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jekaluleka's review against another edition
4.0
I got so immersed in the world of this book. Justice for the girls :(
eviesellers's review against another edition
3.0
this book was easy and fairly enjoyable to read, but fell flat in its goal of assigning agency and personality to helen and klytemnestra. neither sister really got much of a personality, and there was still a heavy emphasis on how powerless they were in their own society (i didn't expect a retelling where they were magically liberated, but it seemed somewhat strange how often this idea was brought up in a book meant to show who these women were outside of the patriarchal power structures that obscured them).
i don't know a whole lot about ancient greece, as it was never really a historical period that caught my interest, but in reading other reviews of this book i've since learned that there are some inaccuracies and important details that were left out that would have contributed to the story (zeus as helen's father, cassandra's gift of prophecy, the trojan horse)
i don't know a whole lot about ancient greece, as it was never really a historical period that caught my interest, but in reading other reviews of this book i've since learned that there are some inaccuracies and important details that were left out that would have contributed to the story (zeus as helen's father, cassandra's gift of prophecy, the trojan horse)
bubblegumwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
allallata's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll start by saying that I’m italian and I’ve studied for 5 years greek and latin literature in high school, so I bought this book because I wanted to re-experience all the studies that I did and also because I’m a huge greek literature nerd.
This wasn’t definitely a terrible book, or so I wouldn’t have rated it with three stars. The problem itself stays in how the characters are potrayed, and how they show no resemblance with the characters that will become in the future: Klytemnestra is nothing like the fierce, unstable, insane Klytemnestra that Aeschylus shows us in his play; and don’t get me started on Helen, that returns back to Sparta with Menelaos, something that I quite don’t approve; obviously there are infinite versions of Helen’s story, but I prefer the ones where she is left completely alone with her own pain to live with, you know? Somehow it makes the story feel much more emotional on a deeper lever, even more plausible.
One other thing that I haven’t liked much is the emotional development of the characters, because I think some part of the two separate stories are missing: just as we miss the arrive and the “welcoming” of Helen at the Trojan court, we miss the whole grief parts of Klytemnestra. Your daughter has just been KILLED by your husband in front of you. How come you show no pain? No anger? No grief? And yes, while reading this you must say “has she read the book? Klytemnestra tries to kill Agamemnon after he has sacrified their daughter”. Nah. That was not enough. The real Klytemnestra, the one that was always spoken of in ancient greek works, was absolutely insane and her anger, her rage consumed her ‘til her death. She wouldn’t be so hesitant like she was in the whole book.
Another thing that I haven’t liked (and understood???) was the complete absence of the divine figures. Why it is never spoken of Pandora’s box? Or all the magic and the monsters and all that I would’ve expected from an epic poem retelling.
I’m really upset to say this, but I expected something better.
This wasn’t definitely a terrible book, or so I wouldn’t have rated it with three stars. The problem itself stays in how the characters are potrayed, and how they show no resemblance with the characters that will become in the future: Klytemnestra is nothing like the fierce, unstable, insane Klytemnestra that Aeschylus shows us in his play; and don’t get me started on Helen, that returns back to Sparta with Menelaos, something that I quite don’t approve; obviously there are infinite versions of Helen’s story, but I prefer the ones where she is left completely alone with her own pain to live with, you know? Somehow it makes the story feel much more emotional on a deeper lever, even more plausible.
One other thing that I haven’t liked much is the emotional development of the characters, because I think some part of the two separate stories are missing: just as we miss the arrive and the “welcoming” of Helen at the Trojan court, we miss the whole grief parts of Klytemnestra. Your daughter has just been KILLED by your husband in front of you. How come you show no pain? No anger? No grief? And yes, while reading this you must say “has she read the book? Klytemnestra tries to kill Agamemnon after he has sacrified their daughter”. Nah. That was not enough. The real Klytemnestra, the one that was always spoken of in ancient greek works, was absolutely insane and her anger, her rage consumed her ‘til her death. She wouldn’t be so hesitant like she was in the whole book.
Another thing that I haven’t liked (and understood???) was the complete absence of the divine figures. Why it is never spoken of Pandora’s box? Or all the magic and the monsters and all that I would’ve expected from an epic poem retelling.
I’m really upset to say this, but I expected something better.
sunselenite's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I definitely need to refresh my memory of the story of the Trojan War, but despite that I thought this was such a beautiful and compelling retelling. The character developments and perspectives of Helen and Klytemnestra in this are presented in ways that are so viscerally real and heart-wrenching, but just so important to delve into. The writing style does at times seem more obviously contemporary than what a story in this historic setting would usually call for, but I found I wasn’t actually bothered by it so much because the writing is genuinely so moving. I loved this book much more than I expected I would, and as emotionally devastating as it is, I’d love to reread it in the near future.
vail484mro's review against another edition
4.0
probably one of the most depressing books i've ever read but very good!!
angzlina's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joleen_hope's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Child death
cass1699's review against another edition
3.0
i’m a bit torn over this book, because there were several aspects that were done very well, but other parts fell a bit flat for me.
the good stuff first: i really fucking love klytemnestra. everything about her was just *chef’s kiss*. her characterization and the struggles that she faced, as well as the anguish she felt over being the perfect woman vs. the woman she actually was. i felt her pain and i was glad that in the end, she got her revenge on her SHITHEAD husband. seriously, fuck that guy.
i also liked how the author portrayed women’s lives as a catch 22. that was the entire point of the book, and miss heywood definitely drove it home. it hurts my heart to think about how helen and nestra literally could not win, no matter which decisions they made.
some bad stuff: aside from nestra, i didn’t really feel connected or sympathetic toward any of the other characters (aside from kassandra. her fate almost made me cry). helen pissed me off, all the men pissed me off, etc etc etc. there were also some parts of the book that just DRAGGED, as is proven by the fact that it took me around two and a half weeks to finish it.
so yeah, some pros and some cons overall! i think the book was written extremely well, but it’s not something that will stick with me for the rest of my days.
the good stuff first: i really fucking love klytemnestra. everything about her was just *chef’s kiss*. her characterization and the struggles that she faced, as well as the anguish she felt over being the perfect woman vs. the woman she actually was. i felt her pain and i was glad that in the end, she got her revenge on her SHITHEAD husband. seriously, fuck that guy.
i also liked how the author portrayed women’s lives as a catch 22. that was the entire point of the book, and miss heywood definitely drove it home. it hurts my heart to think about how helen and nestra literally could not win, no matter which decisions they made.
some bad stuff: aside from nestra, i didn’t really feel connected or sympathetic toward any of the other characters (aside from kassandra. her fate almost made me cry). helen pissed me off, all the men pissed me off, etc etc etc. there were also some parts of the book that just DRAGGED, as is proven by the fact that it took me around two and a half weeks to finish it.
so yeah, some pros and some cons overall! i think the book was written extremely well, but it’s not something that will stick with me for the rest of my days.