A review by skconaghan
House of Odysseus by Claire North

adventurous emotional informative lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I savoured this novel as told in the voice of Aphrodite. That should say about enough as to the tone, and it was delightfully crass and suggestive (yes, delightfully so, as compared with cheap-crass, this was a bared toe over the line in the way only Aphrodite could get away with in polite society). The goddess of love gives us her seductive retelling of what happens on Ithaca in the decade after Troy falls and Odysseus is still lost at sea leaving Penelope, his not yet widow waiting wife to host a slew of unwanted potential suitors.

Claire North embodies this character of Aphrodite with aplomb, brings her lascivious perspective to life as she details the winks and gestures and inner desires of every character she brushes past, evoking blushing giggles despite the solemnity of the twisted tale. 

But what a tale.

The myths of the Greeks continue to be a timeless favourite, and Claire North’s second in the trilogy of Penelope is all we hoped for. As Hera related the first part of the tale, I anticipate the final song will be sung by Athena… maybe Artemis(?), but whether it be the Virgin Hunter or the Virgin Warrior, I’m looking forward to The Last Song of Penelope.