A ROME OF ONE'S OWN The Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire

At first, Danielle Cohen's performance and Emma Southon's text both seem to come on too strong, trying too hard to be brassy and smart-alecky. But this history of Rome told through the stories of Roman women, legendary and historical, soon shows itself to be thoughtful and deeply informative, and is often amusing in its snarky, sassy, profane way. Cohen's sharp, sometimes acid, tone and manner match Southon's breezy contemporary take on ancient history. Her excellent comedic expressiveness and timing, her cheery delivery of off-color language, and her intelligent understanding of the nuances of story enhance the smart and irreverent text. Perhaps not for all tastes--tolerance of patriarchy-bashing and swearing are required--it's energetic, never boring, and frequently funny, an impudent, but thoroughly educational, enjoyment. W.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2024]