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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Been on a Greek mythology kick, so I was excited to pick this one up. I tabbed plenty of spots purely for the sake of acknowledging pretty writing, thinking at some point they might be spots I enjoyed re-reading. But I won’t read it or even touch it again unless I’m in the mood feel overwhelming despair about how women are treated, both in reality and writing.
Shouldn’t a book that’s marked as a feminist retelling have a theme or show growth beyond “yup, women really do be getting punished for men’s actions.”
I don’t think Ariadne herself was a bad character, I just kept waiting for growth that always stayed just out of her reach. Her tale was one tragedy on top of another, with the constant feeling that things were on the verge of looking up, or that she was finding a way to improve her station. Instead it just plummets into even more disheartening and, at times, disturbing new methods of masculine punishment and rage towards women.
Yes, it’s Greek, but I gravitate towards retellings for a reason. This one just wasn’t was I was looking for.
Shouldn’t a book that’s marked as a feminist retelling have a theme or show growth beyond “yup, women really do be getting punished for men’s actions.”
I don’t think Ariadne herself was a bad character, I just kept waiting for growth that always stayed just out of her reach. Her tale was one tragedy on top of another, with the constant feeling that things were on the verge of looking up, or that she was finding a way to improve her station. Instead it just plummets into even more disheartening and, at times, disturbing new methods of masculine punishment and rage towards women.
Yes, it’s Greek, but I gravitate towards retellings for a reason. This one just wasn’t was I was looking for.
4.5 stars. Overall writing was amazing and loved the plot but felt like three stories that didn’t flow/go together. Would read again.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really looking forward to reading this after I had read the masterpiece that is Madeline miller’s Circe, but it really fell short. If had amazing themes about how women are punished for men’s actions, but the execution was poor. It was “women suffer a lot” all the way through. Like I know?? I live it every day?? The ending had me so furious and I wish the story had stuck closer to Ariadne and less about the men around her. For a feminist novel I wish there was more women.
Three stars because I loved it at first. The writing was good and the first part that was only abt the Minotaur was incredible and had me reading day and night.
Three stars because I loved it at first. The writing was good and the first part that was only abt the Minotaur was incredible and had me reading day and night.
Unfortunately this book failed to grab me, and I'm not entirely sure why. I normally love this genre, but something about the story felt rather flat and lifeless. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters, the plot didn't grab me, and the setting seemed dull. I just couldn't seem to find the will to finish this.
A beautiful Greek Mythology retelling. I loved the focus on the women in the hero's stories, giving them the voice in the story, it changes how the see the myths, and the 'achievements' of the hero's.
I also, really appreciated the very nuanced take on the Greek Gods and how they use and abuse the humans of ancient Greece.
I also, really appreciated the very nuanced take on the Greek Gods and how they use and abuse the humans of ancient Greece.
a long-lasting journey following ariadne and phaedra and the way they evolve and change through the years, tinted by men’s ways.
filled with greek mythology references that come across naturally, being fully integrated with the story.
perfectly portrays the different sides of feminity and how they are all condemned in a patriarchal society, no matter what their approach or opinion is.
filled with greek mythology references that come across naturally, being fully integrated with the story.
perfectly portrays the different sides of feminity and how they are all condemned in a patriarchal society, no matter what their approach or opinion is.
Ariadne is a hopeless romantic with a twinge of jealousy. Fucks cows book
It was a good book but the depth of the characters couldn't live up to Circe by Miller. It was supposed to be a feminist retelling but apart from her initial rebellion, Ariadne became a housewife that turned away from things she didn't like... bit dissapointed in that regard.
The writing style and the story itself was great though.
The writing style and the story itself was great though.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes