Book Reviews
Robinson begins her episodic debut novel with the birth of the dwarf, Dominic, in Gaul in A.D. 375. As Dominic travels through the provinces to Rome, Constantinople and the borders of the Roman empire, the daily lives of Gauls, Greeks, Goths, pagans, Christians, peasants and aristocrats are portrayed in detail. Orphaned as a child, Dominic is sold to the owner of an itinerant Greek circus troupe, becomes an accomplished acrobat and learns to enjoy the vagabond life. After escaping the wrath of a Roman senator, he is betrayed and sold to an Arab trader who in turn sells him to an enlightened master in Constantinople. The death of this master leads into a drawn-out account of Dominic's subsequent torture and degradation at the hands of the bestial commander of a Roman garrison on the Rhine. Pagan, Greek, Roman and Viking myths color this lively but overlong chronicle.
Publishers Weekly
A picaresque first novel about a sharp-witted dwarf growing up in ancient Rome, Dominic is a study of contrasts: personal, emotional, geographical, religious, and philosophical. Dominic, a Christian child, is orphaned in Gaul, sold into slavery, and trained as an acrobat in a circus troupe of pagan vagabonds. The slave's changing fortunes include higher education and travels throughout the ancient world. His incredible journeys bring cruelty and unmitigated misery to this engaging dwarf, who also finally experiences the joys of friendship and caring. Thoroughly good reading, Dominic makes an unfamiliar era live. This is well recommended. —Ellen R. Cohen, Rockville, Md.
Library Journal
A fourth-century A.D. young dwarf narrates his adventures—some fairly hideous—here and there within the disintegrating Roman Empire. Dominic, the son of a poor Gallic goatherder, is raised with love and tenderness. Both parents dead (the father is killed by Roman troops), the boy is taken in by an uncle, who after two years sells him into slavery. Then through extraordinary luck Dominic is bought by the leader of a band of vagabond performers, learns their skills, is introduced to a new religion (worship of the Egyptian Isis), and becomes part of a devoted family. Off to Rome for revels—and terrible tragedy. Twice again Dominic will be sold into slavery—some experiences will net him learning, travels to exotic places, and even affection. But later he'll return to the Gallic provinces—and hell itself—in the castle of a sadistic noble. There'll be, happily, a miraculous rescue. Among the lands Dominic travels: Rome, Athens, Constantinople, Alexandria, and some lovely, scenic wild places. An earnest narration unfolds elementary characters, relentless adventures, and views of ancient urban splendors. It all moves along at a lively clip.
Kirkus Reviews