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Following the story of a woman who begins life as the adopted daughter of a shepherd and ends as the only solo ruler of Assyria, Babylonia is historical fiction that focuses on a woman or mythological figure that’s less well known. Semiramis, our main character, is very compelling. She’s driven, hungry, and at times very frustrated by the system she’s forced to participate in. At the same time she can be callous and self-serving. I think that in terms of her character there’s some relative complexity, as well as consistency throughout the novel.
Her life is framed by the two relationships that she has with Onnes, the general of a province and the half-brother of the king, and Ninus, the reigning king. Much of the book involves unpacking their tumultuous and enmeshed relationship. At times it is pretty confusing whether there’s an incest thing going on.
This book is very brutal. There are descriptions of a lot of ancient skirmishes and some of the code of Hammurabi style justice. There are descriptions of blood and conquest that were surprisingly detailed. The book is not euphemistic and is very upfront about the way that the Assyrians are very brutal and oriented around war and dominating their enemies.
For anyone who enjoys the ancient world historical fiction, if you don’t mind a relatively bloody text, this is a very solid choice. 4/5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Classism
Minor: Alcohol
Semiramis is an icon, however you feel about her actions, a woman in the epitome of a man’s world who does whatever she can to create a better life for herself and those who deserve it. She also refuses any categorisation that others wish to impose on her - whore, betrayer, witch.
The love between Ninus, Onnus and Semiramis is a glorious, if ultimately destructive, story that's fascinating to read and heartbreaking to experience through Casati's incredible prose.
Casati has come back with another incredible ‘retelling’ that focuses on the power of women, the abuse of men and what people have to do, purely to survive.
If you enjoyed Clytemnestra, but wished there was a little more gore and action - you’ll love Babylonia!
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Minor: Incest