What readers think of Clytemnestra, plus links to write your own review.

"Clytemnestra: A Novel" by Elizabeth Leach is a literary gem that breathes new life into an age-old Greek myth, immersing readers in a world of passion, intrigue, and unyielding strength. With meticulous attention to historical detail and a lyrical prose that dances off the pages, Leach delivers a captivating retelling of the legendary figure Clytemnestra, offering a fresh perspective and an intimate exploration of her complex character.

From the very first chapter, Leach's storytelling prowess shines through, effortlessly drawing us into the tumultuous world of ancient Greece. Her vivid descriptions transport us to palaces adorned with opulence, where political machinations and personal vendettas intertwine. Through Clytemnestra's eyes, we witness a society driven by power, where women navigate treacherous paths, and loyalty is a fleeting commodity.

What sets "Clytemnestra" apart from other mythological retellings is its unwavering focus on the titular character's psyche. Leach delves deep into Clytemnestra's innermost thoughts, fears, and desires, painting a nuanced portrait of a woman scorned and her thirst for justice. With every turn of the page, we witness her transformation from a young bride full of hope to a fierce and resilient matriarch, willing to exact vengeance on those who have wronged her.

The author's command of language is truly exceptional, creating a lyrical and atmospheric narrative that lingers in the reader's mind. Leach's ability to evoke emotions through her words is breathtaking, as she navigates themes of love, betrayal, and revenge with masterful precision. The prose is rich, immersive, and imbued with a sense of urgency, effortlessly transporting us through the highs and lows of Clytemnestra's tumultuous journey.

"Clytemnestra" is a testament to the strength and resilience of women in a patriarchal world. Leach masterfully explores the complexities of Clytemnestra's character, presenting her not merely as a vengeful figure, but as a multifaceted woman who defies societal expectations. Through her struggles and triumphs, we witness the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to claim her agency and rewrite her own destiny.

The supporting characters in the novel are equally compelling, each with their own motivations and secrets. Leach expertly weaves their stories into the fabric of Clytemnestra's narrative, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. From the enigmatic Agamemnon to the formidable Electra, the characters come alive, each with their own depths and complexities, contributing to the richness and depth of the overall story.

If there is one minor criticism, it is that at times the pacing of the novel feels slightly uneven, with certain sections moving at a slower pace than others. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of the story, as Leach's elegant prose and vivid characterizations continue to engage the reader throughout.

In conclusion, "Clytemnestra: A Novel" is an extraordinary literary achievement that breathes new life into an ancient myth. Elizabeth Leach's masterful storytelling and exquisite prose create an immersive and captivating experience. Through Clytemnestra's journey, we are reminded of the enduring power of resilience, the complexities of human nature, and the profound impact of personal agency.

"Huntress. Warrior. Mother. Murderess. Queen." Most of what I'd heard about Clytemnestra previously was pretty much focused on the Murderess aspect of her story, but this book gives you so much more, showcasing every aspect of her character, and what led to the point she's usually known for.

This is thorough for sure. On the one hand, that means it felt slow for the first half or so. But it also meant that Clytemnestra, and everyone around her, was very well developed as a character. This was a much more complex portrayal of her than I've ever seen, and I really enjoyed seeing her in all the different roles she took on.

Another interesting aspect to this book is that it really is not mythology like you'd expect. They refer to the gods and goddesses, but they are not characters, and this feels much more like historical fiction than mythology.

The ending is dark (although really, if you know the story of Clytemnestra, you should expect that), and I thought the book does a great job setting up that atmosphere.

I definitely enjoyed this, and recommend to anyone who's a fan of Greek mythology!

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.

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.

It would be hard not to write a good book based on the myth of Clytemnestra and this book definitely delivers. All the themes are there---love, lust, jealousy, vengeance and murder. This book tells the myth from the perspective of Clytemnestra. The author begins with Clytemnestra's childhood and we learn much about her siblings and how Clytemnestra protects them, especially her sister Helen (of Troy).

Clytemnestra falls in love with and marries Tantalus and they have a child. Clytemnestra is happy and joyful, but this all changes when her father, Tyndarus schemes with Agamemnon and Menaleus resulting in Agamemnon murdering Tantalus and the child. Clytemnestra is then forced to marry Agamemnon. Thereafter Clytemnestra is angry and thinks only of revenge. Agamemnon and Clytemnestra have children, but when Agamemnon sets off for Troy, he gets stuck in the harbor because there was no wind. He then sacrifices their daughter Iphigenia to appease Artemis and by the time Clytemnestra learns of this, her daughter is dead and Agamemnon has set sail. Once Agamemnon returns, Clytemnestra carries out her revenge.

Casati creates a sympathetic character who is fierce and bold. Simply put Clytemnestra is a badass.

I think the book could have used more editing. Some of the transitions between chapters were clumsy and overall the book could have been tighter. But the writing is wonderful.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

Clytemnestra is a tale of a sister of the infamous Helen of Troy. The book set in Ancient Greece is a gripping, page-turning story of her life from young princess to brave queen in such barbaric times. The characters were well developed as well as their relationships with each other. History may say otherwise but Clytemnestra was a courageous woman, a loving and protective mother, and a fearless leader. There is a lot of life lived in these pages. I highly recommend this book and I plan to share this book with my book club in 2023.

4.5 STARS ..I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology...this book was a winner for me. Not knowing as much about Clytemnestra as her sister, Helen, I devoured this information on a Queen who has a past reputation as being evil. She was a devoted mother to her children and guarded them with her life. As with everything Mythological, the book has grit, greed, war, grief and a disrespect of life...but I loved reading about this particular family. Author did a great job of bringing these characters to life.

The author has managed to give us a fascinating portrait of a woman who in Greek mythology was known only as a revengeful queen. However, Clytemnestra was so much more. She is in fact a very complex figure according to the novel's author. She is strong, intelligent, caring for her family and especially her children and siblings.

Using as some of her sources, Homer, Aeschylus and Euripedes, Casati has introduced us in a very contemporary style of not only of who Clytemnestra was, but also gives us a very human picture of the mythological heroes of Ancient Greece. We see Helen not only as the beautiful face "that launched 1000 ships," but also as a bright and sensitive woman; we learn about the violent and cruel man who was Agamemnon; we see Penelope not just as the patient wife of Odysseus but as a bright and resolute woman. They were all real people in the novel, not just mythological heroes.

But the star of this novel is Clytemnestra! She is practically in every page. I was impressed by her intelligence and her strength. She was rare among ancient Greek women probably because she was from Sparta whose culture worshipped strength both mental and physical in both men and women. When she was forced to be queen of a different city state, she had to use both her mental and physical strength to not just survive but to rule. Her pain at the loss of her daughter Iphigenia was one act that she could not ignore. She felt her daughter was killed "for a puff of wind." And that is when the revengeful part of her personality emerges and remains the image the ancients had of her

Clytemnestra was a woman who had seen two of her children killed --one by her father and one by her husband. She had seen her beloved first husband killed by her father, the sister she had loved and protected was characterized as a whore.
She felt revenge was her only option even though she knew of the consequences.

I recommend this book. It is written well and should provide interesting discussion.