Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

26 reviews

dreamitallaway's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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alice_underland's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book made me cry so much
I already knew the story of Clytemnestra going into it and Costanza Casati was able to bring so much more depth to the main character. 

Whether you’ve read the play and read a retelling or simply wanted to read about a complex and strong women character, look no further. Casanti does an amazing job of expanding on Clytenmstra’s life and of her family.
I looked forward to what books this amazing author had to bring.

I cannot state how much I cried, I normally rip through books in a day or two, but this book I had to put down and simply let my tears escape. Even before the tragedies occurred such as Iphigenia’s death i would weep. I felt like this book was written knowing that I would know what was to come and still rip the rug from beneath my feet.

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fragrant_stars's review

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Another book I could hardly bear to put down! I loved the writing style, and I really couldn't help but root for the main character. As a lover of Greek mythology I had some idea of how this story would unfold already, and this version of events didn't disappoint. The ending was a little more open than I'd have liked, but overall satisfying.

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celery's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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beanformation's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-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

4.75


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bex4dayz's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark 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

4.0


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phantomgecko's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced
  • 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

Hoo boy, Clytemnestra's whole story is so frustrating. Like, her story was written a few thousand years ago, and the novel follows the important plot points. It's an exasperating experience to read a story where you know what's going to happen next not because it's predictable but because you've already heard the story before. But the novel has nuance and emotion and motivation and feeling not included in the original myth.

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. 

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kingsteph's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • 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


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mpbookreviews's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced
  • 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


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savvylit's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

"Gods do not care about us. They have other concerns. That is why you should never live in the shadow of their anger. It is men you must fear. It is men who will be angry with you if you rise too high, if you are too much loved. The stronger you are, the more they will try to take you down."

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.

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