Clytemnestra: The spellbinding retelling of Greek mythology’s greatest heroine

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Clytemnestra marries Agamemnon and it is not a spoiler to reveal what I have written about so far. I love and admire her strong will and goodness except to the ones that wronged her. I knew of her to become the Queen of Mycenae and that she goes on to have more children with King Agamemnon who its common knowledge--that he becomes commander of the Greek fleet during the Trojan War. Invigorating, addictive, emotional, dramatic, and stunning are just a few words I can find to describe this gem. I was captivated from the very beginning and never wanted it to end.

Guilt, betrayal, sisterhood, and mothering are all strong themes throughout the book. Although some parts were hard to read (especially as someone with young kids), it never felt gratuitous. The characters are well-written and give us a different perspective on a well-known story. As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best . . . As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best... I started studying Classics when I was fourteen, while I was attending an Italian liceo classico. That is when I became familiar with the fascinating heroines from Greek mythology. Clytemnestra especially drew me to her because, in the ancient texts, she is truly unforgettable: fierce and ambitious, protective of the ones she loves, feared and respected for the power she holds, and she doesn’t let the men around her belittle her. Here are two quotes (among many others) that inspired me to write about this character:Clytemnestra is fascinating to learn and read about. She is complicated, at times scheming, but intensely revengeful. Yet, she is also a mother who loves her children deeply and a protective sister. As Queen and in her husband's absence, she ruled ruthlessly but fairly, at least by "Ancient Greek" standards. Living in a time when females were almost powerless, she fought for respect and used hers wisely; she was courageous but also unforgiving when wronged. A heroine of fierce spirit caught in a world ruled by men, finding a way through with a sharp, unquenchable courage. With the fire and spark of Madeline Miller and the depths of Mary Renault, Clytemnestra will keep you reading well into the small hours, and your dreams will be of worlds where women reach for the gods MANDA SCOTT On her deathbed, Clytemnestra’s grandmother tells Clytemnestra and Helen that their family is a “dynasty of queens” and that “you girls will be remembered longer than your brothers”. Honestly, if anyone gives me feminist Greek mythology I just about combust from excitement and Clytemnestra was absolutely no different, I'm COMPLETELY obsessed and fully intend to make it my entire personality for the next three to six months.

Casati’s writing was wonderful and beautiful. In a way, it is similar to Madeline Miller’s, but it is definitely not the same. Casati is a master at evoking the emotions of the characters and making the reader feel for them. There are so many soul crushing moments throughout the book, and each one was like a dagger to the chest. In "Clytemnestra", Costanza Casati has taken a woman who's frequently villainized in Greek mythology and given a fresh and complex take on her life and story.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley/Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review. Throughout the story, you see how she ignores her mother's suggestion of not letting hatred and vengeance rule her world, else it turn her into something she doesn't recognize. I am kind of debating, did she turn into her mother, her father, or her husband Agamemnon. Also, would she then marry Aegisthus, if the novel continues into a sequel? (Yes, I am aware this is based off of Greek mythology and the outcome is probably already known by everyone else aside from me). Clytemnestra is known as the “cruel queen and unfaithful wife” in mythology. But, in Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati, we get a front row seat to the strength, heartache, resilience, and vengeance it took to get into the history books. I have always been compelled by Clytemnestra’s story- the less loved sister of beautiful Helen. The wife of lord of men Agamemnon. Mother of a sacrifice to the Trojan War. I have read about her in A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes and Jennifer Saint’s Elektra. I am so happy she has her own book. Please do not change the beautiful cover, because I plan on purchasing the hardcover for my special collection. This will make a beautiful gift to friends and family. It far exceeded my expectations! I already knew "Clytemnestra's" story from reading "Helen had a Sister," by Penelope Haines, some time ago, which was my introduction to learning about Clytemnestra's life. Although, I enjoyed it immensely, it wasn't as comprehensive and as epic in scope as this one was. This lushly written account is far more detailed, and I don't want to sound unoriginal by saying that this chronicles Clytemnestra's life from the young Princess of Sparta, where she grew up. She was Helen of Troy's sister and this novel illuminates how much they loved each other and, how extremely close they were.

The Trojan War begins after Clytemnestra’s sister Helen elopes with the Trojan prince Paris, despite being married to Agamemnon’s brother Menelaus. Before leaving for the war, Agamemnon tells Clytemnestra and their daughter Iphigenia that he has arranged for Iphigenia to marry the hero Achilles. They travel to a nearby coastal city of Aulis where the Greek navy will leave for Troy in the following days. However, this marriage proposal is a sham. The truth is that a seer named Calchas has told Agamemnon that sacrificing his daughter to the gods would make their chances of winning the war more favorable. The night of the ‘wedding proposal,’ Agamemnon has soldiers tie up his wife and daughter, and sacrifices his daughter in a ritual ceremony. Clytemnestra was an easy read in that its fast-paced and beautiful prose kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. It was absolutely riveting, and one of the most compulsive reading experiences I've have in quite some time. My ONLY complaint is that I wish it was longer as I wasn't ready to leave that world just yet.A blazing novel set in the world of Ancient Greece and told through the eyes of its greatest heroine, this is a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred and love, perfect for fans of ARIADNE and THE SONG OF ACHILLES. I don't have the proper words to explain the profound impact of Casati's writing- it's hard to explain, I think, because the writing was just so so good that even if I wasn't so enamored with aspects like certain characters it just doesn't matter. What a pleasure to fall in love with Clytemnestra through the mind of Costanza Casati, who renders a singularly vibrant Greece, populated by familiar characters and absolutely alive with emotion and suspense. Casati reveals a Clytemnestra we’ve never met before: fiercely intelligent, passionate, and loving – and willing to do anything to avenge the ones she loves."— Naomi Krupitsky, New York Timesbestselling author of The Family

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. Greek mythology is usually fascinating, and this novel lives up to that expectation. I did not remember much of the Greek mythology I’d read, and certainly did not know who Clytemnestra was until reading Costanza Casati’s work. Please please please go get this book if you love mythology, strong character development, cinematic writing, Game of Thrones, etc etc…. You won’t regret it!!There will come a time when songs will be sung about her, about the people she loved and the ones she hated... We initially meet Clytemnestra as a young woman growing up and learning to fight as a warrior in her own right in Sparta. She is fierce and uncompromising, secure in herself in a way that her twin sister Helen is not, despite her famed beauty. Her relationships with her parents, Tyndareus and Leda, are complicated, but her closeness with Helen is apparent. Several of her other influential siblings also play critical roles in the story, including Castor, Polydeuces (more commonly known as Pollux), and Timandra, and Casati spends time building Clytemnestra’s unique bonds with each of them. The book also deftly weaves in several critical references to other well-known mythological tales like Jason’s voyage with the Argonauts, Theseus’ kidnapping of Helen, and the stories that claim Leda was once raped by Zeus in the form of a swan (Although here, it’s merely Helen who is likely godspawn.) If there’s one story I could read retellings over and over of, it’s the Trojan War. They are always focused on Helen and Paris. I’ve always known Clytemnestra and been curious about her. I absolutely loved this look from her perspective. Helen is a secondary character, and really not all that interesting compared to her big sis. Clytemnestra is the perfect portrayal of revenge and female empowerment in a time when they had none. Even though I knew everything that was going to happen, it wasn’t any less intriguing. I wish this book never ended!