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sophierachel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What an immersive and sad read this was! It totally took me back to the time when I visited Pompeii, giving the city its take on life, slavery, women, sex workers and happiness. I remember visiting the ruins of Pompeii and also its pleasure houses. Now I know how it probably went on there and that breaks my heart. Still don’t know whether to continue this series, but it was a good read.
sapphirestuart's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mrswhiteinthelibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Elodie Harper crafts an incredible story about women forgotten by history, specifically prostitutes in Pompeii in the years before the fateful eruption of Mt Vesuvius. While that historical detail looms over the story, it is quick to put it aside the way the unsuspecting characters would surely, caught up in the drama and trials of surviving, always chasing the carrot, or pipe dream, of their freedom. Harper gives us an incredible heroine in Amara, at once hardened and slyly intelligent and optimistic and determined, never able to settle for what horrors life has brought her. She forms a deep friendship with her fellow prostitutes, all of whom are trapped and tragic as she is. Their bonds of sisterhood form the beating heart of the story, and Harper's writing brings the skills she has as a journalist to this ancient setting to make it feel as urgent and timely as a headline. While it lacks the poetry of someone like Madeline Miller or beauty of Maggie O'Farrell's, Harper's rough around the edges style perfectly suits her subject, and her focus on humanizing the long dehumanized, making the historical real and present is as admirable as any of her peers.
megs2kool's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jensnow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
thompsonmer44's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.25
roxcollector's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is probably the slowest book I’ve read in years (INCLUDING non-fiction), but I thought the last 100 pages really made the rest of the book not feel so aimless and casual. Would only recommend to the most patient of readers.
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Abortion, Confinement, Misogyny, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Pregnancy, Murder, and Kidnapping