A gripping retelling of the Oedipus myth in all its twisted-ness!
Two POVs. Jocasta - married off to the King of Thebes as a young girl, alone and friA gripping retelling of the Oedipus myth in all its twisted-ness!
Two POVs. Jocasta - married off to the King of Thebes as a young girl, alone and frightened. The second POV is a young girl Isi living in the palace with her siblings and uncle as her parents died when she was young.
Considering the jumping, I didn’t find the POVs confusing at all, it was done very well and I enjoyed coming to terms with how the two characters were linked.
I loved seeing the inevitable spiral of Jocasta - when her husband dies and she becomes Queen. Marrying a man from a foreign land who is half her age.
I was gripped from start to finish, Natalie Hayes’ characters are always so fully formed and exciting to read. I’m a big fan. ...more
A fierce and vibrant retelling of Clytemnestra’s life, the trials she endured and ultimately the revenge she takes.
Clytemnestra haFucking fantastic.
A fierce and vibrant retelling of Clytemnestra’s life, the trials she endured and ultimately the revenge she takes.
Clytemnestra has always been one of my favorite characters in Greek mythology. Her and Cassandra. So to have a novel solely about her was just incredible.
I didn’t even realise she had been married before Agamemnon, that was fascinating and added another layer to the hatred I hold for that asshole.
I was gripped throughout, right until the bittersweet end, I will definitely be picking up more by this author. ...more
Another wonderful retelling by Jennifer Saint. I actually didn’t know a lot about Atalanta going into this one so I was swept up straight away.
AtalanAnother wonderful retelling by Jennifer Saint. I actually didn’t know a lot about Atalanta going into this one so I was swept up straight away.
Atalanta is left on a hillside as a baby to die as her father saw no point in a daughter. Raised by bears then taken in by the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows fast and strong surrounded by the nymphs in the forest.
When word arrives of Jason getting a crew together of the best fighters and hunters Artemis insists Atalanta join to prove herself and bring glory to Artemis.
Naturally the men have no interest in a woman being their equal. But she soon proves she belongs there as much as any of the men.
Overcoming many obstacles and misogyny, I loved seeing Atalanta grow as she experiences more of the world outside of her grove.
Overall, a wonderful story and Jennifer Saint is becoming a firm favourite of mine.
“They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster, just like they do your sisters.” “It doesn’t matter what they think of me.” “Then why do you “They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster, just like they do your sisters.” “It doesn’t matter what they think of me.” “Then why do you want to protect them?” “Because I can.”
Once I got over the fact that this isn’t just Medusa’s story, I was able to get fully invested.
Don’t get me wrong, we do get her POV and the versions of those around her. But we also get the stories of Andromeda, Danae, Gaia and so many more female characters from myth.
I’m not mad about it, because these stories were fascinating, I just think it should maybe be marketed differently so others are disappointed.
I’m a big fan of Natalie Haynes, I’ve loved all 3 of the books I’ve read of hers and will continue to read more of her work. ...more
Galatea is the wife of a sculptor, he made her from stone and then she was brought to life by the goddess. However hA short story that packs a lot in!
Galatea is the wife of a sculptor, he made her from stone and then she was brought to life by the goddess. However her husband doesn’t anticipate her coming to life with feelings and opinions - how inconvenient.
So he sticks her in what is effectively an asylum - where she is drugged and kept by doctors and nurses.
But Galatea isn’t willing to give up, so she hatches a plan to escape and exact revenge on her despicable husband.
I loved the authors note at the end which explained her inspiration from Pygmalion - a story referred to by Ovid in his Metamorphoses. In the original, Galatea isn’t even named. So Miller flips the tale on its head and portrays it for what it truly is - a misogynistic’s man’s attempt to control a woman for his own means.
So much covered in such a short story, I was blown away. ...more
“He will feel this too, and worse...Let him come back so that I can se his eyes as the light drains from them. Let him come back and die at the hands “He will feel this too, and worse...Let him come back so that I can se his eyes as the light drains from them. Let him come back and die at the hands of his bitterest enemy. Let him come back so that I can watch him suffer. And let me make it slow.”
