Reviews

Clytemnestra is probably my favourite character from Greek Tragedy, so I've read a lot of retellings of her story.

At first, I wasn't sure about how Hannah Lynn had interpreted Clytemnestra's voice but I quickly became enamoured with this take on the story.

I really appreciated how this version of Clytemnestra doesn't forget her Spartan roots (as has been the case in other retellings). She trains with her children and Aegisthus - making a point of her aversion to the loom, which sets her apart from the likes of Penelope. I really enjoyed how training Electra in combat was the start of the fractured relationship between mother and daughter. Electra certainly inherited the Spartan mindset and is thoroughly uncompromising in her values...also making her thoroughly unlikeable (I dislike pretty much all versions of Elektra - anyone who tries to defend Agamemnon is a red flag to me).

This retelling arguably best captures Clytemnestra's justifications for her actions - everything she has lost at the hands of her husband and her determination to ensure it never happens again. What surprised me was that even Orestes could understand her actions and was reluctant to fulfill his god-mandated order to avenger his despicable father. Most versions of Orestes I've read are thoroughly taken in by Elektra's mindset and are keen to carry out their vengeance. This Orestes is far more complicated (am also glad the author agrees Orestes was definitely gay). I need an entire book about his relationship with Pylades.

Ultimately, the blame for Clytemnestra's death falls at the door of the archaic and misogynistic rule that a father must be avenged but not a mother. I loved how Orestes' trial threw light on the absurdit notion that fathers must be avenged no matter their moral character, but a mother who only ever sought to protect her children doesn't get justice.

Overall, a refreshing take and am glad the mission to vondicate Clytemnestra in modern literature continues.

crescentwolf's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

Second half focusing on Orestes was more interesting, likely because I've already read 2 other books about Clytemnestra.

robinkaye's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

spaceykate's review

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4.0

Enjoyable retelling of the Greek myth, focused on Clytemnestra and near the end, Orestes. Too often the stories of Agamemnon, Achilles, Elektra, and Cassandra are told in relation to this plot. It was refreshing to read a different perspective.

shay43geek's review

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

bookworm_bobbie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

claralivesinbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this version of Clytemnestra's myth. I didn't really like the representation of the gods (they seemed way too merciful for my taste), but I loved the characters and their complexities. As always, Lynn always delivers.

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