I got this fair-condition ex-library softcover from Better World Books, for another release copy.

I enjoyed the novel, though I was surprised at just how nasty a piece of work the "hero" was in the beginning: Marcus, a handsome young Roman officer, fresh from a triumphant campaign, falls hard for a lovely young woman - and promptly goes into a series of increasingly-unpleasant plans to seduce or, failing that, outright capture and violate her. And when her trusty bodyguard summons aid from fellow Christians to thwart the attempt, Marcus retaliates by killing one of his best servants outright and beating the rest of them mercilessly, all by way of venting his frustration.

So, a romance, right? {wry grin}

In his attempts to find the girl, Marcus plans to pretend to be a Christian, as he realizes that's the most important thing to her. But eventually he's drawn to those beliefs himself, and while it's a long and difficult journey for him - not least because of Emperor Nero's increasingly hostile attitude towards the new "cult" - he and she become reconciled. But wait! The book's only half over! What now?

Quite a lot, as it happens. Marcus is juggling his new-found love with his duties to the emperor and in spending time with his uncle Petronius (based largely on the historical Petronius). [I should mention here that Petronius is my favorite character, sarcastic and hedonistic as he is; he gets most of the best lines, finds love, lives well, dances around the dangers of being near the emperor, and - while he makes a misjudgement here and there - is, for the most part, the most level-headed character in the story.] Nero is growing harder and harder to deal with, and the novel strongly suggests that he deliberately instigated the great fire of Rome in order to clear land for his immense and insanely-luxurious new palace. The fire - described in chilling detail here - causes all manner of suffering and loss, not least Nero's choice of the Christians as the designated scapegoats. This in turn leads to the arrest of thousands of them, with intent to have them put to death in as spectacular a fashion as possible. And Marcus' beloved is among the captives...

There are many machinations in an attempt to free the girl, while the games continue to devour hundreds and hundreds of innocent men, women, and children - in horrifying detail. The touching faith of the Christian martyrs is highlighted, and makes many of the audience rethink their prejudices, but the destruction is still quite devastating.

I won't reveal the fates of the main characters here, but will say that there are moments of triumph amid the devastation. Impressive story!

[There's a TV Tropes page on the novel, with some notes on the film adaptations as well, including the 1951 film.]

I'm adding this book to the Movie bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Enjoy! [See the bookbox journal here for books taken and added.]

*** Released as part of the 2016 Theater release challenge. ***

I chose this book from the movie bookbox organized by innae.

I did have a copy of this book at one time but passed it on before reading it. Hopefully, this time I will read it. I am somewhat interested in reading more books set in the days of the Roman Empire.