3.5 ⭐️
Ok, so if you know the Trojan War, there isn’t a great deal of new material here. And having recently read A Thousand Ships and The Women of Troy, maybe it was just too much similar. Don’t get me wrong I adore Greek mythology. My degree was in classical civilisations - so it meant this was a straight forward read, I knew who everyone was and what was going to happen.
I think I preferred Ariadne by Jennifer Saint as I was less familiar with that story. Also I found Elektra infuriating. Her constant obsession with her dad Agamemnon was just hard for me to grasp.
I am fully team Clytemnestra and so I found Elektra’s whining about her mother quite tiresome.
But my absolute fave had a POV. Cassandra is my favourite character from Greek myth so I loved reading her view.
“Just pour the sodding wine and hope it chokes them.”
Really enjoyed this second instalment.
We join Briseis again, who is now married to Alcimus and “Just pour the sodding wine and hope it chokes them.”
Really enjoyed this second instalment.
We join Briseis again, who is now married to Alcimus and carrying Achilles’ baby. She is treated different by the other women as she is now a ‘wife’ rather than a slave like the others.
We meet many of the other Trojan women including Hecuba - Priam’s wife, Andromache - Hector’s wife and Cassandra - the daughter of Priam and Hecuba.
We see the stark reality the women faced. Particularly when one of the women reveals she is pregnant from a Trojan man and fears for the babies life particularly if it is a boy as all Trojan males are killed.
Overall an informative and gripping book full of powerful characters and strong women.
“Women are peculiar creatures. We tend not to love those who murder our families.” ...more
“Angrboda sighed the long-suffering sigh of someone who had been burned, stabbed, killed, betrayed, hassled for information, woken up and otherwise c “Angrboda sighed the long-suffering sigh of someone who had been burned, stabbed, killed, betrayed, hassled for information, woken up and otherwise continuously bothered…Will they never leave me alone?”
I wanted to give this a try because i know very little about Norse Mythology. A witch who has lived 1000 years meets the trickster god Loki and they fall in love.
I got a bit lost later on though. She has a vision that their children will have a part to play in Ragnarok - the end times.
I’m not sure if, me being a Norse mythology novice meant I couldn’t entirely understand what was happening or whether that was actually the book itself.
But once I found myself getting lost, I found myself caring less and less and just pushing through to finish.
*******************
Ok I’ve got this back from the library so I’m ready to dive back in ...more
“I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.”
4 stars ⭐️
I’m a sucker for retellings. Particularly ones ba “I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.”
4 stars ⭐️
I’m a sucker for retellings. Particularly ones based around Greek myth.
Ariadne lives on the island of Crete with her controlling father Minos and her bull brother The Minotaur.
When the Greek hero Theseus arrives with a collection of Athenians to be sacrificed to the Minotaur Ariadne becomes infatuated. She sees an opportunity to stop the slaughter of innocents and take control of her own fate.
But everything changes when she leaves with Theseus and he betrays her by abandoning her on an island to die. But Ariadne’s story does not end here.
I loved the twist on the Greek heroes. Theseus is an asshole and I loved hating on him. I enjoyed all the different elements and characters, including Daedalus and Icarus.
It was good to see the other sides of Dionysus as well. I liked both Phaedra’s and Ariadne’s point of views.
Overall, really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from this author.
********************** My wait is almost over! I asked at the library how far down the queue I am for this book. I am next in line! Honestly I’ve been waiting so long I really I hope it lives up to the hype I’ve made up in my head ...more
“She isn’t a footnote, she’s a person. And she - all the Trojan women - should be memorialised as much as any other person.”
I enjoy anything relati “She isn’t a footnote, she’s a person. And she - all the Trojan women - should be memorialised as much as any other person.”
I enjoy anything relating to Greek mythology, it’s my jam. This book in particular grabbed my interest because it gives voice to the women during the Trojan War rather than the usual characters (Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon etc.) and granted, these men are obviously included. They cannot be ignored when recounting the Trojan War, but so too should the women be included. The wives, the kidnapped, the enslaved.
