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There are currently 18 member reviews
for Clytemnestra
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Amy W. (Annapolis, MD)
Great Story
I really enjoyed this book, it was not a book you could skim through as there was important information on every page. It took me a while to read, but the story was so interesting. I knew a few of the Greek mythology stories but I had never heard of Clytemnestra, and I knew little of the women of Sparta. It was fascinating to read the story of Helen through a different perspective, and learn about the strength and determination of her sister. I highly recommend this book.
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Melissa U. (Jackson, NJ)
Strong women in mythology
I've been reading a lot of Greek mythology retellings recently, and this book stands up with the best. Clytemnestra is portrayed as a smart, strong, and courageous woman, who persevered despite all the horrible things that happened to her -- the death of her first husband, the death of children, the abduction of her sister. I really enjoyed reading her side of the story, and seeing her portrayed as more than just the vengeful wife of Agamemnon.
Casati did a phenomenal job of bringing Clytemnestra to life.
I'm loving all the recent books showing the part of the story that belongs to the women behind the Greek legends. Clytemnestra, as portrayed by Homer, Aeschylus, Euripedes, et. al. was really nothing more than an angry wife of a Greek hero. It's interesting to read more about her, and get the picture of a much more complex and powerful woman.
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Rita H. (Centennial, CO)
A Woman of Determination
Clytemnestra is well-portrayed in this novel as a woman of physical and mental strength, the prized traits of Spartan men and women. This book is full of bloodshed, murder, treachery, pride, and revenge. Love is there somewhere but is frequently something that many characters see as a weakness, This is a story based upon Greek mythology and Greek history and is a fascinating read. I heartily recommend it, especially, if Greek mythology is not your strongvpoint.
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Jodi S. (Goldens Bridge, NY)
Great Greek Mythology
Clytemnestra is the story of a Greek princess/queen, the tragedy and happiness of her life. I enjoy reading Greek mythology, but do not know much about it, except for the major stories. It was fun to read about some of the well-known "major players" as minor characters in Clytemnestra's story, and to read more about life in ancient Greek times.
Clytemnestra's story is fascinating. She is a princess, whose sister is called the most beautiful woman in Greece. She is her father's favorite, yet he plots against her happiness to ensure his own power. She is strong, yet has only as much power as a woman can at that time. She is incredibly protective of her siblings and children, but is unable to save them. Being a woman in ancient Greece could not have been easy, even for a princess or a queen, and Clytemnestra had to make some difficult decisions in her lifetime, many of which were not well-regarded by those she cared about.
I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it highly, especially to anyone who likes to read mythology.
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Lynne L. (Tamarac, FL)
Clytemnestra, a modern look and an ancient icon.
For a debut novel, Costanza Casatis's Clytemnestra is admirably professional. With skillful character development, fastidious research and an eye to a great story with ancient roots, Ms. Casatsis taps into a trendy feminist spin on the difficulty of being a strong and ambitious woman in a man's world.
Daughter of a king, wife of two kings, trained as a warrior, helpless as a mother to save the ones she loves, and remembered as a usurper and murderess, Clytemnestra begs for a thoughtfully told revisionist look at who she may have been if she could have told her own story. Thousands of years ago, great Classical writers of ancient Greece, all men, left a blood-soaked image of Clytemnestra, the wife and assassin of Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan War. Casatis shines a modern light on the woman behind the legend and weaves a page-turning novel that introduces or reintroduces readers to myths and legends we may have been taking at face value for eons.
I am pleased to have been chosen as an early reader of this fascinating novel.
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Teresa S. (Denton, TX)
Sweeping story of Clytemnestra
Experiencing Clytemnestra from youth to adulthood gives a sweeping view of this amazingly complex character. If you enjoy strongly written females who navigate challenging situations, you will absolutely love Casati's novel. There is so much to enjoy and engage readers from start to finish. This novel shows a woman who is willing to make sacrifices for what she wants and will stop at nothing to gain the power she desires. I found myself turning the pages faster and faster as the book progressed. I became even more engrossed and wanted to know how this story would end.
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Christine P. (Essex Junction, VT)
Clytemnestra
I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary retelling of the story of one of Greek Mythology's most brutal female Gods and had a hard time putting the book down. The author looks at Clytemnestra as a mother and sister and how that affected her role as a queen and leader of her people. The story seemed real and believable, and I felt vested in her life and happiness. I was angry and appalled, and thoroughly engaged and entertained until the very end. I highly recommend this book for book groups. Lots of possibilities for great discussions.
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