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A review by bjayjay
In the Palace of Flowers by Victoria Princewill
4.0
A shocking but familiar set of story arcs are to be found in the pages of Victoria Princewill’s novel “In the Palace of Flowers.”
They’re familiar in that they’re so similar to arcs and outcomes we can expect when we read any of Shakespeare’s tragedies and histories dramatizing the Courts of England across multiple monarchies.
They’re shocking because the author did not shy away from the violence committed throughout the Persian Court — including frightening levels of sexual assault.
Where this novel claims its own unique voice is that instead of tracking the steps and misdeeds of those of royalty, we are given the opportunity to experience the lives of people who have ordinarily been voiceless in the presence of royal storylines — or used solely as comedic relief in Shakespeare’s case — the enslaved.
A solid 4.5/5 stars. Trigger warnings for rape, violence, and other forms of harm and assault.
They’re familiar in that they’re so similar to arcs and outcomes we can expect when we read any of Shakespeare’s tragedies and histories dramatizing the Courts of England across multiple monarchies.
They’re shocking because the author did not shy away from the violence committed throughout the Persian Court — including frightening levels of sexual assault.
Where this novel claims its own unique voice is that instead of tracking the steps and misdeeds of those of royalty, we are given the opportunity to experience the lives of people who have ordinarily been voiceless in the presence of royal storylines — or used solely as comedic relief in Shakespeare’s case — the enslaved.
A solid 4.5/5 stars. Trigger warnings for rape, violence, and other forms of harm and assault.