A review by decafenby
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

dark reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As an avid reader of all things ancient Greek/Roman, The Wolf Den surpassed every expectation I had for it and quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. This novel perfectly balances intricate, careful research with a writing style that feels present and modern. Unlike many of Harper's peers writing about the ancient world, this isn't a myth retelling. Harper's characters can't be found in Homer or Ovid. Instead, they're inspired by the wealth of cultural information available to us through the graffiti preserved in Pompeii. Not only does this choice provide us with a unique historical lens, but its realness also allows Harper to demonstrate just how alike our world is to that of our distant past.

Like other reviewers have mentioned, this is a challenging book in terms of subject matter. Amara, the main character, is an enslaved prostitute who is forced to live and work in a brothel. That's not exactly fun. While subjects discussed in the book (including rape) can be difficult for some readers, I found Harper to write with care. First and foremost, this story is about a woman struggling for freedom. The circumstances of Amara's life, while horrific, are not presented in a way that is either romanticized or overly dark. Amara's life would not have been uncommon in the ancient world, and Harper's narration treats it as such. The Wolf Den uses Amara's circumstances to present an extreme depiction of the challenges ancient women faced, which can at times be painfully similar to the challenges women experience today.
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