Scan barcode
A review by naomi_marshall_murray
Ithaca by Claire North
4.0
At first, I was afraid I didn't know enough about greek mythology for this book.. but that feeling quickly dispersed.
If your knowledge of Greek Mythology ends as The Song of Achilles (as mine did) you may feel a little confused at first... but stick with it! ITHACA takes place long after the battle of Troy.
Whilst the men left, the women survived.. and arguably, they thrived.
Now Penelope, queen of Ithaca, wife of Odysseus is being pursued to take a new husband, to forge a new king. due to ongoing raids and thieves attacking Ithaca and the neighbouring islands. but to play the long game is Penelope's plan, and for now; it might just work. A women does not require men to protect her, when she has other women.
I truly enjoyed this retelling of Penelope, and found it to be a truly feminist tale. Whilst we so often are faced with the men of Greece, we are faced with many of the strong women who stand behind them; in their shadows, but that keep them strong.
This book has reignited my love for Greek Mythology, with the books narrative being provided by Hera - the Goddess of mothers and wives, truly the mother of mothers. Her anecdotes and snarky side comments are welcome, whilst also watching her, watch over the women and aiding them where she can, quietly, so her self-proclaimed Husband-Brother (Zeus) may not notice her meddling.
"When I undo a man, he will not know to curse my name on his way to Hades."
Alongside Hera & Zeus, we also hear mention of many of the Gods & Goddesses of Olympia, with appearances from Artemis & Athena, we also hear of Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Hermes, Ares amongst others.
For fans of Madeline Miller's Galatea - this is a tale of Mother's. Mothers of kings, princes, sons, cities, countries. Mother's of mothers. This is the tale of the three queens of Greece. Penelope of Ithaca, Helen of Troy & Clytemnestra of Mycenae.
However, it does not only involve these three women and like many Greek retellings it does cover a large array of characters, so be prepared for lots of names to get used to, if this is a less well-read experience of Greek mythology!
I eagerly await the sequel - and cannot wait to dive into this retelling further!
This was my first book by Claire North and I am excited to check out her Sci Fi offerings that I have heard *so much* about!
Thank you, to Orbit Books UK (LBBG Publishers) for the finished copy of this book to review, it is gorgeous and it's story was beautiful.
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault/R*pe (not entirely explicit on page), forced pregnancy, Miscarriage, Violence, Murder
If your knowledge of Greek Mythology ends as The Song of Achilles (as mine did) you may feel a little confused at first... but stick with it! ITHACA takes place long after the battle of Troy.
Whilst the men left, the women survived.. and arguably, they thrived.
Now Penelope, queen of Ithaca, wife of Odysseus is being pursued to take a new husband, to forge a new king. due to ongoing raids and thieves attacking Ithaca and the neighbouring islands. but to play the long game is Penelope's plan, and for now; it might just work. A women does not require men to protect her, when she has other women.
I truly enjoyed this retelling of Penelope, and found it to be a truly feminist tale. Whilst we so often are faced with the men of Greece, we are faced with many of the strong women who stand behind them; in their shadows, but that keep them strong.
This book has reignited my love for Greek Mythology, with the books narrative being provided by Hera - the Goddess of mothers and wives, truly the mother of mothers. Her anecdotes and snarky side comments are welcome, whilst also watching her, watch over the women and aiding them where she can, quietly, so her self-proclaimed Husband-Brother (Zeus) may not notice her meddling.
"When I undo a man, he will not know to curse my name on his way to Hades."
Alongside Hera & Zeus, we also hear mention of many of the Gods & Goddesses of Olympia, with appearances from Artemis & Athena, we also hear of Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Hermes, Ares amongst others.
For fans of Madeline Miller's Galatea - this is a tale of Mother's. Mothers of kings, princes, sons, cities, countries. Mother's of mothers. This is the tale of the three queens of Greece. Penelope of Ithaca, Helen of Troy & Clytemnestra of Mycenae.
However, it does not only involve these three women and like many Greek retellings it does cover a large array of characters, so be prepared for lots of names to get used to, if this is a less well-read experience of Greek mythology!
I eagerly await the sequel - and cannot wait to dive into this retelling further!
This was my first book by Claire North and I am excited to check out her Sci Fi offerings that I have heard *so much* about!
Thank you, to Orbit Books UK (LBBG Publishers) for the finished copy of this book to review, it is gorgeous and it's story was beautiful.
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault/R*pe (not entirely explicit on page), forced pregnancy, Miscarriage, Violence, Murder