The Colonial Heart: How Arabella Pascal's 'Zanzibar' Exposes Love's Darkest Paradoxes

LOS ANGELES, CA / / May 26, 2025 / Historical romance has long been a refuge for those seeking escapism-a world of grand ballrooms, whispered confessions, and neatly tied happy endings. Arabella Pascal's Zanzibar (2nd Edition) shatters these conventions with the force of a hurricane. This is not a novel that merely entertains; it confronts, challenges, and unsettles. Set against the opulent backdrop of Victorian England and the brutal reality of East Africa's slave trade, Zanzibar forces readers to grapple with romance's most uncomfortable question: Can love truly flourish where power is violently unequal? Pascal's answer is as breathtaking as it is devastating-a story where passion and oppression collide, leaving no heart unscathed.
The Architect: Arabella Pascal (née Jerri Levi)
Arabella Pascal is no ordinary romance novelist. An art historian by training, she penned Zanzibar while living in Africa, embedding her prose with the precision of an academic and the fire of a storyteller. Comparisons to Diana Gabaldon are inevitable-both authors wield history like a blade-but Pascal's work cuts deeper, exposing the psychological scars of colonization with unflinching clarity. Her protagonist, Charlotte Earnshaw, is no simpering debutante but a woman ensnared-first by Zanzibar's enigmatic Prince Jasim Bin Rashid, then by the gilded cages of her own family's secrets.
What sets Pascal apart is her refusal to simplify. Jasim, the so-called villain, is the only character who truly sees Charlotte's humanity, blurring the line between captor and liberator. Meanwhile, her bonus content, "What Charlotte Wore," dissects 19th-century fashion with the rigor of a scholar, drawing parallels between the constriction of corsets and the suffocation of colonial rule. This is historical romance as reclamation-a genre often dismissed as frivolous transformed into a vessel for reckoning.
The Real-World Impact: Romance as Reckoning
Pascal's novel doesn't just subvert romance tropes; it ignites them like gunpowder. The classic "captive falls for captor" dynamic becomes a moral quagmire, forcing readers to question where desire ends and complicity begins. Even the villainous brother-in-law, Derek, is a mirror for patriarchy's banality-a reminder that oppression often wears a familiar face. Fans of Sandra Brown's taut suspense will find Gabaldon's depth here, but with a twist: Zanzibar demands engagement, not just escapism.
The numbers prove its resonance. Dark romance is surging in popularity, but Zanzibar stands apart-62% of Goodreads reviewers call it "unlike anything they've read," a testament to its unflinching blend of passion and politics. Its recognition as a finalist for the Best Long Historical by the Romance Writers of America underscores its duality: a love story that refuses to look away from history's darkest corners. Even the audiobook, narrated by British actor Gary Appleton, has captured 40% of sales, a nod to Pascal's commitment to authenticity.
The Future: Can Romance Novels Be Radical?
Pascal's next project, a thriller set in the Belgian Congo, signals her unwavering mission: to drag romance into the arena of cultural critique. She's part of a bold new wave of authors challenging the genre to confront its blind spots. Can a "happily ever after" exist when the wounds of history are still raw? Should love stories sidestep oppression for the sake of escapism? These are the questions Zanzibar forces into the light, proving that romance can be both swoon-worthy and revolutionary.
Conclusion: The Heart in Chains
Zanzibar is more than a novel-it's an indictment. Arabella Pascal wields romance like a scalpel, dissecting the illusions of power and desire with surgical precision. In her hands, the genre becomes a rebellion, petticoats and all. The darkest chains, she reminds us, aren't the ones around the wrists-they're the ones around the heart.
PR Toolkit for Evrima Chicago
The press hook writes itself: "The Romance Novel That's Too Dangerous for Bridgerton Fans." Target film blogs with its cinematic potential (Outlander meets 12 Years a Slave), pitch academic journals on its revisionist take on history, and let Pascal's own words seal the deal: "Writing Zanzibar felt like solving a puzzle-one where the pieces were stained with blood and rosewater."
Purchase links and media contacts stand ready. The only question left is: Are readers prepared for a love story that refuses to let them look away?
Purchase Links : Amazon
Disclaimer - Evrima ChicagoThis original article was independently researched and published by the Evrima Chicago News Bureau and has not been previously published in any form before today. It is intended for editorial use and syndication on the world wide web as part of our coverage on contemporary literary works and their cultural relevance.
Not Endorsed by the AuthorThe views and interpretations expressed herein are those of our editorial team and are not sponsored, commissioned, or officially endorsed by Jerri Levi (Arabella Pascal).
Publication StandardsThis piece qualifies as a digital-first publication under recognized W3C web content syndication frameworks and is timestamped for archival and distribution purposes.
No Liability for Obsessive ReadersEvrima Chicago disclaims all liability for readers who finish Zanzibar and immediately book flights to Stonehenge or Zanzibar. Historical obsession may occur.
Publisher NoteEvrima Chicago is an independent media and research outlet producing editorial content across literature, history, modern culture, AI, accessibility (A11Y), and news media.
Contact Type
Details
General Inquiries / Rights / Corrections
PR@EvrimaChicago.com
Phone
909-326-0347
Author Contact
waasay@evrimachicago.com
Author Name
Waa Say (Dan Wasserman)
© 2025 Evrima Chicago. All rights reserved.
SOURCE: Evrima Chicago
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

14 hours ago

• Yahoo

That Terrifying Chant in '28 Years Later': Danny Boyle Explains How a 110-Year-Old Recording Came to Define the Film

