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A Song For Nero by Thomas Holt
01/03/2003 . Source: Phil Jones 
pub: Little, Brown/Times Warner. 470 page hardback. Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-316-86113-8. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.orbitbooks.co.uk
In 69 AD, General Glaba's forces were closing in on Rome. Nero fleeing his palace stabbed himself in the throat and was trampled to death by horses in a muddy ditch.
That's what historians tell us but what if Nero didn't die? What if he (or someone else) managed to fake his death and escape with his friend's brother, Galen?
Maybe, in fact Nero wasn't the evil Caesar that he was made out to be? There were no major wars during his reign, taxes were lowered, food was in plentiful supply and the corrupt provincial leaders were removed along with his evil mother. To the Roman gentry this was disastrous (and no fun at all) so, thus, he had to be removed.
Nero, however, wanted nothing more to be with his friends, Callistus and Galen. He wanted to write poetry and music and play the harp to his people. This was not the done thing. Orgies, debauchery and the like were deemed suitable behaviour while off duty but not harp playing!
The book is written with Galen recanting the tale, as if you were listening to the thin rat-faced Greek sitting in an inn sharing wine in ancient Roman times. He provides his life story. How he and his brother Callistus were rescued from certain death on a cross because Lucius Domitius (Nero) took a shine to Callistus. He goes on to describe their lives and adventures both before and after the supposed death of Nero.
The style of writing along with the minute detail creates a wonderful authenticity. The flashback sub-stories that are gently placed into the text draw you into the historical backdrop and add real depth to Galen's character.
The anecdotes and the small snippets of advice on how to survive in ancient Roman society and the Mediterranean adds to the realism to the book. Galen's philosophical discussions and his own self reasoning on life, the gods and fortune provide a balanced debate on the events of the time. You are never exposed to a definitive view of history, the discussions allow you to make up your own mind, for example was Nero a good leader or not?
To all intense and purposes, Galen seems like a real person. This to me demonstrates Holt's abilities as a writer. You really start to feel that you are sitting next to this small Greek telling you his life story and his adventures with Lucius Domitius (Nero). The history, though, is never thrust in your face and you're not expected to have a vast knowledge of Ancient Rome; Greece or the Mediterranean world the book portrays.
There are no long-winded descriptive passages that you get with some historical novels that just serve to get historical content over to the reader. Thomas Holt takes the approach of only incorporating information as and when it's needed. No more no less. Using it to drive the story and plot lines providing a rich texture for the characters to play upon. I think this shows his love of ancient Greek history. It really does seem to come from the heart, as do his characters.
OK, I hear you say, Thomas Holt is a comic writer, where's the humour? Well, this book is not short of comedy. For example: 'He laughed. 'Wonderful,' he said. 'Couldn't find his arse with both hands but basically all right. What a wonderful thing to have carved on your headstone.' The humour and writing style are probably a tad drier than some of Holt's previous books but still very witty and full of irony with the odd bit of sarcasm.
Galen and Lucius Domitius provide many a comical one-liner and the stories themselves provide plenty of chuckles. There are plenty of colourful metaphors (as Spock put it) and the book does not shy away from the more graphic side of ancient life, the use of large pointy Spanish swords for example, along with crucifixion, torture and the like.
Coming back to Galen and Lucius Domitius, while their adventures proceed, especially when they are travelling through Sicily, the two characters create the most wonderful double act. A short thin Greek and a tall thick-necked Roman running scams and getting deeper and deeper into trouble.
By the time they reach Rome, unbeknown to them they have multiple pursuers and more than one bounty on their heads.
The story-telling is fast-paced and woven at high speed. You would be hard pressed into guessing where the storylines are going. Along with some cleverly revealed twists throughout the book.
OK, so it's only loosely fantasy. A sort of 'what if?' scenario but it's written in a style that is both moving and genuinely funny. I think this book would appeal to Holt and non-Holt fans alike. If you like ancient history you'll most probably enjoy the book and its refreshing perspective. Just go and buy the book and enjoy it.
Phil Jones
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