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A review by mariannekive
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"the great crests of ivy weighed heavy on the mast and the white-tipped waves sparkled. -------- slipped his hand into mine"
I was disappointed with this book- it had been so built up for me and told to be comparable to Madeline Millers song of Achilles but perhaps it was this contrast that disappointed me. I was promised a feminist retelling and I am unsure if I received that. There was little interest after the first few chapters and I fought through the middle chapters with the promise that the end would be outstanding. The ending did bring tears to my eyes- however, it was a lot of work to get to this ending.
minor
the inclusion of the topic of postpartum depression was refreshing to read, it is not often this is covered in books and it is something that is very important to learn and understand.
minor
the inclusion of the topic of postpartum depression was refreshing to read, it is not often this is covered in books and it is something that is very important to learn and understand.
the analysis:
the writing:
the writing was as promised, lyrical and descriptive, it is wonderful and captivating - a lot of time and precision has been put into each word - this Saint can not be faulted for.
the plot:
the plot is of course open and foreseeing to anyone who is acquainted with the stories of Greek mythology, including that of the story of Theseus and the minotaur. Saint certainly added her own twist to this story - adding certain things that have either never been brought to my attention or are her own twist to the story.
it is amazing that Saint could pull so much from such a small myth that is often only centred around the hero, Theseus.
the feminism: (the themes)
"of the feminist retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the minotaur"
there was, undeniably, a feminist centring to this book - however, if you become interested, or are interested in greek mythology it is known that Dionysus is possibly one of the more likeable gods. he did not cheat on his wife, he did not hurt his wife, he loved his wife- He was not portrayed this way by Saint.
I felt as if Saint was pushing towards the side of feminism that makes people think that we want men to be less than women the idea that we don't need men, that they are all rude and cast from the same mould that they cannot be trusted.
NOT ALL FEMINISTS BELIEVE THIS.
this is the main reason that this book was not rated extremely high. Just because the two main characters are females that learn to hate men- does NOT make this a feminist retelling.
I don't know if I miss read this but this was my view on the way it was written.
the writing was as promised, lyrical and descriptive, it is wonderful and captivating - a lot of time and precision has been put into each word - this Saint can not be faulted for.
the plot:
the plot is of course open and foreseeing to anyone who is acquainted with the stories of Greek mythology, including that of the story of Theseus and the minotaur. Saint certainly added her own twist to this story - adding certain things that have either never been brought to my attention or are her own twist to the story.
it is amazing that Saint could pull so much from such a small myth that is often only centred around the hero, Theseus.
the feminism: (the themes)
"of the feminist retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the minotaur"
there was, undeniably, a feminist centring to this book - however, if you become interested, or are interested in greek mythology it is known that Dionysus is possibly one of the more likeable gods. he did not cheat on his wife, he did not hurt his wife, he loved his wife- He was not portrayed this way by Saint.
I felt as if Saint was pushing towards the side of feminism that makes people think that we want men to be less than women the idea that we don't need men, that they are all rude and cast from the same mould that they cannot be trusted.
NOT ALL FEMINISTS BELIEVE THIS.
this is the main reason that this book was not rated extremely high. Just because the two main characters are females that learn to hate men- does NOT make this a feminist retelling.
I don't know if I miss read this but this was my view on the way it was written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide