Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Emperor's Babe

Set in Roman Britain, told in blank verse with a modern twist, about a young Black girl married off by to a middle-aged Roman; a refreshing read in a world of white-washed historical fiction, we get to see a more demographically accurate Londinium 211 AD — a fledgling commercial centre in the northern reaches of an empire ruled by the Libyan-born Septimius Severus, populated by not only native Bretons but also migrants from across the Roman Empire and beyond, including the main character’s Sudanese parents.

Evaristo infuses the narrative with modern language, a device I love in historical fiction when done well. Rather than using formal, ornate language common in historical fiction, Evaristo uses, modern slang, idioms and innuendos, differing speech patterns for peasants and merchants, soldiers and senators — far from what some might call historical inaccuracy (what would be accurate about Roman Britain speaking anything close to 20th century English, anyway?), the contemporary storytelling allows a more authentic relationship between the reader and the characters.

The writing is well-paced and entertaining, and both witty and insightful. It deals with difficult topics — Zuleika is married and experiences sex as a girl, before she can learn to understand desire. But it also paints a world where pleasure, joy and love are always possible.

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schorlett's review against another edition

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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

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bethsbookshelf's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is the most unique book that I've ever read, but then again, it's my first experience reading a novel in verse. But the whole time, I felt honoured to be reading something so beautiful, so graphic, so charming, so brutally honest, so raw, so well-written.

It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the poetic writing, but once you learn the author's style, it's simply the most lovely thing. Mix that with the brutal content and graphic scenes of the book, and it's truly something so jarring (in a good way).

I absolutely loved watching the main character explore her sexuality and take ownership of it throughout the novel. The sex scenes were so original, too. The author really knows how to play with language.

I recommend this book, especially for first time novel-in-verse readers. It's incredible.

Content Warnings

lucymayjackson's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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