A review by sarahbroccoli
Elektra by Jennifer Saint

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the best book I have read in a long time

I think a lot of the people who have reviewed this book before me are missing the point that Elektra is who the ~Electra complex~ was named after: the idea that daughters compete with their mothers for their father’s attention and affection. Sound kinda sexist? Absolutely, that’s because it is. Elektra is totally acting on internalized misogyny and rage toward her mother for seeking vengeance against Agamemnon, even though Agamemnon is the one who committed such a terrible act
(and murdered her sister!!)
Also, Elektra holds on to this rage and bitterness throughout the duration of the book, so of course she’s unlikeable. I don’t think we are meant to like Elektra. At the same time, I think to some extent her anger and hurt is justified; she lost her father and her mother has removed herself from her life. That’s part of the beauty of this book, it made me feel for both Clymenestra and Elektra, just to different extents.

Saint does SUCH a great job of showcasing the nuances of family relationships, female rage, grief, and the consequences of seeking revenge. It’s also worth mentioning that Saint does portray the ways that women CAN support and empathize with each other (I.e. the relationship between Clymenestra and Cassandra), even though Elektra clearly does not do that.

Of course besides the content, the prose was beautiful. I enjoyed every second of reading this book!
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