A new perspective on a favorite character from Greek mythology
While I feel slightly inundated with Greek mythology retellings, I still can’t resist them. Clytemnestra, the revenge-fueled queen, is a particular favorite of mine. This book begins with Clytemnestra and her sister, Helen (yes, THAT Helen) as children, who are taught to fight just like their Spartan brothers. Clytemnestra is protective of beautiful Helen and we can tell from the beginning that while Helen has the looks, Clytemnestra has the strength and cleverness. Most stories I’ve read about Clytemnestra begin with the start of the Trojan War and end with Agamemnon’s return from Troy. I’m interested to get a more complete picture of her, including her relationship with Helen and her first marriage.
The writing here is good, but I’m not sure if it’s enough to make Cosati’s book stand out amongst the likes of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller. In fact, much of Clytemnestra’s story was covered in Jennifer Saint’s Elektra and she most recently appeared in Claire North’s gorgeously written new book Ithaca. But, there is a reason we have been telling the Greek myths over and over again for centuries. They are stories that remain open to the perspectives of new authors and I’m sure that Cosati has something original to share in Clytemnestra’s well- known story. I’d like to read the rest of the book and find out what that is.
The writing here is good, but I’m not sure if it’s enough to make Cosati’s book stand out amongst the likes of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller. In fact, much of Clytemnestra’s story was covered in Jennifer Saint’s Elektra and she most recently appeared in Claire North’s gorgeously written new book Ithaca. But, there is a reason we have been telling the Greek myths over and over again for centuries. They are stories that remain open to the perspectives of new authors and I’m sure that Cosati has something original to share in Clytemnestra’s well- known story. I’d like to read the rest of the book and find out what that is.