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House of Odysseus

House of Odysseus

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The protagonist of the story is a compelling and complex character, offering a fresh perspective on the well-known figure of Penelope. Her personal journey is filled with obstacles, self-discovery, and moments of profound introspection, allowing readers to connect with her on a deep emotional level. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each adding their own layers of depth and intrigue to the narrative. Elektra and Helen of Troy are given voices in this narrative as well; they are not just seen as vapid, beautiful (but tragic) figures in the story. They plot. They aid. They use their wits to ensure Penelope is helped to preserve the peace on the island. I appreciate that this retelling focused on the women and their alliance and how they helped one another and showed strength, not in the physical sense, but the emotional. They were so intelligent and ruthless, it was refreshing to read about. Penelope must find a way to survive and keep her home safe from these two mad kings and this battle stretching from Mycenae… to Sparta… to mount Olympus itself. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother and keep him safe, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus’ wife. And watching over them, the goddess Aphrodite, who has her own agenda and secrets of her own.

Now Penelope faces a new threat. After providing a place of refuge for Elektra and her brother, Orestes, both children of the now dead Agamemnon killed by his wife Clytemnestra, Menelaus, Agamemnon’s brother, catches wind that his niece and nephew may be hiding out in Ithaca. Conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies' The Times If you liked the political maneuvering in the Game of Thrones series; if you chafe at the way that Greek mythology couldn’t pass even a modified a Bechdel test; if the inner lives of women are interesting to you; if you love a “good for her” story with an denoument that feels absolutely earned and yet somehow still in some ways surprising; I recommend this book whole heartedly. House of Odysseus is a feminist retelling of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, who was left to run Ithaca for twenty years whilst Odysseus sailed to the Battle of Troy. This story explores female desire, has exceptional political court intrigue, and is a lesson in underestimating women.If North at first paints Helen as vain and silly, she later proves to not be the fool she pretends, displaying an unexpected wisdom and expertise. Penelope, she unfailingly portrays as oh so clever. Of Menelaus, Aphrodite says “A man who was once considered really rather ugly, and became through power and might and force of arms one of the most handsome men in the world… Menelaus likes it when women cry at his feet while begging for protection. Their tears help fill the leaking hollows of his fractured soul.” Penelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. A sensational retelling' Elodie Harper, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf Den On the isle of Ithaca, Penelope reigns as queen and maintains a “delicate” balance of power. Years ago, her husband sailed for Troy and never returned. Using her cunning and intelligence, Penelope manages to keep the peace on the island… until it is shattered by the return of King Orestes of Mycenae, and his sister, Elektra. Not long ago, Orestes murdered his mother Clytemnestra on Ithaca’s sands. Now, filled with guilt and torment, he is slowly becoming more unhinged and violent… but a king cannot be seen as weak, so his sister has brought him to Ithaca to hide him and keep him safe from the ambitions of Mycenaean men. I liked the narrator being Aphrodite considerably less than Hera in book one. I thought more could have been done about the parallels between her feigning just being the dumb goddess of love and lust and Helen being her most favored mortal. Overall just not as poignant a storyteller and perspective to share for me as Hera, but to each their own. I can see that (if Athena is indeed the narrator of the third book) what North is aiming for in the trilogy as whole, highlighted by one of Aphrodite's lines alluding to Clytemnestra being Hera's, Helen being hers and Penelope being Athena's by way of Athena's love for Odysseus. And she did have some interesting bits (insight into /all/ forms of love) and it was nice that all the other divinities didn't stall conversation/information delivery etc. because of their contempt for her (as they did with Hera). The constant fawning was something I started to glaze over but I realize that it's very in character and on brand, though I still would have preferred less of it. I fell in love with North’s depiction of Hera and Penelope as they navigate Ithacan politics in Ithaca. And while I was rather sad Hera departed as a narrator, Aphrodite was such an incredible successor. Her perspective not only brought a deliciously scandalous perspective to Penelope’s love life, but it just felt right to have the goddess of love narrate the faithful queen’s next political adventure. 🕊️

Throughout, as some of Penelope’s suitors hatch a nasty plot, as a young woman is murdered, as ships are set alight, as a daring escape is made, and as Spartan soldiers are defeated, those awful creatures, the Furies hang over Orestes, exacerbating the effects of whatever mortal poison ails him. Cranky old Laertes gets a decent role in this instalment, with some splendid dialogue, and Kenamon the Egyptian also shows his worth. Please tell me now if you killed any of them,” sighs Penelope. “I would rather not be embarrassed by the revelation later.”Imagine my surprise in finding out Ithaca was not a standalone novel, and the second book was available to read? My heart soared I was so excited and with good reason. This was a fantastic book, some of the best writing I’ve ever been privileged enough to read in regards to Greek myth retellings. What sets House of Odysseus apart is North's skillful blending of the ancient and the contemporary. She effortlessly juxtaposes the mythical elements of the story with the realities of modern life, creating a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as feminism, identity, power, family ties, and the enduring power of myth. The seamless integration of these elements is a testament to North's storytelling prowess.

Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit) via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read House of Odysseus (The Songs of Penelope #2) by Claire North, I have given my honest review. I’m incredibly sadden that I have to wait yet another year for the next book and conclusion of the series, but I’m putting money down right now to say that North is going to use Athena as a narrator and I’M SO READY FOR AN ATHENA POV!! 🦉In fact, the point of view of Aphrodite is one of my favourite aspects of this novel. It provides such an amusing, slightly sensual, and very sassy overtone. It helps that the writing is completely flawless, which is not a compliment I give away lightly. The plot itself gave me literal goosebumps! The suitors continue to be rather useless, but Kenamon is such a sweetie that I’m honestly finding myself concerned for his future in Odysseus’ house. And Helen. . . Wow. I thought I couldn’t love another portrayal of her, but North’s depiction of this notorious beauty was so well crafted and convincing that even I was led along with the whole show. 🍶



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