A review by leanneymu
The Emperor's Babe by Bernardine Evaristo

adventurous challenging dark funny reflective 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? It's complicated

3.25

I feel really conflicted about this one. I normally love Everisto's whiting, and I actually found the verse form pretty easy to get into, but a lot of the characters, dialogue and attitudes felt very early 2000s in a way that was quite alienating. While all the characters felt believable, I struggled with the everyone's attitude to the character of Venus in particular (including her attitude to herself). I also found the adult/minor relationship, although believable for the Roman time period, a bit hard to stomach. Probably my least favourite novel by this author so far, but I will definitely continue to read the rest of her back-catalogue, as I loved Mr Loverman and Girl, Woman, Other. 
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