Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Jennifer Saint has elevated the narrative of Atalanta's story in Greek Mythology, like patches into a fabric that was left with holes and its designs covered by dirt from years of neglect. Atalanta at first may be the archetype feminist character of trying to 'even the playing field' by joining the Argonauts dominated by men. But the progression of her story, through the series of mythological stories that Saint has cleverly woven together, tells us that Atalanta comes to the point of realization she does not want to be compared and put in the same level as any of the Greek heroes as Heracles or Jason or even the male Gods. She embraces the new reality that she is her own greatness, she has established a playing field of her own. And that is liberation of both her character, her narrative, and her role as a woman in ancient Greek society.
I love how both sides of Atalanta's world, as a human in the patriarchial society of ancient Greece, and in the so called haven of nymphs under Artemis' care, were more or less both sides of the same coin for Atalanta and her pursuit of independent freedom without formed values or authoritarian figures (e.g. her king-father Ieasus or even Artemis herself) intervening with her life goal. Jennifer Saint's depiction of Artemis as also being ruthless as any of the gods and goddesses of Olympus she claims to isolate from is witty in a sense that she, too, are like the gods who cannot see reason to simply banish women, the nymphs who were victims of rape and sexual assault, such was what happened with the nymph Callisto, and her title as protector of women may not be as faithful, at least by modern world standards.
It was in this conflict that Atalanta internalised there was more to her life in the woods and beyond the protection of Artemis that may be stifling and unfair; far from the haven it was often depicted in other stories. Though this book took me a bit to warm up compared with Ariadne, but Atalanta's discovery of her self and of the world beyond the forest was refreshing. Though she was ignorant of the land of man in ancient Greek civilisation, but she was not naive and even bold. She was courageous and the prose easily depicts her compassion, her sense of humanity for someone who did not grow up around humans. Atalanta's humanity may be deemed as a weakness. But this was her strength and a defining feature of her ability to be a hunter and a woman.
Saint's take on Atalanta's story is empowering albeit in unconventional ways. Atalanta may not have returned to the forest as she originally intended or remain chaste and solitary. But she proved her resilience to adapt and to also expand her horizons; venturing to more distant opportunities that she was able to comprehend that she finally now has more agency than ever to explore and live her life as she wishes to.
A wonderful book that I am glad to have read to warm up my brain and prepare to get back into university work.
I love how both sides of Atalanta's world, as a human in the patriarchial society of ancient Greece, and in the so called haven of nymphs under Artemis' care, were more or less both sides of the same coin for Atalanta and her pursuit of independent freedom without formed values or authoritarian figures (e.g. her king-father Ieasus or even Artemis herself) intervening with her life goal. Jennifer Saint's depiction of Artemis as also being ruthless as any of the gods and goddesses of Olympus she claims to isolate from is witty in a sense that she, too, are like the gods who cannot see reason to simply banish women, the nymphs who were victims of rape and sexual assault, such was what happened with the nymph Callisto, and her title as protector of women may not be as faithful, at least by modern world standards.
It was in this conflict that Atalanta internalised there was more to her life in the woods and beyond the protection of Artemis that may be stifling and unfair; far from the haven it was often depicted in other stories. Though this book took me a bit to warm up compared with Ariadne, but Atalanta's discovery of her self and of the world beyond the forest was refreshing. Though she was ignorant of the land of man in ancient Greek civilisation, but she was not naive and even bold. She was courageous and the prose easily depicts her compassion, her sense of humanity for someone who did not grow up around humans. Atalanta's humanity may be deemed as a weakness. But this was her strength and a defining feature of her ability to be a hunter and a woman.
Saint's take on Atalanta's story is empowering albeit in unconventional ways. Atalanta may not have returned to the forest as she originally intended or remain chaste and solitary. But she proved her resilience to adapt and to also expand her horizons; venturing to more distant opportunities that she was able to comprehend that she finally now has more agency than ever to explore and live her life as she wishes to.
A wonderful book that I am glad to have read to warm up my brain and prepare to get back into university work.
I liked this book more than I thought I would. I think Jennifer Saint's writing improved between writing Ariadne and this book, and I don't dislike the ending nearly as much. I enjoyed the focus on the Argonauts' journey and how it wasn't what everyone expected. I really enjoyed the rivalry with Peleus and the criticism of his marriage to the Oceanid Thetis. It's a great parallel to examine how the heroes view marriage, even Meleager, and how Atalanta comes to view marriage through her connection to Hippomenes.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy
would have loved a deeper insight into atalanta. i really disliked her relationship with men and how easy she went into them even though all she had known in her life was a life with artemis’ rules. she felt very passive. loved the first 80ish pages of life in the forest and the nymphs
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was so interesting! I’m happy I read it after Circe because I could understand more of the elements of mythology that were featured.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated