Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'War'
The emperor's babe: A novel by Bernardine Evaristo, Bernardine Evaristo
3 reviews
bootrat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
A really funny and unique book, that's a great mix of modern and ancient. It follows the life of Zuleika from age 11 to 18, in Roman London. It's fairly light-hearted, despite her being a child bride and becoming a slave owner. The mix of poetry and prose is really good, especially in audiobook form which flows so well together - though I can see this being more difficult to read in another format.
I loved the inclusion of a trans woman among her group of friends (despite the mild transphobia that comes from this being written in 2001), as well as the blase attitude towards homosexuality and the sex positive nature of the book.
A great short read and an enjoyable story even though the end is a little sad.
Warnings:
Though the main character is a child by today's standards the book is written with the (however mistaken) understanding that life expectancy at the time was around 40 so the events in the book take the character to almost middle age. Despite knowing Zuleika's age I mostly pictured her as a woman in her 20-30s, living life in the way that somebody of that age would in today's world.
Also, the rape mentioned in the content warnings is in the context of child marriage and the expected "marital duties" that accompany that. It isn't described in detail.
I loved the inclusion of a trans woman among her group of friends (despite the mild transphobia that comes from this being written in 2001), as well as the blase attitude towards homosexuality and the sex positive nature of the book.
A great short read and an enjoyable story even though the end is a little sad.
Warnings:
Though the main character is a child by today's standards the book is written with the (however mistaken) understanding that life expectancy at the time was around 40 so the events in the book take the character to almost middle age. Despite knowing Zuleika's age I mostly pictured her as a woman in her 20-30s, living life in the way that somebody of that age would in today's world.
Also, the rape mentioned in the content warnings is in the context of child marriage and the expected "marital duties" that accompany that. It isn't described in detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Colonisation and War
veelaughtland's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: War and Toxic friendship
schorlett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, War, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, and Confinement
More...