The Emperor's Virgin

by Sylvia Fraser

THE MARBLE SPLENDOR OF IMPERIAL ROME WAS A STAGE FOR THE EMPEROR'S SAVAGE BLOOD LUST.
His word was law. No one was beyond the reach of his depraved desires. Except Cornelia, the Vestal Virgin. Keeper of the sacred temple. Pure. Untouchable. Until her chaste beauty captured the heart of the noble commander Marcus, drawing her into a forbidden love...ensnaring them in the intrigue and degradation of the Emperor's household...plunging them into a mire of madness and perversity where escape could only be bought at an unthinkable price.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance

399 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Sylvia Fraser (born 8 March 1935 in Hamilton, Ontario) was a Canadian novelist, journalist and travel writer. Fraser was educated at the University of Western Ontario. In her fifty year career as a journalist, she has written hundreds of articles, beginning as a Feature Writer for The Toronto Star Weekly (1957-68), and continuing with articles for many other magazines and newspapers including the Globe & Mail, Saturday Night, Chatelaine, the Walrus and Toronto Life. She taught creative writing for many years at Banff Centre and at various university workshops. She has participated in extensive media tours, given lectures and readings throughout Canada, the United States, Britain and Sweden. She served on the Arts Advisory Panel to Canada Council and was a member of Canada Council's 1985 Cultural Delegation to China. She was a founding member of The Writers’ Union of Canada and for many years was on the executive of The Writers' Trust, a charitable organization for the support of Canadian authors and literature. Fraser lived in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

[Nona]

Ok so I picked this up years ago as a impulsive buy and then later on looking at the cover art I wondered if I ever would actually read it. Well Two years after I bought The Emperor's Virgin I finally picked it up and flipped the cover and was not able to put it down til I finished it.

The story was filled with details of Rome and the life of the citizens of Rome. I loved the way the reader was introduced to the many different people and their social status as well as their history. I felt drawn to be angry with the Emperor then pity him with the turn of a page and cry in outrage at his actions on the next. Marcus was more a hero then any other I've read about, flawed yet perfect all in one and Cornelia was head strong and loyal and yet willing to give all for the one person that made her see herself not just as a Vestal Virgin but a woman of Rome.

I am so glad I picked this book up and read it though now I wonder why I hadn't read it sooner however I would love to read more of Sylvia Fraser!

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review to come.

[Sara G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a weird book. It's historical fiction set during Domitian's time as Roman emperor, but there are a lot of weird digressions and sexual fetish stuff. The historical details are surprisingly very interesting and fairly accurate, but the orgies and rapes definitely threw me off. I enjoyed it on the whole, but it's not for the faint hearted. Side note, however: compared to modern erotic fiction, etc, it is fairly tame, but the subject matter is out of the ordinary.