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A review by libraryofaphrodite
House of Odysseus by Claire North
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Narrated by Aphrodite, House of Odysseus follows the story of the women of Greek epic and tragedy.
Penelope is besieged by suitors, her husband Odysseus still some time from returning and her son, Telemachus, searching for news of him.
When Elektra and her brother, Orestes, arrive seeking help with his illness, Penelope and her band of women set about ensuring that Menelaus of Sparta doesn't take Orestes' throne.
This was a wonderfully lyrical reimagining of myth - the prose excellently suited to the original source material. At times there were some more modern turns of phrase and Aphrodite's character makes her domain very clear. There was some lovely vocabulary used throughout, again very fitting for something inspired by epic.
I hadn't read Ithaca before this and could easily dive straight in - the dramatis personae was helpful in filling in a few blanks. I will, however, be adding Ithaca to my TBR so that I can continue the story.
I really appreciated the female focus of the story, as well as the interaction between the mortal and divine. This too, has a female lense.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys myth retellings and wants to hear more from the female characters of the these stories.
Please do check the content warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC in return for an honest opinion.
Penelope is besieged by suitors, her husband Odysseus still some time from returning and her son, Telemachus, searching for news of him.
When Elektra and her brother, Orestes, arrive seeking help with his illness, Penelope and her band of women set about ensuring that Menelaus of Sparta doesn't take Orestes' throne.
This was a wonderfully lyrical reimagining of myth - the prose excellently suited to the original source material. At times there were some more modern turns of phrase and Aphrodite's character makes her domain very clear. There was some lovely vocabulary used throughout, again very fitting for something inspired by epic.
I hadn't read Ithaca before this and could easily dive straight in - the dramatis personae was helpful in filling in a few blanks. I will, however, be adding Ithaca to my TBR so that I can continue the story.
I really appreciated the female focus of the story, as well as the interaction between the mortal and divine. This too, has a female lense.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys myth retellings and wants to hear more from the female characters of the these stories.
Please do check the content warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC in return for an honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: War