allyem_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I thought this was an excellent retelling of Clytemnestra’s story. I’m well versed in her myth—Aeschylus’s Oresteia was a particular focus of mine in school—so nothing in this book was technically new information to me, but I enjoyed how the author told it. The voice was very clear, vengeful and strong. Very “good for her” vibes. I mean, Clytemnestra is the original “good for her” character, really. Her motivations always made sense and she remained level-headed throughout the entire novel, which isn’t always the case in newer retellings. I’m surprised at the ending, though: it felt rather hopeful, which of course doesn’t really match the source material, but I’m not mad about it.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, Sexual violence, Child death, Gore, Blood, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: War, Torture, Suicide, Slavery, Incest, and Alcoholism
bessadams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Slavery, War, Child death, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
ashhearddwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Slavery, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Rape, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Incest, and Sexual content
phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Throughout the whole, Clytemnestra scoffs at prophecy and gods and asserts her will. But...as the reader...you know, you already know, what's going to happen... idk, I can't really capture what I'm trying to say. There's the dramatic irony of it all in a sort of meta way.
Anyway, anyone who says Clytemnestra was a "bad wife" or "wicked queen" can fight me.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Rape, Slavery, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, War, Violence, Domestic abuse, Child death, Child abuse, Cursing, Incest, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
kingsteph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: War, Violence, Rape, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Grief, Self harm, Lesbophobia, Blood, Death, Slavery, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Child death
heatherjchin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Animal death, War, Gore, Bullying, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Rape, Pedophilia, Murder, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child death, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Incest, Grief, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
rustmaiden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Child death, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, War, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Child death, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Torture, and War
raptorq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, War, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Incest
jcinf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very long and at times a little slow, but quick to pick back up again.
To me, the ending was especially strong.
I can’t put my finger on what I didn’t enjoy as much. Perhaps it feeling redundant at times due to being so long? Not sure. If I remember, I’ll come back here and change my rating when I think on it more.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, War, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Slavery, and Rape
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Clytemnestra is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a lesser-known yet significant figure from Greek mythology. Clytemnestra was closely connected to so many other famous Greeks: Helen, Penelope, Agamemnon, Odysseus. In telling Clytemnestra's story, Casati weaves a compelling tale of a woman who is fierce, determined, and powerful.
Ultimately, though, I felt that this novel was simply too long. I loved the dynamic between Helen & Clytemnestra at the novel's beginning. I loved Clytemnestra's interactions with her children towards the end. However, everything in between felt like filler and did not keep my interest. As aforementioned, Clytemnestra is compelling as a whole - but the story could've been told in a more concise fashion.
Graphic: Gore, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, Murder, Alcohol, Violence, War, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief