This blogging Greek goddess writes, "Why would Zenobia's story be of interest to a present-day reader? There are at least three good reasons, in addition to the intrinsic interest of tales like this (and yes, there is sex, too)."
Read the
The Classical Association
"The author recreates a whole society here, rather as Mary Renault did....
I am impatient for Part II."
Helen Hughes-Brock
Classical Association News, December 2006
Roman History Books and More
"Ms. Weingarten writes in a rich and vivid prose and presents us with well-rounded characters, good and bad. She keeps up the suspense throughout her story, or rather, during the second half of it ...: Zenobia herself does not appear in the story until half-way through the book. Many a reader may get impatient or, at worst, give up. Not this reviewer though: I love a leisurely unfolding tale!.... I was greatly intrigued by the story and am looking forward to the next installment."
Niala Maharaj, the hot new writer from Trinidad whose
hilarious novel Like Heaven has just been by Random House opines in the Volkskrant on
17 June 2006:
Judith Weingarten's historical novel [Zenobia]
has all the hallmarks of a best-seller.
Visit her at
...there something slow but inexorable about the chronicle form that doesn’t sit particularly comfortably with the modern reader. I ploughed rather dutifully through the first half of this long text, enjoying the descriptions but not really involved. (Although some readers might enjoy the military stuff more than I.) It was only when the real star of the show, Zenobia, appears on the scene, about the middle of this book, that I got really involved and I read that second half in one marathon session.
By the time I reached the end I no longer regretted the time spent reading (and the lost sleep); I felt satisfied and eager for the next book in the chronicle. But don’t pick it up if you need a book that “hooks” you in the first page, or the first chapter. If you’re prepared to wait for your pleasures, for the joy of historical adventure of a gripping kind, however, then The Rebel Queen should be on your reading list.
More:
Natalie Bennett
History (particularly women’s history), book and theatre reviews, politics, science and art.
Managing Editor on Blogcritics.org
I was really impressed with what I saw and read. Judith Weingarten is a remarkable woman, and now it is me, Bellatryx , the one to invite you to visit her page. I am sure you will love it!
Bellatryx's Cultural Blog
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