Review: The Immigrant Queen by Peter Taylor-Gooby
Today, I'm delighted to welcome British author, Peter Taylor-Gooby, to Ruins & Reading. I'm reviewing his fascinating novel, The Immigrant Queen – the story of Aspasia, a fascinating woman of some influence in Ancient Greece.
The Immigrant Queen is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Check out fascinating guest posts, enticign excerpts and more HERE!
The Immigrant Queen
Peter Taylor-Gooby
I always love reading about historical women who have been widely forgotten about, so I was keen to read about Aspasia – a woman whose origins are obscure, but who wielded great influence in Ancient Athens' philosophical circles.
But the first point to note is that the novel is not told from Aspasia's own point of view – even though you'd expect this from the blurb. It is a bit misleading, and readers may be confused.
Her story is told by Limander, talented bard and poet, captured during an Athenian raid on his home of Mytilene (the capital city on the island of Lesbos) and subsequently enslaved. When Aspasia bought him, she spotted his talent, and he soon provided the lyrical entertainment during the many gatherings at her house.
Those gatherings included many great philosophers of the day, Socrates amongst them. But politicians attended these lively debates too, and by the time Limander arrived at her home, she was already the lover of Pericles, powerful statesman in the Athens assembly.
It is through Limander's eyes that the story of Aspasia comes to life, as he witnesses her successes and tribulations. Her trial for blasphemy is well recorded, and portrayed cleverly here.
But Limander's focus is not only on his mistress and her visitors. He – now a humble slave and servant – falls for the handsome Alcis, who is clearly way above him in Athenian circles. Part of the novel focuses on their growing love and devotion, which also carries a hint of danger as a slave was not allowed to be in a relationship with someone higher up the hierarchy. Their emotions bring their love to life, and they give Limander a sense of purpose.
The main focus, though, is on Aspasia and her world of politics, philosophy, and sheer survival as a woman in a world where men regarded women as mere chattels, to be used for their convenience only, and who had no voice. But Aspasia was remarkable in that she knew well how to play their game, and how to manipulate them when needed. She was intelligent, strong-willed, and very much in a loving relationship with Pericles, for whom she wrote speeches (as recorded). She makes for a formidable character, even in her arrogance, but the occasional glimpses of frailty we gain through Limander's eyes add a strong sense of humanity. Aspasia was a survivor.
Limander is an interesting character, and it's a shame the blurb doesn't give him any credit. Despite being enslaved, he maintains a sense of entitlement that he should be a free man, and although he forges a strong bond with several other slaves in Aspasia's household, his goal is always his freedom. But what is the price he must pay for this?
There is a strong undercurrent of Athenian politics that weaves a thread through the novel, which ends with their clash with the Spartans. The political ambitions of several real characters are revealed, and these power games make for fascinating reading.
However, there are also lengthy tracts of philosophical debates that happen throughout the novel, featuring the famous circle around Socrates. At times, these discussions go into deep detail, which slows the pace of the novel – intentionally, I believe, to give the reader a real idea of the scope of discourse that took place in Ancient Athens. But it may make you skip some pages if this isn't for you...
A huge amount of research went into this novel, including cultural and societal aspects. The author has clearly studied the era in depth, and the attention to detail is incredible. It's Ancient Greece come to life.
The Immigrant Queen is an unusual historical novel: part biographical historical fiction, part philosophical debate, part political intrigue, and part gay romance. It creates a vibrant vision of the glory of Ancient Athens, but not sparing any punches either.
I can certainly recommend this enthralling story to fans of ancient history, intelligent historical fiction, and forgotten women.
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Blurb:
Hated as a foreigner, despised as a woman, she became First Lady of Athens. Aspasia falls passionately in love with Pericles, the leading statesman of Fifth Century Athens. Artists, writers and thinkers flock to her salon. She hides her past as a sex-worker, trafficked to the city, and becomes Pericles’ lover.
Her writings attract the attention of Socrates, and she becomes the only woman to join his circle. She is known throughout the city for her beauty and wit and strives to become recognised as an intellectual alongside men.
Pericles’ enemies attack him through Aspasia and charge her with blasphemy. As a foreigner she faces execution, but her impassioned address to the jury shames the city and saves her. Pericles is spellbound, they marry, and she becomes First Lady of Athens.
Sparta besieges the city; plague breaks out and Pericles is once again in danger.
THE IMMIGRANT QUEEN tells the true story of how Aspasia rose to become the First Lady of Athens and triumphed against all the odds.
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About the Author:
Peter Taylor-Gooby
Peter Taylor-Gooby is an academic who believes that you can only truly understand the issues that matter through your feelings, your imagination and your compassion. That’s why he writes novels as well as research monographs. He worked in India as a teacher, in a Newcastle social security office, and as an antique dealer.
Now he’s professor of social policy at the University of Kent, a Fellow of the British Academy, loves playing with his grandchildren and writes novels in what time is spare.
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