Bernardine Evaristo's Literary Legacy: A Ranked Exploration of Her Top Works
Bernardine Evaristo has carved a unique path in contemporary literature, blending experimental forms with profound storytelling. Her works, ranging from verse novels to prose, challenge conventions while maintaining readability. This article ranks seven of her standout titles, highlighting her innovative approach and thematic depth.
7. Soul Tourists (2005)
Even by Evaristo's adventurous standards, Soul Tourists stands out as a bold fusion of genres. It follows Stanley and Jessie, an unlikely couple, on a European road trip where they encounter ghosts of black historical figures like Alexander Pushkin and Mary Seacole. The narrative weaves together prose, poetry, scripts, and even budget spreadsheets, creating a vibrant but occasionally overwhelming tapestry. Despite its structural ambitions, the book shines with charm and energetic dialogue, driven by the couple's fiery dynamic.
Sample line: "Will you shut the fuck up, Mr Whingealot! This is supposed to be a freewheeling adventure, not an expedition planned with military precision."6. Manifesto: On Never Giving Up (2021)
While awaiting her next major novel, Evaristo offers this spirited memoir, Manifesto. It chronicles her life from childhood to literary acclaim, emphasising resilience in work, love, and activism. Though packed with humour and personal insights, the piecemeal structure sometimes lacks the narrative power of her fiction. Evaristo reflects on storytelling as her key communication tool, making this a compelling, if fragmented, glimpse into her creative journey.
5. Lara (1997)
Evaristo's debut novel, Lara, is an autobiographical work written entirely in verse. It delves into her multicultural heritage, tracing roots from Nigeria to Ireland, Germany, and Brazil. This book was pivotal for Evaristo, helping her find her voice and connect with family history. However, it sparked familial tensions, with her mother critiquing intimate scenes and her father proudly, if inaccurately, showcasing it to others.
Sample line: "At Eltham Hill Girls she torpedoed chewing gum on entering / hitched her skirt on exiting / tissue-padded her non-existents in the upstairs loo / and choked over smoke at lunchtime behind Jubilee Gardens."4. Blonde Roots (2008)
In her first prose novel, Blonde Roots, Evaristo flips history by imagining Europeans enslaved by Africans. The protagonist, Doris Scagglethorpe, desires physical alterations to fit in before being captured and sent to "Amarika." While sections on slavery are harrowing, the book's sharp irony and imaginative premise create a powerful, thought-provoking read that challenges perceptions of race and power.
Sample line: "My terms of engagement stipulated that it was a job for life, that my hours should run from Sunday to Monday 12am to 11.55pm daily, though I needed to be available to do overtime when required."3. The Emperor's Babe (2001)
The Emperor's Babe exemplifies Evaristo's talent for innovation without sacrificing accessibility. Told in free verse, it follows Zuleika, a half-Nubian girl in ancient Rome, married off at eleven to a nobleman. Her affair with Emperor Septimius Severus unfolds with linguistic flair and multilingual puns, making it a joyous and energetic tale. Evaristo has noted this as her most enjoyable writing process, a delight evident in every page.
2. Girl, Woman, Other (2019)
Evaristo's Booker Prize-winning novel, Girl, Woman, Other, is a expansive exploration of twelve black women's lives in Britain. Written in smooth free verse without full stops, it delves into social status and hidden histories with rhythmic precision. The characters grapple with societal constraints, debating assimilation versus rebellion. Drawing on Evaristo's experiences, this book transforms personal material into a universally resonant masterpiece.
Sample line: "Both were disillusioned at being put up for parts such as slave, servant, prostitute, nanny or crim … and still not getting the job."1. Mr Loverman (2013)
Topping the list, Mr Loverman is a charming and poignant novel about Barrington, a 74-year-old British-Caribbean man hiding a sixty-year gay affair with his best friend, Morris. Evaristo masterfully blends textual variety with controlled storytelling, showcasing her signature humour and poetic dialogue. Editor Simon Prosser praises its blend of ordinary speech with memorable wit, making it a flawless work that balances comedy and seriousness.
Sample line: "God a-damn me the day I chose to enter this hellish so-called marriage instead of following my Morris-loving, sweet-loving, full-blooded, hot-blooded, rumping-pumping, throbbing organ of an uncontainable, unrestrainable, undetainable man-loving heart."Bernardine Evaristo's oeuvre continues to inspire with its daring forms and heartfelt narratives, cementing her status as a literary trailblazer.
