A review by herasrevenge88
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed this book and wrote down a lot of quotes. I love Greek mythology and retellings, but some thing in the pacing of this book, made certain parts of it harder to get through than others. What got me through the slow parts is the fact that I already know the story of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. I am unsure if anyone who is unfamiliar with their story would be as willing to push through the slow parts of the story. However, I do feel that the writing is very well done. I was cheering Clytemnestra on even while I recoiled at some of her antics. The author does an amazing job of painting, the portrait of an actual woman not just a character of legend. Clytemnestra is flawed, but she also is very relatable and very human. I finish this book feeling like I would have probably done exactly what she had done had I lived her life and experienced these things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual content, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Animal death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Alcoholism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pedophilia, Slavery, Toxic relationship, War, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, and Infidelity