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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Slavery