Bernardine Evaristo's Best Books: A Definitive Ranking
Bernardine Evaristo, a pioneering voice in contemporary literature, has consistently pushed boundaries while maintaining readability. Her works span genres, blending prose, poetry, and experimental forms to explore themes of identity, heritage, and social justice. Here, we rank seven of her top titles, showcasing her evolution as a writer.
7. Soul Tourists (2005)
This ambitious novel follows Stanley and Jessie on a European road trip, where they encounter ghosts of black historical figures like Alexander Pushkin and Mary Seacole. Told through a mix of prose, poetry, scripts, and even budget spreadsheets, it's a creative mash-up that, while occasionally overwhelming, bursts with energy and charm. The combative relationship between the protagonists drives the narrative, making it a unique read.
"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)
A spirited memoir that delves into Evaristo's life, from her childhood to her literary success. Emphasizing perseverance in work and love, it offers humorous insights and personal reflections. However, its piecemeal structure lacks the cohesive power of her fiction, though it remains an engaging glimpse into her journey.
"Boy, do I look fierce. I remember smiling at a baby on a plane once, only for its father to tell me I was scaring it. Thanks."
5. Lara (1997)
Evaristo's debut novel, written entirely in verse, is an autobiographical tribute to her Nigerian and English-Irish heritage. It explores family history across Germany and Brazil, helping her find her voice. The book sparked family reactions, with her mother critiquing sex scenes and her father proudly, if not accurately, sharing it.
"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)
This prose novel flips history by imagining Europeans enslaved by Africans. Follow Doris Scagglethorpe, a white heroine who desires physical alterations, as she endures capture and transport to "Amarika". Despite harrowing sections, sharp irony lightens the narrative, making it a thought-provoking and impressive work.
"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)
Set in AD211, this free-verse novel tells the story of Zuleika, a half-Nubian girl married off at 11 to a Roman nobleman. Her affair with Emperor Septimius Severus unfolds with verbal energy and multilingual puns, embodying Evaristo's talent for innovation without sacrificing readability. It was her most enjoyable writing process, reflected in its joyful tone.
"His eyes swiftly shifted from ceiling to mine / and speared me – all metal / running down my cold spine, then melting / molten liquid, flowing into the scoop of the bowl / between my hips."
2. Girl, Woman, Other (2019)
Evaristo's Booker Prize-winning novel (shared controversially with Margaret Atwood) features 12 women, mostly black, navigating modern Britain. Its smooth free-verse style, without full stops, explores social status and hidden histories. Characters grapple with fitting in or smashing the system, drawing on Evaristo's life to create a transformative narrative.
"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, this novel centers on Barrington, a 74-year-old British-Caribbean man hiding a 60-year gay affair with his best friend, Morris. It masterfully blends textual variety with controlled storytelling, showcasing Evaristo's wit and warmth. Editor Simon Prosser praises its poetic speech and humor, making it a perfectly crafted work from start to finish.
"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 literary contributions continue to inspire, blending experimentation with accessibility to challenge and entertain readers worldwide.
