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There are currently 26 member reviews
for Ariadne
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Barbara C. (Fountain Hills, AZ)
Ariadne - Greek Mythology Come To Life
I rarely rarely give a book a 5 rating, but Ariadne was a delicious read! The author, Jennifer Saint, brought the gods and their human counterparts to life with compelling prose. Mythology can be daunting and mysterious, but the author writes with such clarity, the heroes and villains came into sharp focus. Ariadne, Phaedra, the Minotaur, Theseus, Dionysus, Hipppolytus, etc could be characters in a soap opera drama. The spitefulness, cruelty and disdain the gods had for mortals and each other was woven throughout the story. I would heartily recommend Ariadne to readers who enjoy a novel with compelling storyline, intriguing characters, and sharp, bright writing. Be prepared to set logic aside and enjoy the ride.
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Kathryn S. (St. Helena Island, SC)
A Delicious Read - Ariadne!
I really loved this book! It took a few chapters before I became hooked, but that is my own fault. Since childhood I have been conversant with Greek gods and heroes. My grandmother was really into Greek and Roman mythology, so as child I became enthralled with stories of gods and heroes. When I started this book, I thirsted for more 'background' so I became bogged down in refresher research, immersing myself in the Greek mythology, following online tangents that led off in all directions. Then something happened...I was suddenly swept away by the story and the characters and the author's delicious writing style. Dionysus in particular, the author brings him to life - all joy, laughter and delight, a loving husband and father to his children. But there is tragedy (as always in Greek literature) an undercurrent of darkness and god-like trickery that led him to freeze a little girl into a (fortunately reversible) statue of gold ( I knew that story well!), and more .... I will not spoil the ending ... read it for yourself. This is a MUST READ for anyone who loves Greek mythology in all of its tragic guises, and wants to be immersed in the lives of heroes and gods.
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Theresa M. (Murphysboro, IL)
Ariandne
Ariandne is a wonderful reimagining of Greek mythology from a woman's viewpoint. Jennifer Saint weaves the stories of Ariandne and her sister Phaedra around the heroes and gods they are related to or encounter. The story gave me a very different and delightful perspective on familiar mythology stories. Saint provides enough background on the different characters in the story that even someone with limited knowledge of Greek mythology can still follow the story easily.
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Laureen S. (Aurora, IL)
Lyrical and compelling
I was mesmerized by not only the writing, but the story itself. It is refreshing to hear about women who were not gods, but mortals who made the gods who they were. This story of two sisters and their lives among the immortals and men often left me with so many emotions and frustrations. There is so much to unpack in this lyrical novel concerning the narrative of womanhood.
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Joan R. (Chicago, IL)
Outstanding novel.
I was swept into this novel's ancient world before I had finished the Prologue and stayed there, mesmerized, until the conclusion. Ariadne and her sister Phaedra, daughters of King Minos, tell their story in prose so beautiful that if borders on poetry. Their story is compelling and unrelenting in its emotional impact as they struggle to live with mighty gods and human men. As their story continues there are moments of joy and love, but always underneath the surface are rumblings of something dark and foreboding like the Minotaur in its labyrinth. The novel's great strength lies in giving voice to many of the women in Greek myths, bringing them out of the background where they have dwelt. It gave me a new and fresh perspective that resonated with its similarity to our times. An outstanding book.
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Katharine P. (Boulder, CO)
The Heroes Were All Women
If you grew up as I did, long after it was considered necessary to learn Greek and Latin to be well educated, you might think, as I did, that you missed out on a huge bit of Western literary background, and feel ill equipped to follow an obscure aside regarding Greeks and gifts, Pandora's box, or the touch of King Midas. On the other hand, all those wars…boring, right? Well it's a new day in the Classics, and the women are taking center stage and redressing their bad reputations. Circe was redeemed by Madeline Miller, the women of Troy by Pat Barker, and now, Ariadne, by Jennifer Saint. You will get the inside story of how, Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete, helped Theseus kill her brother, the Minotaur and, well, look it up if you want the whole story before you read the novel. You'll get to know Theseus: a hero or a jerk? And you'll find out why there are so many paintings of her lying on the beach, alone, or with Dionysus looking lovingly over her. Ever heard of Phaedra? She's Ariadne's brave sister, and you won't believe where she ended up. The book is written formally, as if it were a Greek chorus, telling of wise and wonderful things.
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Deborah W. (Boynton Beach, FL)
What is a Woman's Worth?
You know the stories and yet — from this female perspective — you don't, so this re-imagining of Greek myths grips you and you eagerly turn the pages. You know some of the names of the gods, demi-gods, and mortals (the men: Minos, Theseus, Dionysus); vaguely remember others (the women: Ariadne, Phaedra, Medusa); and still others are completely unknown or long forgotten (Pasiphae). Familiar gods make cameo appearances and minor characters in the myths take center stage. The title is "Ariadne," but some of the story belongs to her mother and even more to her sister. Women's plight, women's power (or lack thereof), women's cunning, women's heroism, women's solidarity, women's woes, childbirth, wifedom, motherhood — this book contains them all and puts women in the forefront of the stories we thought we knew but now know we don't. Fans of "Circe" by Madeline Miller will find this a worthy companion, and book clubs will find much to discuss here.
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