As well as those we have stories of the goddesses, ones who were involved in the beginning of the war due to their own petty grievances.
I loved all the different character perspectives and even learned a few things which I didn’t expect ...more
I’m sad, I thought I’d love this but there doesn’t seem to be anything different in here than is in The Aeneid. It’s just from Lavinia’DNF at page 180
I’m sad, I thought I’d love this but there doesn’t seem to be anything different in here than is in The Aeneid. It’s just from Lavinia’s perspective but all the events are the same, and I’m bored ...more
A quick story i blitzed through, telling Medusa’s story from her perspective.
I loved the illustrations in this, they made the story for me.
We meet MA quick story i blitzed through, telling Medusa’s story from her perspective.
I loved the illustrations in this, they made the story for me.
We meet Medusa living on a remote island with her two sisters. When a stranger arrives on his boat she is desperate for conversation but remains hidden. Will she ever reveal herself to him and what will happen if she does?
This story gives Medusa a lot more depth. She is a fleshed out, human character with a tragic past. I enjoyed spending time with her in this book.
Briseis is a noble woman who becomes a slave when her city is attacked by the Greeks on their way to Troy. She is taken by “Silence becomes a woman.”
Briseis is a noble woman who becomes a slave when her city is attacked by the Greeks on their way to Troy. She is taken by Achilles as his ‘prize of honour’ as are hundreds of other women.
Those not as ‘lucky’ are passed around between men, forced to sleep on the ground and beg for scraps of food.
This is the Trojan war from behind the scenes. Not the glorious battle and noble deaths, but those who didn’t choose this. Those taken from everything they’ve known, forced to watch their relatives raped and/or killed.
I know the Trojan War very well, so none of it was particularly new to me. But it is important to reread well known stories from a different perspective, to be reminded it isn’t all glory and power. It is rats, plague, gangrene and rape.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because it is supposed to be the women’s stories, their point of view. But there were quite a few chapters focused on Achilles and Patroclus - I don’t have a problem with that. It’s just if a book is advertised as from the women, I’d expect this to be the case consistently throughout.
“We’re going to survive - our songs, our stories. They’ll never be able to forget us. Decades after the last man who fought at Troy is dead, their sons will remember the songs their Trojan mothers sang to them. We’ll be in their dreams - and in their worst nightmares too.” ...more
This was a cute children’s story, thankfully much tamer than some of Gaiman’s other works which are more often than not, pretty terrifying.
Odd lives wThis was a cute children’s story, thankfully much tamer than some of Gaiman’s other works which are more often than not, pretty terrifying.
Odd lives with his mother and her new husband, since the disappearance and presumed death of Odd’s father. His step father is rude, nasty and often cruel to Odd. So one day he decides to leave, to walk to his father’s old hut, and remain there. While there Odd meets 3 animals, a fox, a bear and an eagle – but they are not as they appear. And once they begin to talk everything changes for Odd, he soon realises he is actually speaking with the gods of Asgard – Thor, Odin and Loki.
I liked Odd as a character, he walks with a limp, he is quite sassy and takes everything in his stride. This story was entertaining and enjoyable, would recommend to anyone looking for a short book with big heart. ...more
This was technically a reread, but I couldn't remember the specific dates I read it the first time, so I recorded this as a first time read.
Such an enThis was technically a reread, but I couldn't remember the specific dates I read it the first time, so I recorded this as a first time read.
Such an enjoyable, quick and surprising retelling of The Odyssey from Penelope's perspective. Nearly everyone knows Odysseus, smart, witty, promiscuous; tackles 1 too many mythical beasts over the decade he is missing on his return from The Trojan War. Penelope is sassy, intelligent, and more than a little bit pissed off at her cousin Helen for causing this war and therefore preventing her husbands safe return. We also get a new persepctive of Helen. Usually she is seen as sweet, beautiful (obviously) kind etc. Here we seen her as vain, nasty and particularly cruel.
