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Critics' Opinion:
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First Published:
May 2023, 448 pages
Paperback:
Mar 2024, 450 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse First Impression Reviewers
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Madeline Miller's Circe meets Cersei Lannister in a stunning debut following Clytemnestra, the most notorious heroine of the ancient world and the events that forged her into the legendary queen.
As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best...
You were born to a king, but you marry a tyrant. You stand by helplessly as he sacrifices your child to placate the gods. You watch him wage war on a foreign shore, and you comfort yourself with violent thoughts of your own. Because this was not the first offence against you. This was not the life you ever deserved. And this will not be your undoing. Slowly, you plot.
But when your husband returns in triumph, you become a woman with a choice.
Acceptance or vengeance, infamy follows both. So, you bide your time and force the gods' hands in the game of retribution. For you understood something long ago that the others never did.
If power isn't given to you, you have to take it for yourself.
A blazing novel set in the world of Ancient Greece for fans of Jennifer Saint and Natalie Haynes, this is a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred, love, and of an unforgettable Queen who fiercely dealt out death to those who wronged her.
A King
Every time a stranger arrives in Sparta, the palace turns into a house of whispers. News travels as fast as sea breeze and the servants make every surface shine like gold. In the late afternoon, when the light is thinning and the air scented, they call Clytemnestra for her cleansing. "An important man will be here for dinner," they twitter.
"A warrior?" asks Clytemnestra, as they walk toward the baths in the darkness of the corridor. Her ankle hurts less every day, and soon she will be able to run and exercise again.
"A king," they say. "Or that is what we heard."
In the bathroom, Helen is already cleaning herself in the painted clay bath, the old wounds on her arms dressed with herbs. Her face is smooth, luminous again. Only one bruise remains, on her left cheek, where the bone was broken. Two more tubs are ready beside her, filled to the brim with water, and behind them an old servant woman is preparing soap. It is made from olives, and it smells rich and fruity.
"Have ...
Here are some of the comments posted about Clytemnestra.
You can see the full discussion here.
Aegisthus tells Clytemnestra that "Sometimes it is better to bleed than to feel nothing at all." What's your take on this statement, and do you agree or disagree?
I find it difficult to define Aegisthus's character, since he seems to be a foil for Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, but then he says "it's better to bleed than to feel nothing." He's held in contempt by the House of Atreus, the ... - joannej
Are you familiar with any of the myths that are presented in this novel? Were any told differently than you remember?
I was familiar with the major stories surrounding heroes and gods. I enjoyed the modern perspective that this novel took. Seeing through Clytemnestra's eyes is completely lacking in the classic texts, where there is no sense of human agency. ... - deeh
Clytemnestra has been portrayed by history as an evil queen. How does the author question that role?
Prior to reading this book, I had never really questioned that Clytemnestra was "evil." It was so interesting to see that there were reasons for her actions. I appreciated that the author added potential reasons for Clytemnestra's ... - deed
Clytemnestra thinks that queens are "either hated or forgotten." Do you think she's correct about how history treats powerful women?
Queen Elizabeth 1 comes to mind as a powerful queen who devoted her life to her people: she refused to follow her sister ---Bloody Mary---in making Catholicism Britain's religion because her people didn't want it, and she never ... - joannej
Do you believe Clytemnestra had another option that would have been preferable to marrying Agamemnon?
If I were Clytemnestra I would have done my best to kill him and commit suicide. This is myth and the characters motivations are not realistic but it is beyond me how a woman could live with and have 4 children by Agamemnon. The monster who murdered ... - linnie
Clytemnestra, as portrayed by Homer, Aeschylus, Euripides, 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 (Melissa U). 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 invested 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 (Christine P)...continued
Full Review
(590 words)
(Reviewed by BookBrowse First Impression Reviewers).
Annie Garthwaite, acclaimed author of Cecily
Clytemnestra redefines the retelling genre with a heroine who, instead of enduring suffering, avenges it. Complex characters, stylish writing and a glimpse into the heart of one of history's most reviled women – Casati's Clytemnestra is a self-determined warrior queen. Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne and Elektra
Crackles with vivid fury, passion and strength. A powerful, thought-provoking portrayal of a fascinating and complicated woman framed in beautiful prose. I loved it. Liz Michalski, author of Darling Girl
Powerful and sympathetic, Clytemnestra shines a light on Helen of Troy's overshadowed sister. Crafted with page-turning suspense, Casati spins a mesmerizing story of an ambitious warrior queen who must use all her skill to protect herself and those she loves from men who view women not as equals, but as pawns to be sacrificed upon the altars of lust, greed, and fame. An ancient and intriguing tale made fresh for today's 21st century battles.
Constanza Casati's Clytemnestra focuses on the life of the title character, known in mythology as the vengeful wife of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, Greece. In her novel, Casati paints a full and nuanced picture of this much-villainized figure.
Clytemnestra is the daughter of Leda, a princess who becomes a Spartan queen. According to different versions of the myth, while married to the king Tyndareus, Leda is either raped or seduced by the god Zeus, who approaches her while disguised in the form of a swan. She subsequently gives birth to Clytemnestra and her sister Helen. Later in life, Helen is either kidnapped or willingly drawn away from her husband Menelaus by the Trojan prince Paris, leading to the events of the Trojan War. ...
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