Book Blurb:
Captured by pirates and sold to a Roman aristocrat as a sex slave, Sporus attracted the attention of no less a personage than the Emperor Nero, ruler of the known world. Would-be poet, patron of the arts, aesthete, and brutal autocrat, the Divine Nero saw in the boy a startling resemblance to the Empress Poppaea - and made him an empress as well. Suetonius, Tacitus, and other Roman historians have given tantalizing glimpses into the incredible life story of the boy who became twice an empress to two emperors, and was condemned to die in the arena by a third. In this meticulously researched trilogy, World Fantasy Award winning author lays bare the darkest secrets of Imperial Rome - its triumphs and its nadirs, its beauty and its cruelty. If Gore Vidal had written Quo Vadis this could well have been the result. Through this chaos, a contorted mirror of our contemporary world, this figure of Sporus moves, all too knowing yet all too innocent, providing a worm's eye view of one of the wildest periods in ancient history.
Imperatrix, the second volume of the tale, takes us into the heart of the Imperial palace with all its intrigue, depravity, and splendor.
"Somtow's pen knows no boundaries. From outrageous sex scandals to fascinating detail-rich elements of history that draw you right into the machinations of Ancient Rome ..." - from Proof Positive
"This is compulsive reading and all the more remarkable for being broadly speaking a true story. All the key players in this story are genuine and the story follows real events in their lives. The book feels very well researched but the research is used to fuel the story rather than slow it down. Somtow's writing has rarely been more compulsive than this. It's a fast, and incredibly easy read despite the complexities of the politics woven into the narrative." - Marc Lyth in Marc's World of Books
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/hXDQ
Author Bio:
Once referred to by the International Herald Tribune as 'the most well-known expatriate Thai in the world,' Somtow Sucharitkul is no longer an expatriate, since he has returned to Thailand after five decades of wandering the world. He is best known as an award-winning novelist and a composer of operas.
Born in Bangkok, Somtow grew up in Europe and was educated at Eton and Cambridge. His first career was in music and in the 1970s, his first return to Asia, he acquired a reputation as a revolutionary composer, the first to combine Thai and Western instruments in radical new sonorities. Conditions in the arts in the region at the time proved so traumatic for the young composer that he suffered a major burnout, emigrated to the United States, and reinvented himself as a novelist.
His earliest novels were in the science fiction field and he soon won the John W. Campbell for Best New Writer as well as being nominated for and winning numerous other awards in the field. But science fiction was not able to contain him and he began to cross into other genres. In his 1984 novel Vampire Junction, he injected a new literary inventiveness into the horror genre, in the words of Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, 'skillfully combining the styles of Stephen King, William Burroughs, and the author of the Revelation to John.' Vampire Junction was voted one of the forty all-time greatest horror books by the Horror Writers' Association, joining established classics like Frankenstein and Dracula. He has also published children's books, a historical novel, and about a hundred works of short fiction.
In the 1990s Somtow became increasingly identified as a uniquely Asian writer with novels such as the semi-autobiographical Jasmine Nights and a series of stories noted for a peculiarly Asian brand of magic realism, such as Dragon's Fin Soup, which is currently being made into a film directed by Takashi Miike. He recently won the World Fantasy Award, the highest accolade given in the world of fantastic literature, for his novella The Bird Catcher. His seventy-plus books have sold about two million copies world-wide. He has been nominated for or won over forty awards in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
After becoming a Buddhist monk for a period in 2001, Somtow decided to refocus his attention on the country of his birth, founding Bangkok's first international opera company and returning to music, where he again reinvented himself, this time as a neo-Asian neo-Romantic composer. The Norwegian government commissioned his song cycle Songs Before Dawn for the 100th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize, and he composed at the request of the government of Thailand his Requiem: In Memoriam 9/11 which was dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
According to London's Opera magazine, 'in just five years, Somtow has made Bangkok into the operatic hub of Southeast Asia.' His operas on Thai themes, Madana and Mae Naak, have been well received by international critics.
Somtow has recently been awarded the 2017 Europa Cultural Achievement Award for his work in bridging eastern and western cultures. In 2020 he returned to science fiction after a twenty-year absence with "Homeworld of the Heart", a fifth novel in the Inquestor series.
To support S.P. Somtow's work, visit his patreon account at patreon.com/spsomtow . His website is at www.somtow.com
Editorial Review:
From the beginning of the book "Imperatrix," intrigue and mystery intertwine in a captivating dance. With suspenseful words, S.P. Somtow introduces us to the disturbing world of an apparently magnificent empire. Through the tense conversations between characters, we discover dark nuances of a life marked by suffering and betrayal. The heroine, recalling harrowing events, shares details about her abduction from a village, the sufferings she endured, and the tragic events that shaped her destiny. However, the apparent splendor of her time as empress is overshadowed by looming shadows, and the story becomes increasingly grim.
Through this introduction, the reader is drawn into a vortex of conflicts and intrigues, where the dark past of the heroine clashes with the threatening present. The beginning promises a story full of surprises and dramatic twists, captivating attention with every sentence.
