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Dictator

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Dictator

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

'Confirms Harris's undisputed place as our leading master of both the historical and contemporary thriller' Daily Mail

LAWS ARE SILENT IN TIMES OF WAR.

There was a time when Cicero held Caesar's life in the palm of his hand.

But now Caesar is the dominant figure and Cicero's life is in ruins.

Cicero's comeback requires wit, skill and courage.

And for a brief and glorious period, the legendary orator is once more the supreme senator in Rome.

But politics is never static.

And no statesman, however cunning, can safeguard against the ambition and corruption of others.

'The finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language' - The Scotsman

Riveting and tumultuous, DICTATOR encompasses some of the most epic events in human history yet is also an intimate portrait of a brilliant, flawed, frequently fearful yet ultimately brave man - a hero for his time and for ours. This is an unforgettable tour de force from a master storyteller.

 Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Political Thriller & Suspense Biography Fiction Exciting Rome

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Critic reviews

Triumphant, compelling and deeply moving…the finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language. They are distinguished by the mastery of the sources, sympathetic imagination, political intelligence and narrative skill…It’s a wonderful, dramatic, story, wonderfully told (Scotsman)
Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy ends in grand style…the culmination of 12 years work and a remarkable literary achievement
The book works…more than that; at times it sings… Thrillers are supposed to thrill, but few really do raise your heart rate and short-circuit your critical faculties…Exhilarating…This trilogy deserves the highest compliment that can be paid to a work of historical fiction
Robert Harris completes his wonderful trilogy based on the life of Cicero. I haven’t enjoyed Roman history more since Robert Graves’s I, Claudius (Anthony Horowitz)
Harris’s fascination with politics galvanises his impressive knowledgeableness into compulsive fiction (Peter Kemp)
Harris is brilliant at the political then-as-now, giving Caesar with a hint of Blair – and also of Thatcher (Peter Stothard)
Staying close to the sources, Harris picks his way masterfully through Cicero’s personal and political dilemmas…superb…does full justice to one of Rome’s most interesting complex and humane statesmen, whose pragmatic political treatises proved so influential during the renaissance and enlightenment
Harris skilfully navigates these fraught years in Cicero’s life … Dictator triumphs
A superior historical thriller (Fiona Wilson)
Harris’ version of Cicero is a tremendous creation
All stars
Most relevant
A very polished performance. Caesar comes across very differently from Shakespeare's play - he comes across as cold, calculating and ruthless, not the great statesman murdered by jealous rivals.

A good comparison to Shakespeare's play

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Been waiting for ages to listen to the final chapter of this series. Especially after the how the second book finished.

A great end to a great trilogy

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A brilliant book. Another Robert Harris masterpiece. Superbly narrated. Although I knew the ending had to come I was so involved with this last part of Cicero's life that I was hoping against hope that Robert Harris could re-write history.

Enthralling

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

David Rintoul, has exactly the right balance of power and depth in his voice for this sombre book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tiro the narrator. He shows himself to be intelligent, sympathetic to the human condition and aware of his master's failings.

What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His excellent narration helps to convey the importance of the Roman Empire and its leaders to Europe, Asia and Africa. Although it is a novel one feels this is history as it really was lived.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Well done Robert Harris. Just a shame it is the last of the series.

Perfect narrator

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Another reviewer mentioned that they felt this was the 'weakest' out of the trilogy and I agree. Difficult to pinpoint exactly why other than it felt a bit laboured at times in the first half and I found it lacked the wit and verve of the first book - something that I had particularly enjoyed in the first book.
There is much sorrow for Cicero to contend with and I did feel that he 'grew up' and developed as a human being which was welcomed. Tiro was consistent in his narration and observations of Cicero and the ongoing saga of his life and I felt engaged with him. I was a bit wary of the change of narrator for the performance as one gets used to the voices and identifies them, but I need not have worried, it took a while to readjust but Rintoul has done a good job.
The ending was done quite well, often writers struggle to 'nail the conclusion' and I feel 'oh is that it?' , but I feel satisfied that the conclusion rounded things off with Cicerco and Tiro.
All in all I have loved this trilogy and it has sparked my interest in wanting to listen to non fiction on the Roman era to stimulate my intellect and increase my knowledge - and that is the highest praise I can give.

Satisfying trilogy conclusion

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