I've not read Lion's Blood yet, although it's in my pile at the moment. I'm currently trying to read Atomik Aztek, which is another alternate history, set in a world with a dominant Aztec Empire.
Lion's Blood does sound interesting, although I'd quibble a bit with 'Ireland is the only European nation that was colonized'. You're mostly right about Evaristo's primary interest being in the oppressed, although she does write a lovely section from the point of view of the slave owner who is visiting England to collect slaves, and his condemnation of the barbaric practices of the nation, which as a historian I really liked. European attitudes towards crime and punishment were really quite demented at times!
The other thing I'd mention about 'Blonde Roots' is Evaristo's very cheerful use of anachronism. I mean, I know it's set in an alternate world, but she's very unapologetically inconsistent about what kind of time frame it's set in. Europe-world could be 17th c, 18th c or 19th c from the markers she puts in. Africa-world could be 17th c - 21st c - she mentions raves, trains, sail powered ships, the Atlantic slave trade, 20th century style fashions - it's very hit and miss - but again - I think it's part of the satire. It's very cool and gives some great visuals, but makes no freaking sense if you try and examine it too closely.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-01-15 08:42 am (UTC)Lion's Blood does sound interesting, although I'd quibble a bit with 'Ireland is the only European nation that was colonized'. You're mostly right about Evaristo's primary interest being in the oppressed, although she does write a lovely section from the point of view of the slave owner who is visiting England to collect slaves, and his condemnation of the barbaric practices of the nation, which as a historian I really liked. European attitudes towards crime and punishment were really quite demented at times!
The other thing I'd mention about 'Blonde Roots' is Evaristo's very cheerful use of anachronism. I mean, I know it's set in an alternate world, but she's very unapologetically inconsistent about what kind of time frame it's set in. Europe-world could be 17th c, 18th c or 19th c from the markers she puts in. Africa-world could be 17th c - 21st c - she mentions raves, trains, sail powered ships, the Atlantic slave trade, 20th century style fashions - it's very hit and miss - but again - I think it's part of the satire. It's very cool and gives some great visuals, but makes no freaking sense if you try and examine it too closely.