A review by ginalucia
Babylonia by Costanza Casati

challenging tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Babylonia is one of those books I will continue to think about for a long time. 

Costanza Casati is a magnificent writer. Not only is her writing fluid, beautiful, and very immersive, but the care she takes with any and all source material is admirable.

Babylonia is completely different in tone and style from her other myth-based book, Clytemnestra. It's poetic and very reflective, which suits the story and the characters. Babylonia is almost elevated in a way. Not better, but different. 

In contrast to this style are the depictions of war and violence. These scenes are not gentle. They’re pershaps some of the most disturbing I’ve ever read. They’re not sugar-coated. They’re horrifying.

It feels weird to say, but the inclusion of these scenes and Casati’s handling of them, make the book better. Especially when, as a result, you see the fallout from this. How the characters react and navigate them makes for a deeper and more realistic idea of what it was like.

The book does slow down at parts, but stick with it because this is a book to savour, not rush through. If you’re a mythology, retelling, or ancient historical fiction fan, this has to be on your list.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: I’d say closed door for the most part.
* Fantasy levels: None. The gods are mentioned a lot, but they are not present.
* Rep: Queer rep throughout.
* Trigger warnings: A lot! Intense violence and depictions of war, addiction, and child abuse. 
* The format I read it in: Physical.

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