When the first trailer arrived for '28 Years Later,' the third installment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's masterful '28 Days Later' series of horror films, it was scary, filled with gruesome images of zombies and a dystopian world. But what makes the trailer even more terrifying is an eerie, rhythmic chant by a high, nasal voice, moving with a military cadence, monotonal at first but growing increasingly louder and more agitated as it goes on, with the images and ominous musical backdrop growing in speed and intensity as it progresses. More from Variety Box Office: '28 Years Later' Debuts to $5.8 Million, 'Elio' Flies to $3 Million in Thursday Previews Danny Boyle Says He Could Not Make 'Slumdog Millionaire' Today Due to 'Cultural Appropriation' and 'That's How It Should Be': 'I'd Want a Young Indian Filmmaker to Shoot It' '28 Years Later' Duo Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Break Down That Cliffhanger, the Next Two Movies and the Studio's Reaction to Extreme Gore and Nudity Somehow, in that context, the chant, even though the words seem unrelated to the images, is absolutely horrifying, like a deranged rap song. Its use in the film makes an ominous scene even more ominous. The chant is actually 'Boots,' a poem by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1903 and intended to convey the maddening monotony of soldiers marching; the direct inspiration was the hundreds of miles British soldiers were forced to march across southern Africa in the Second Boer War around the turn of the last century, according to the Kipling Society. The recording used in the film is nearly as old as the poem itself, voiced in 1915 by actor Taylor Holmes. It is a dramatic reading that starts off militaristic as the initial lines set the scene, but his voice is patently hysterical by the end, even as it follows the lock-step rhythm of the first five syllables: 'I—have—marched—six—weeks in hell and certifyIt—is—not—fire—devils, dark, or anything,But boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up and down again,And there's no discharge in the war!Try—try—try—try—to think of something differentOh—my—God—keep—me from going lunatic!' Unusually for something featured so prominently in a trailer, the poem plays a very small, although foreboding, role in the film — buttressed with an eerie bass synthesizer, it soundtracks Spike and his father walking to the mainland, which is thick with infected zombies, and presumably conveys that they're marching to war. But out of everything that could have been used to deliver that message, why a 110-year-old recording of a poem that dates back to the peak of the British Empire? Boyle explained in an interview with Variety last week. 'We had all these archives that we wanted to use to suggest the culture that the island was teaching its children,' he says. 'It was very much a regressive thing — they were looking back to a time when England was great. 'It's very much linked to Shakespeare,' he continues. 'For those who know the 'Henry the Fifth' film, there's a very famous speech, the Saint Crispin's Day speech, which is about the noble heroic English beating the French with their bows and arrows. We were searching for a song, for a hymn — for a speech, actually. We did think about using the Crispin's Day speech at one point, but that felt too on the nose. 'And then we watched the trailer — Alex and I remember it vividly — the first trailer that Sony sent us, and there was this [recording] on it, and we were like, 'Fucking hell!' It was startling in its power. It was used very effectively. 'The trailer is a very good trailer, but there was something more than that about that [recording], about that tune, about that poem. And we tried it in our archive sequence, and it was like it was made for. it' A rep for Sony wasn't immediately able to pinpoint the person who chose the chant for that trailer, but it was so effective that Boyle was quick to incorporate it into the film. 'It's like a reverse osmosis,' he says. 'It came into the film and seemed to make sense of so much of what we've been trying to reach for.' He also notes that Kipling's words and Holmes' voice, echoing across the decades in a context neither ever could have imagined, somehow take on a new power in today's context. 'You have to hold your hand up and say, 'How is it that something that's recorded over 100 years ago has that same visceral power that it's always intended to have?' And I think it was always intended to have that power and it still maintains it. In a TikTok world, it still has that impact. It's amazing.' Additional reporting by Bill Earl. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar

Wall Street Journal

15 hours ago

• Wall Street Journal

House of the Week: A Romance Novelist's Prohibition-Era California Home

Historical romance novelist Kathryn Le Veque loves nothing more than a deep dive into history, in order to set her love affairs against the backdrop of medieval England. Her home in Glendora, Calif., sent her down a new rabbit hole. The Wallace Neff-designed home dates to the 1930s, when it was created for Arthur K. Bourne, heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. It has a hidden steel-lined safe room designed to protect the Singer family following the Lindbergh baby kidnapping in 1932. Built during Prohibition, the room also serves as a speakeasy.

News24

a day ago

• News24

Winter luxe from Mihlali Ndamase and more

As the cold season settles in, fashion remains just as essential. While winter dressing can feel like a challenge with striking the right balance between staying warm and looking stylish, it's far from impossible. The key lies in clever layering and texture play with colour also playing a role in winter styling. Vogue describes how the season's standout shades are none other than the timeless duo of black and white. While black and white may reign supreme this season, they're not the only colours that work. Rich tones like burgundy and earthy hues like deep browns can also elevate a winter look. We spotlight celebrities who have mastered the art of winter dressing this week: Trenched in warmth Zola Nombona rocks a classic beige trench coat layered over a white outfit. She pairs the effortless look with chunky sneakers and a cream shoulder handbag. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zola (@znombona) Cosy in chocolate tones Mihlali Ndamase's rich chocolate-brown coat worn over a white poloneck and ripped jeans looks stunning. The minimalist look, which Vogue describes as having been born in 1920, represents true elegance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mihlali Ndamase (@mihlalii_n) Forest green layered luxe in Blue Mbombo pairs the deep green coat with statement boots and a multi-coloured handbag. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blue Mbombo (@blue_mbombo) Snow queen Amanda du-Pont's all-white ensemble featuring a faux fur-collared coat is perfect for crisp winter days. She styles the look with a structured bag and gold earrings for a luxe finish. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda du-Pont (@amandadupont) Casual cool Amanda's relaxed, sporty look with a varsity-style green and white jacket is paired with loose-fitting cargo jeans and boots. It is warm, cosy and perfect for off-duty days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda du-Pont (@amandadupont)