Scan barcode
A review by girlnextshore
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
3.0
I wanted to love this as much as I love the physical book (hardbound Waterstones special signed edition with beautiful end papers) but then I never judge a book by its cover. I was fairly excited to read a Greek re-telling that doesn't centre around the Trojan War.
The first part was quick-paced, focusing on Ariadne's childhood, her involvement with the Athenian escape, and her early years of exile. I appreciate this part needed some character building but it fell a bit short for me. I had hoped to read more of her conflicted relationship with her brother, the Minotaur, but what you get is a an exploration of her ambitious love for Theseus. And even that part felt like a Cliff’s Notes version.
The second and third parts dragged a little bit, but I appreciate the focus towards both Ariadne's and Phaedra's perspectives. It felt like a nurture vs nature story, of how such seemingly similar sisters have become two different people.
The final part felt a bit... rushed, although the last chapter and the epilogue are both beautifully written.
I do like how the novel waved the flag towards remembering how women have suffered under a man's pride and a man's quick hold to war. I felt the author could have made both Cretan sisters a bit more empowered and assertive; Ariadne in exile felt like she depended so much on Dionysus and the fates that be. In this retelling I was hoping for her to have had at least a little bit of bite in strength instead of being rather... passive. So seemingly a missed opportunity there, but entertaining enough.
The first part was quick-paced, focusing on Ariadne's childhood, her involvement with the Athenian escape, and her early years of exile. I appreciate this part needed some character building but it fell a bit short for me. I had hoped to read more of her conflicted relationship with her brother, the Minotaur, but what you get is a an exploration of her ambitious love for Theseus. And even that part felt like a Cliff’s Notes version.
The second and third parts dragged a little bit, but I appreciate the focus towards both Ariadne's and Phaedra's perspectives. It felt like a nurture vs nature story, of how such seemingly similar sisters have become two different people.
The final part felt a bit... rushed, although the last chapter and the epilogue are both beautifully written.
I do like how the novel waved the flag towards remembering how women have suffered under a man's pride and a man's quick hold to war. I felt the author could have made both Cretan sisters a bit more empowered and assertive; Ariadne in exile felt like she depended so much on Dionysus and the fates that be. In this retelling I was hoping for her to have had at least a little bit of bite in strength instead of being rather... passive. So seemingly a missed opportunity there, but entertaining enough.