Reading Skywards – Your Friendly Bookshelf

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOK
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flatiron Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 2022
Format:  Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook, and ebook
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
Genre:  Literary Fiction

MY PERSONAL OPINION: “ELEKTRA”

II got the book from a Barnes and Noble’s hardcover sale about two years ago. I was looking for a new book that I could read as well as listen to, and since Libby had the audio available, I picked this one.

I have to say, the writing is beautiful. Totally up my alley, with beautiful paragraphs full of imagery and sentiment at the same time. The audiobook was excellent as well; the narrator did several accents that made the story easy to follow, without being dramatic.

The book was fast-paced, with all the drama that ancient mythology has to offer: fathers killing sons and daughters, nephews killing uncles, and ultimately, children killing their mother. All wrapped up in epic war, incredibly beautiful women, Gods and Goddesses, and sacrifices. It tells the story (for the same time frame) of three distinct women, centering on the main character Elektra. Each of the three characters is a strong-willed woman who fights to forge their place in their lineage, and at the same time, following their loves and weaknesses.

The story is sad, sadistic, cruel, hopeful, and full of courage to fight for the ones we love. I enjoyed this book a lot, both the book and the audiobook.

PREMISE OF THE BOOK AS FOUND IN AMAZON / GOODREADS:

Three women, tangled in an ancient curse.

When Clytemnestra marries Agamemnon, she ignores the insidious whispers about his family line, the House of Atreus. But when, on the eve of the Trojan War, Agamemnon betrays Clytemnestra in the most unimaginable way, she must confront the curse that has long ravaged their family.

In Troy, Princess Cassandra has the gift of prophecy, but carries a curse of her own: no one will ever believe what she sees. When she is shown what will happen to her beloved city when Agamemnon and his army arrives, she is powerless to stop the tragedy from unfolding.

Elektra, Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s youngest daughter, wants only for her beloved father to return home from war. But can she escape her family’s bloody history, or is her destiny bound by violence, too?

MY RATING: 4.00

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JENNIFER SAINT

Jennifer Saint grew up reading Greek mythology and was always drawn to the untold stories hidden within the myths. After thirteen years as a high school English teacher, she wrote Ariadne, which tells the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur from the perspective of Ariadne – the woman who made it happen.

Ariadne was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year in 2021 and was a Waterstones Book of the Month, as well as being a Sunday Times bestseller.

Jennifer Saint is now a full-time author, living in Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two children. She is the President of the Leeds & District Branch of the Classical Association. 

All four of her novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers, with Elektra and Atalanta hitting the coveted number one slot. Her latest bestseller, Hera, is the mesmerising mythological tale of the Queen of the Gods.

OTHER BOOKS FROM JENNIFER SAINT:

• ARIADNE: a Novel
• ATALANTA: a Novel
• HERA: a Novel
• THIS IMMORTAL HEART: a Novel of Aphrodite