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withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
There were definitely parts I liked about this book! I thought the development of Orestes’ character was really interesting, how he is only ever wanted when he’s useful for something and he’s often tasked with doing the dirty work, and how that affects his perception of himself and the world. I also really liked the complex relationship between Clytemnestra and Electra, who are two characters with similar temperaments but very different beliefs and goals, and I wish we spent more time in their POVs.
Things I didn’t like so much? I thought that the pacing and the timeline was all over the place - it didn’t feel like ten years passed while Agamemnon was at war, and it was very unclear just how old Orestes is after everything happens to him, he is still portrayed as being very young after so many years have presumably passed. There is a lot of divergence from the original stories, which I typically wouldn’t mind with retellings, but I did mind the fact that Pylades is completely erased from the story :( according to Aristophanes the Grammarian Pylades is the best character in the myth, you can’t just get rid of him! I also just felt like there wasn’t any satisfying conclusion, the book just… ended.
Overall, the prose is lovely and the characters are developed and interesting, some parts of the book are very dark so check content warnings before reading. I just don’t think this is a book I’m going to be thinking about for weeks afterwards.
Things I didn’t like so much? I thought that the pacing and the timeline was all over the place - it didn’t feel like ten years passed while Agamemnon was at war, and it was very unclear just how old Orestes is after everything happens to him, he is still portrayed as being very young after so many years have presumably passed. There is a lot of divergence from the original stories, which I typically wouldn’t mind with retellings, but I did mind the fact that Pylades is completely erased from the story :( according to Aristophanes the Grammarian Pylades is the best character in the myth, you can’t just get rid of him! I also just felt like there wasn’t any satisfying conclusion, the book just… ended.
Overall, the prose is lovely and the characters are developed and interesting, some parts of the book are very dark so check content warnings before reading. I just don’t think this is a book I’m going to be thinking about for weeks afterwards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, and Violence
srm's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I love watching this story unfold in such close narration from these three characters-- Clytemnestra, Elektra, and especially Orestes. Toibin's writing is lovely. I really wanted the story to just keep going and going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and War
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