"Imperatrix" unfolds a tale of political betrayal, poetic indulgence, and the capricious nature of power in the fascinating context of ancient Rome. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a character entangled in the machinations of Emperor Nero's court, witnessing the strange mix of art and tyranny. The author skillfully paints a vivid portrait of the protagonist's narration, laden with dark humor and sharp satire. The portrayal of Nero, both as a proclaimed divine ruler and as a patron of the arts, adds layers to the story. The courtroom scene, where the fate of the protagonist hangs by a thread, captures the essence of Nero's eccentricity and his disdain for conventional thinking.
The use of Petronius, the creator of Satyricon, as a literary figure in the story adds depth, providing a meta-commentary on the nature of art and its interpretation. The emperor's response to the seemingly blasphemous diatribe showcases the author's ability to explore complexity, revealing layers of meaning beneath the surface.
The narrative skillfully navigates the psychological landscape, touching on themes such as loyalty, loss, and the search for identity. The inclusion of personal specters and desires adds a humanizing element to a story set against the grand backdrop of imperial Rome.
The author's prose captures the essence of the historical period, enriching the narrative with authenticity. The dialogues between characters, especially the exchanges between the protagonist and Nero, are sharp and captivating. The pace of the narrative is well-maintained, holding the reader captive from the tension in the courtroom to the unexpected turn towards a garden full of peacocks. The author's ability to blend satire with historical fiction creates a fascinating narrative that entertains and challenges thought. Whether delving into the psychological complexities of Nero or the protagonist's search for self, the book provides a rich tapestry of intrigues that will make readers reflect on the subtleties of power and expression.
In a moment of intimacy, the protagonist finds themselves alone with the Emperor. However, intimacy is relative, considering the discreet presence of slaves and guards ready to intervene if the Deity needed saving. The Emperor, playing the role of a guide through his own paradise corner, expresses his passion for peacocks and Greek tragedy. The story unfolds in a true symphony of colors and scents as the protagonist is invited to see the world through emerald and ruby lenses, offering a unique perspective on reality. This brief journey into the peacock garden becomes a subtle allegory of the imperial court, where the present is tinged with passions and conflicts.
The Emperor, in a note of cynical humor, compares the peacocks to senators, emphasizing the futility and self-importance of the latter. As the action unfolds, the author explores the internal conflicts of the protagonist, now in a situation with many shades of gray. The struggle between freedom and submission, symbolic life and death, creates a complex psychological tableau.
The meeting with the Emperor, though full of threats, leaves the door open for the future. Through instruments like emerald and ruby lenses, the author adds a layer of symbolism and allegory, suggesting that reality can be perceived in different ways. In the culmination of this tense sequence, the protagonist receives a "mission" from the Emperor, suggesting that their meeting was not just a whim of the divinity but also a form of artistic exploration. This ironic note underscores the subtlety and unpredictability of Nero.
Once the protagonist leaves the imperial scenes, a tableau of intrigue and uncertainty is left behind. With a red pearl in hand, they face an uncertain future and the ever-present threat of a capricious emperor. The story continues to evolve in a surprising direction, revealing deep layers of life in ancient Rome. "Imperatrix" proves to be a captivating journey behind the scenes of power and arts in a striking and unpredictable empire.
The meeting with Poppaea reveals a pragmatic woman concerned with protecting her pregnancy and maintaining control over her own life. The protagonist receives a new bag of gold, a symbol of the subtle negotiations taking place behind the palace curtains. A return to the party on the Palatine brings not only 40 aurei and an impressive ruby but also the subtle challenges and threats accompanying the favors of the capricious deity.
Marcus Vinicius, the rational voice in this tumultuous world, offers his perspective on future funeral recitals, highlighting Nero's specialization in tragic odes. While the protagonist reflects on love and death, the funeral of their patron Petronius unfolds in a grand setting, marked by paid lamentations and the presence of a select assembly of aristocrats.
S.P. Somtow skillfully captures the solemn atmosphere of the event, highlighting and satirizing the hypocrisy and superficiality of some of the participants. Through the Divinity, Nero, rising to the heights of ancient poetry, the author creates a poignant contrast between tragic art and the luxurious life the emperor leads.
At the same time, the protagonist's relationship with Hylas adds an intimate element to the story. The dialogues between the two reveal nuances of power, vulnerability, and role reversal. While the protagonist tries to maintain equality, subtle reminders of their past as a slave creep into their relationship.
The historical backdrop and details about the rituals of that period add depth and authenticity to the narrative, offering the reader a captivating journey through time and space. As the protagonist navigates the intrigues of the palace and confronts moral dilemmas, the book reveals a world full of corruption, passion, and tragedy.
With the dramatic outcome of castration, the protagonist undergoes a profound transformation, losing not only their identity but also the ability to feel fully. This brutal scene represents a harsh critique of decadent Roman society, where beauty and power often come at an inhuman cost.
The shift to Greece brings a note of hope, but even here, amidst idyllic landscapes, the shadow of the past and the cruel actions of the characters are felt. The journey to Eleusis becomes a symbol of inner exploration and the possibility of rebirth, but the fundamental question remains whether the protagonist will succeed in rediscovering authenticity or continue to be an empty vessel for the desires of others.
"Imperatrix" proves to be a remarkable foray into the souls of characters in ancient Rome, exploring not only the decadence of a corrupt society but also the perpetual search for identity and meaning amid suffering. A profound and disturbing read that lingers in the mind long after the last page has been turned.
*****
“Imperatrix” by S P Somtow receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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