poppy_mh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
jade_courtney's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this had a lot going for it and I really wanted to love it. And I did really enjoy it, there are just a few things that stop me from professing my complete adoration unfortunately.
The story is definitely 'inspired' by Oedipus rather than actually retelling the myth(s if you're counting the different versions) and I really enjoyed this aspect. While I was fairly sure on where the cards would land, I genuinely didn't know how they'd get there.
But there was an inconsistency and a seeming lack of motivation for one character (at least for me) which bothered me, more so than anything because they're integral to the story and I was loving it all so much only for it to feel a little incomplete to me. And somewhat relatedly, the characters (having finished the story since during this wasn't a problem for me) didn't 'turn into real people in my mind' in the way that characters often do for me. I think the story was fairly brief, while packing a lot of time and myth in and that this may have hurt their portrayal slightly.
But these are my only complaints and up until the last few chapters, or so, they didn't overly bother me.
The story is definitely 'inspired' by Oedipus rather than actually retelling the myth(s if you're counting the different versions) and I really enjoyed this aspect. While I was fairly sure on where the cards would land, I genuinely didn't know how they'd get there.
But there was an inconsistency and a seeming lack of motivation for one character (at least for me) which bothered me, more so than anything because they're integral to the story and I was loving it all so much only for it to feel a little incomplete to me. And somewhat relatedly, the characters (having finished the story since during this wasn't a problem for me) didn't 'turn into real people in my mind' in the way that characters often do for me. I think the story was fairly brief, while packing a lot of time and myth in and that this may have hurt their portrayal slightly.
But these are my only complaints and up until the last few chapters, or so, they didn't overly bother me.
lundy_s's review against another edition
4.0
Circe started my Greek Mythology re-written kick, and this book was the last one of this kick that I really enjoyed. The story of Oedipus, as told by one of his children, with a focus on his mother. Tragic (of course), beautiful and suspenseful.
nle2004's review against another edition
4.0
A new view on a well known myth, that brings the story down to earth. The chapters shift focus from Jocasta, Oedipus's wife and their younger daughter Ismene. Tension increases making the end super emotional and touching.
Since I adore "A Thousand Ships", I can't resist comparing both novels. In my view, "The Children of Jocasta" doesn't have the same level of inventive power and literary perfection. But it's an early novel, and it's great that Natalie Haynes made such a quantum leap. I can't wait to read her new book, have no doubt that I'll love it as these two.
Since I adore "A Thousand Ships", I can't resist comparing both novels. In my view, "The Children of Jocasta" doesn't have the same level of inventive power and literary perfection. But it's an early novel, and it's great that Natalie Haynes made such a quantum leap. I can't wait to read her new book, have no doubt that I'll love it as these two.
write_read_rose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
openmypages's review against another edition
5.0
Natalie Haynes is my favorite go-to mythology/historical fiction author. A Thousand Ships is a story that I recommend to anyone asking, what do I read after devouring Madeline Miller? Well, I've got another recommendation that I'm happily adding to my mythology shelf, The Children of Jocasta provides us a story of Thebes in two timelines.
We first meet Ismene who is narrating the story of her family. She tells us of their current travails where her brothers are sharing the ruling of Thebes as king in alternating years. That provides its own friction and strife. She and her mentor Sophon are focused on the importance of documenting the truth of what is happening within the kingdom. Chapters recount the current state of the kingdom and how her family came to rule a generation before. I don't want to give too many details because the reveals of how the tragedies play out are quite beautifully done but if you are familiar with Greek tragedy the stories of Oedipus and Antigone play out throughout the novel.
The anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach builds as you can see each of these characters headed straight for absolute heart-wrenching disaster is Greek tragedy at its best. Check this one out if you like mythological, historical fiction like that of Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint!
We first meet Ismene who is narrating the story of her family. She tells us of their current travails where her brothers are sharing the ruling of Thebes as king in alternating years. That provides its own friction and strife. She and her mentor Sophon are focused on the importance of documenting the truth of what is happening within the kingdom. Chapters recount the current state of the kingdom and how her family came to rule a generation before. I don't want to give too many details because the reveals of how the tragedies play out are quite beautifully done but if you are familiar with Greek tragedy the stories of Oedipus and Antigone play out throughout the novel.
The anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach builds as you can see each of these characters headed straight for absolute heart-wrenching disaster is Greek tragedy at its best. Check this one out if you like mythological, historical fiction like that of Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint!
foxonabook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Grace Bernard discovers that her absentee filthy rich father has rejected her dying mother’s pleas for help, she develops and sets into action a plan for revenge, slowly killing off her father’s family, one by one. However, with only her father left, Grace encounters a massive wrench in her plan -she’s imprisoned for a murder she did not commit.
I had high hopes for this book when the first chapter made the book out to be a dark, witty and entertaining book about a woman seeking revenge. It was clear that we’re not meant to like or really sympathise with Grace, and I quite liked her sarcastic, misanthropic outlook. However, her commentary did at some points drag on a little -I’m all for social and political commentary in books and I know authors enjoy using their characters as mouthpieces for their views, but Grace’s ramblings bordered on insensitive and offensive at points, even for an unlikeable character.
These were easy to overlook because the book was otherwise incredibly entertaining and lighthearted -despite the murderous theme. I was ready to give this four stars too, until I got to the ending… I don’t want to spoil it, but that was an unnecessary twist and spoilt the entire premise of the book.
I had high hopes for this book when the first chapter made the book out to be a dark, witty and entertaining book about a woman seeking revenge. It was clear that we’re not meant to like or really sympathise with Grace, and I quite liked her sarcastic, misanthropic outlook. However, her commentary did at some points drag on a little -I’m all for social and political commentary in books and I know authors enjoy using their characters as mouthpieces for their views, but Grace’s ramblings bordered on insensitive and offensive at points, even for an unlikeable character.
These were easy to overlook because the book was otherwise incredibly entertaining and lighthearted -despite the murderous theme. I was ready to give this four stars too, until I got to the ending… I don’t want to spoil it, but that was an unnecessary twist and spoilt the entire premise of the book.
averymacdonald's review against another edition
3.0
greek fanfic!
i’ve always found Ismene to be a really sympathetic character, and so it was nice to read the story from her POV, especially as she is so often forgotten.
i’ve always found Ismene to be a really sympathetic character, and so it was nice to read the story from her POV, especially as she is so often forgotten.
saswarren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5