Reviews

The Emperor's Babe by Bernardine Evaristo

Only show reviews with written explanations

jademgreen's review against another edition

4.0

Like nothing I've ever read before, Bernardine Evaristo is a daring genius.

The story was difficult to follow at times, or maybe I read it too quickly and didn't digest it fully, but I thought it was a masterpiece.

I couldn't fully connect but I appreciated it so much, hence the 4 stars.

henderslam's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

slc's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

carter84's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I admire the incredible courage that it took to write a book like this in verse with a mix of Latin and contemporary language and I do think that the books is really funny in places, but I cannot give more than 3 stars for the simple reason that I found it a bit lacking in terms of actual narrative.

greggles_93's review

Go to review page

5.0

This book was unlike any I have read before, in terms of both it's experimental form and daring subject matter. The whole novel is written in blank verse (the verse is mostly in lolloping four-beat accentual syllabics) which is remarkable and displays Evaristo's mastery of the form, because it really does read with complete narrative cohesion. Set in a 'Londonium' of AD211, the Emperor's Babe explores the early life of a Sudanese woman, Zuleika, who is effectively sold into marraige by her father, to an older wealthy Roman who keeps her like a bird in a gilded cage. The protagonist's journey is both highly entertaining and heartbreaking in equal measure, and would highly recommend reading it if experimental form and a nod to Ancient Roman cultures is your thing.