A review by shay_talksbooks
Ithaca by Claire North

challenging funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

Dropping into Ithaca with Penelope whilst Odysseus is 'lost at sea'/on his quest (actually holed up with Calypso on Ogygia), following the politics of the court and all the drama that unfolds upon the island.

I've read a lot about Helen, Clytemnestra & Elektra, but very little about Penelope so this filled in a few gaps in my Greek mythology knowledge!

I really enjoyed this one, although it did take me a while to get into the narration. The story is told by Hera and, at the beginning, the humour felt a bit forced and like the author was constantly trying to be funny instead of just telling the story, but at some point that changed for me and I began to really love and appreciate Hera's snarky comments. Loved it, and will definitely read the rest of the trilogy.

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