The Penelopiad is told from Penelope's POV, from Hades, long after she and the others from antiquity are dead. She talks to the reader in the 21st century, to tell her side of the story. There is also an important focus on the 12 maids who were murdered on Odysseus' return for sleeping with the suitors who were hounding Penelope and her home during Odysseus' absence.
A fantastic perspective to read, it makes you question a lot of Odysseus' behaviours and in particular, his massive double standards (sleeping with countless goddesses, but fuming if Penelope so much as looked at another man)
Overall a great book to read alongside or after The Odyssey...more
Weeks after I started this buddy read with Fares I finally finish way late because I’m useless. Enjoyed reading with you bud - please don't give4.5 ⭐️
Weeks after I started this buddy read with Fares I finally finish way late because I’m useless. Enjoyed reading with you bud - please don't give up buddy reading with me forever!
“I am the spark that will set the worlds afire. I am the hammer that cracks the chains.”
Well bloodydamn! This was fantastic! Full of violence and secrets, politics and betrayals, all tied up with intricate and believable world building.
Darrow is a Red. The Red’s live on Mars and work as miners. It is hard and dangerous work, but they are told they are pioneers, working towards making the planet habitable for all the other colours. There are as many other colours as can be counted – greens, pinks, blues, browns, coppers – too many to list. But the most important, are the Golds.
The Golds are the leaders, the ones in charge, and when Darrow realises how corrupt the system the Reds are forced to live under really is – it’s time to take action.
Undergoing a series of painful operations and intense training, Darrow is recreated as a Gold. Sent into their tests and training to hopefully worm his way in and find a way to bring their reign of terror down.
I loved all the different characters (Pax, Mustang, Sevro, Cassius and many others), I loved the comparisons with Ancient Rome, both with the names the Golds are given and also the way in which the Golds rule. They have Praetors and Imperators, the leaders that test the Golds have even named themselves after the Roman gods (Apollo, Mars, Venus, Juno etc.) very interestingly done.
The main test the Golds have is very Hunger Games-esque. They are split into teams, chosen by each of the Olympians and forced to battle each other, to enslave one another, until one house and one Primus remains.
As I said, loads of violence, so be wary if that isn’t your thing. But Darrow as a character was outstanding. He does everything that he must in order to move forward, never forgetting his family or the Reds that he is fighting for whilst attempting to keep his secret from everyone. So many twists and turns, Darrow always seems to have another trick up his sleeve, and I cannot wait to see where his journey takes him next!
“Remember the chains, when Gold ruled with iron veins, we roared and roared, and twisted and screamed, for ours, a vale, of better dreams.” ...more
"But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth."
Well this was just jam pack "But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth."
Well this was just jam packed with loads of mythology, gods and goddesses and characters from antiquity! I loved spotting so many memorable names and stories, woven expertly into Circe's tale.
Daedalus and Icarus Prometheus and his poor poor liver Circe's father - the Sun god Helios and his perfect white cattle Her sister Pasiphae, mother of Aridane, who befriends and aids Theseus in his destruction of the minotaur. Her brother Aaetes, father of Medea - lover of Jason, and history's original crazy lady. And of course the wanderer Odysseus, who along with his men discover Circe's island.
Circe is a very well known character in mythology. The witch who turns men into pigs - she is portrayed as a villain, in only the brief chapter she has within The Odyssey. Madeline Miller gives new life to the character of Circe. We hear about her upbringing as a daughter of a Titan, her awful relatives and the absolute disassociation of the Olympian gods. When she is discovered to have certain 'witch like' powers, her father Helios banishes her to an island, to live out her days forever.
"You threw me to the crows, but it turns out I prefer them to you."
She receives many visitors including Hermes, watches the coming and going of so many mortals. It seems divinity can be really damn exhausting. Without giving away all the different story aspects, she is included in so many lives, not least that of Odysseus; who is certainly shown in a different light in this book.
Overall a fascinating tale filled with myths and characters. If you are familiar with Circe or not, it is an exciting read, and she is a truly great protagonist to meet.
"Those who fight against prophecy only draw it more tightly around their throats."
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