Hello Readers,
This is the second instalment in Hannah Lynn’s Grecian
Women Trilogy, and after falling in love with the first book,
Athena’s Child, I
had high expectations and Clytemnestra did not disappoint. While this isn’t the
first Greek mythology retelling, I’ve read that focuses on
Clytemnestra, Hannah
offers us a poignant reimagining of a woman long misunderstood.
Hannah Lynn delivers yet another absorbing retelling of
Greek myth, this time casting a fresh and empathetic light on Clytemnestra the
often vilified Queen, mother, and murderer. Her story is transformed into
something heartbreakingly human. Through Hannah’s eyes, Clytemnestra becomes
more than a figure of myth she becomes unforgettable.
Just like Athena’s Child, this novel wrecked me
emotionally, only to rebuild me back up. I found myself moved to tears more
than once, gripped by the raw, pain at the heart of the story. Clytemnestra’s
love for her children ferocious, undying, and at times devastating is the
emotional anchor of her story.
This retelling strips away the sense of mythic
inevitability and instead reveals its characters as fully human deeply flawed,
emotionally complex, and tragically real. This portrayal also gives
Clytemnestra her due as a Princess of Sparta. Too often overlooked in
retellings, her identity as a warrior-born princess adds vital dimension to her
strength and struggle. Through her eyes, we experience the beauty and brutality
of her world and her desperate fight to protect her children and her sanity
within it.
The writing itself is stunning, immersive, and full of
heart. Hannah’s research shines throughout, not only in the vivid descriptions
of Mycenae and palace life, but in the psychological depth of the characters
and how their experiences shape them. Without spoiling the plot, it’s worth
noting that Elektra’s role is intriguingly questionable in this version, adding
further emotional complexity. And as for Agamemnon, fuck him!
If you enjoy Greek mythology retellings that centre
women’s voices with depth and heart, I can’t recommend this book and
the Grecian Women Trilogy enough. It’s a must-read for anyone ready to see
ancient heroines in a whole new light.
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