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charlottekazha 's review for:
Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint
This book makes a beautiful statement on the inherent misogyny and victimization of women throughout ancient greek mythology and culture. It's enthralling, poetically written, and heart wrenching, but readers with unrealistic expectations will be (rightfully) disappointed.
Many approach the story (hearing that it's a feminist retelling) and automatically expect the characters and premise to change. In reality, Jennifer Saint stays true to the myth and, instead, powerfully highlights the numerous offenses and inequalities placed on women. The point of the novel is that women should be afforded equal importance, agency, and choice. The author expertly shapes salient scenes of Ariadne's story to demonstrate this inequity and how men's unjustified whims often victimize women. Ariadne can choose to be a mother and live a peaceful life, just as her sister can choose to be a powerful queen. Basically, the novel uses a beloved myth to emphasize the inequities and the importance of letting women have agency-however they decide to use it.
There are many variations of the Ariadne/Theseus/Dionysus myth, which the author spins into a congruous story. The ending, however heartbreaking it may be, only serves to further illustrate her point. When unreasonably empowered, people transform to the worst, most selfish, and arrogant versions of themselves. In this case, the empowerment of men and gods alike victimize women and the innocent. Yes, it'd be lovely for the ending to be sweet and satisfying, but the entire novel's message would be lost. All in all, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint was a lyrical and meaningful retelling with a powerful message (if you care to accept it).
Many approach the story (hearing that it's a feminist retelling) and automatically expect the characters and premise to change. In reality, Jennifer Saint stays true to the myth and, instead, powerfully highlights the numerous offenses and inequalities placed on women. The point of the novel is that women should be afforded equal importance, agency, and choice. The author expertly shapes salient scenes of Ariadne's story to demonstrate this inequity and how men's unjustified whims often victimize women. Ariadne can choose to be a mother and live a peaceful life, just as her sister can choose to be a powerful queen. Basically, the novel uses a beloved myth to emphasize the inequities and the importance of letting women have agency-however they decide to use it.
There are many variations of the Ariadne/Theseus/Dionysus myth, which the author spins into a congruous story. The ending, however heartbreaking it may be, only serves to further illustrate her point. When unreasonably empowered, people transform to the worst, most selfish, and arrogant versions of themselves. In this case, the empowerment of men and gods alike victimize women and the innocent. Yes, it'd be lovely for the ending to be sweet and satisfying, but the entire novel's message would be lost. All in all, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint was a lyrical and meaningful retelling with a powerful message (if you care to accept it).