Comments on: Review: Virgin Slave, Barbarian King by Louise Allen

By: Alicia Thomas

Alicia Thomas — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:35:54 +0000

Check out that first link. Actually, the Visigoths were a culture going through major changes. They were newly Christianized and were repulsed by the inhumane and the dishonorable aspects of Roman society. The facts that they treated their women better and didn’t rape and murder as they came through Rome are easily verified. That was enough to make me think the author probably did her homework. It just doesn’t fit that she would put something as specific as their slaves becoming part of their household without it being true. She was too accurate about too many other things.

As far ast the language, I’m confused. What wasn’t authentic?

By: Wendell

Wendell — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:58:05 +0000

I seriously, seriously doubt that “noble” goths were “noble” to their slaves. Slave = isn’t exactly human, and doesn’t deserve respect which you only give to equal, which most probably means another free warrior man.

The language is completely unauthentic, characterization is appalingly bad, so somehow I doubt that logic defying facts in the book are suddenly right. But I am no expert.

And that’s just sad that people over 10 don’t know what serf is.

By: Misty G

Misty G — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:42:17 +0000

“I know, I know! I’ve heard it a thousand times, “Don’t go to romances or movies to learn your history,” but I really don’t do that. Honest!”

I actually got an A-/B+ in my senior seminar class because I read romances.lol. No one else knew what a serf was, but I did. My teacher said I’d be brilliant if only I came to class. I guess I should really think Kathleen Woodiwiss then for saving my butt in college.

By: Alicia Thomas

Alicia Thomas — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:15:47 +0000

>About This Hysterical Accuracy : The Naughty Bits

LOL! I love it!

By: About This Hysterical Accuracy : The Naughty Bits

About This Hysterical Accuracy : The Naughty Bits — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:20:16 +0000

[...] all this fuss I keep hearing about hysterical accuracy? Now why do readers want this hysterical accuracy in their romance novels? Why, I thought the wailing maidens were just so tiresome. Now, if they use [...]

By: Alicia Thomas

Alicia Thomas — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:41:41 +0000

Yes, we saw some of those last year and the year before… we don’t have TV, now (sigh). All 7 kids and I stop whatever we’re doing and watch a good history or science documentary.

By: Devon

Devon — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:15:02 +0000

The Romans were generally not all that nice. There was an interesting series on the History Channel about Barbarians like the Visigoths and Huns. I’m going to read this soon.

By: Lawson

Lawson — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:57:33 +0000

“Barbarian” usually meant anything not Roman or at around 400 not accepted by the Church. Yay the rise in the power of the Pope. The Visigoths generally weren’t as bad about the raping and pillaging as say, the Huns, at least until 476 when the Visigoths sacked Rome the last time and killed the last Roman emperor.

By: Alicia Thomas

Alicia Thomas — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:34:20 +0000

For those who are really into the history and the culture in the books here is a great post on this book. I had picked up the history in the book was good but I had no idea she’d gone so far with it. It makes me want to raise my grade.

It does assume you’ve read the book, though, so it has all kinds of spoilers including all the important ones. I’d recommend reading this after you read the book.

http://www.vivanco.me.uk/modern_romance_scholarship/analysis_of_louise_allens_virgin_slave_b

Here is the blog page where you can comment and read more.

http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/