were still worshiping a man who was said to be the Messiah, yet he had been tried and convicted a criminal, and hung @30 yrs earlier..@30ce. He tells Nero the man was a "prefect of Rome" too, Now im dyin to know who he was talking about. The merging of the two meetings with the Kohenim from Judea does meddle with the details of this event...Was the Jman a Prefect of Rome too ? Interesting detail needing more research ....

Informative / Good Remedy for Fake News

I've been studying Nero for a book in this period that I'm writing. What a refreshing historical novel told from the Emperor's perspective! This book is an admirable attempt to let Nero tell his own story, apart from later accounts demonizing him for political, religious, cultural, or socioeconomic-class-based agendas.

This book is brimming with tremendous amounts of historical information, but Ms. George has written it in a way that keeps the story entertaining. Well done.

I'm placing my pre-order for this novel's sequel, "The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero", coming out Nov. 6, 2018, immediately!

Enjoyable story with a new perspective

I loved this book and can't wait for the sequel. Kudos to Ms George for producing a quality historical novel.

Superb Performance but...

Any additional comments?

The narrator's performances (especially Steve West) were superb. Perhaps this was the only cause that made me finish listening to the book.

May be my expectations were too high because I was expecting a different "Nero"... In this book he is portrait as a poet, artist, but especially as good and remorseful??? Perhaps Margaret George wanted to vindicate his image and transform him into a complete opposite from the Nero that history has been telling us all this time.

Overall, sometimes it was a bit boring and I feel that it had a lot of information that could have been avoided.

Renovation of Nero’s reputation

Sure he engaged in a bit of licentious behavior but Nero was essentially a humanist who anticipated the enlightenment by a solid 1700 years - At least according to Margaret George. This novel conjures up the color of Rome beautifully. It introduces great characters such as Caligula, Claudius, Agrippa, Seneca and Paul. A great read for those who love action in togas, the history of this pivotal period in western civilization and excellent performances.