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reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
3.75
“Daughters of Sparta” by Claire Heywood
Klytemnestra and Helen, daughters of King Tyndareos, are sisters of a particular station, which draws the attention of many nobles. They each are married off by their father in a bid of strategic diplomacy, as is the custom. But as they continue with their lives, marriages, and family, each begins questioning what it means to wife and mother.
This was an interesting read. I tend to appreciate retellings of myth, especially when they revolve around the feminine figures for whom we know no backstory. I think Heywood did a very good job blending these women’s untold histories with the mythology we know; I was engaged from start to finish. However, I also found myself wishing for more of a retelling, one which empowered these women to an ever greater position. I didn’t find myself asking significant questions or noticing a particular thematic precision. Perhaps this is unfair of me to be looking for here, as it might stem from the comparison made by author Fiona Davis, who blurbed on the cover of my copy that this was “required reading for fans of ‘Circe; [by Madeline Miller].” For me, “Circe” is an absolutely perfect example of myth retold in a way that captures the original style but leaves us asking significant questions from a modern point of view. I don’t find that happening here, which is making me feel somewhat unfulfilled because I was set up with a certain expectation.
All in all this was a fine, enjoyable read and one that I do recommend as an engaging work of fiction. However, I can’t shake the feeling that it could have been more.
Klytemnestra and Helen, daughters of King Tyndareos, are sisters of a particular station, which draws the attention of many nobles. They each are married off by their father in a bid of strategic diplomacy, as is the custom. But as they continue with their lives, marriages, and family, each begins questioning what it means to wife and mother.
This was an interesting read. I tend to appreciate retellings of myth, especially when they revolve around the feminine figures for whom we know no backstory. I think Heywood did a very good job blending these women’s untold histories with the mythology we know; I was engaged from start to finish. However, I also found myself wishing for more of a retelling, one which empowered these women to an ever greater position. I didn’t find myself asking significant questions or noticing a particular thematic precision. Perhaps this is unfair of me to be looking for here, as it might stem from the comparison made by author Fiona Davis, who blurbed on the cover of my copy that this was “required reading for fans of ‘Circe; [by Madeline Miller].” For me, “Circe” is an absolutely perfect example of myth retold in a way that captures the original style but leaves us asking significant questions from a modern point of view. I don’t find that happening here, which is making me feel somewhat unfulfilled because I was set up with a certain expectation.
All in all this was a fine, enjoyable read and one that I do recommend as an engaging work of fiction. However, I can’t shake the feeling that it could have been more.
jcv9999's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sea_uh_dahmay's review against another edition
4.0
no bc any retelling abt women is automatically peak fiction
keaghan_banaitis's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
simonipatel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookishexpat's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sophieeeb's review against another edition
3.0
i wanna give it 3.8 but that’s not allowed. Anyways I really liked this book i think if you liked Madeline Millers stuff you will like this but it might not be exactly what you’re expecting in terms of writing style///romance etc etc but still good. my friend got this for me so i love it extra literally flew through it in like three days, id def recommend if you’re in a reading slump if feels like one of those books good for getting you out of one. I agree w some of the other reviews that the characters didn’t have TOO much depth it’s like the author kept almost getting into something but then would pull back. IDK i’m a sucker for greek historical fiction whatever you wanna call it.
updog425's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.5
willowrae's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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
4.0