I was familiar with the bare bones of the Oedipus story before reading this retelling, but I didn’t know all the intricate details unravelled and investigated here. Haynes brings us the perspective of Jocasta and her youngest daughter Ismene as they fight for the preservation of their lives beneath the restrictions of the Royal Court of Thebes. They become unwitting victims to the plotting men vying for position and power, no matter the cost, but an indomitable spirit shines through the fissures as they rise to claim their own place and power. 

 

Natalie Haynes has a gift with recreating these ancient stories, bringing the page to life in brilliant colour, transmitting each agony—and though we already know the outcome, she draws us into the story until we cannot help but hope for a different ending than the tragic inevitable. She takes some fictional liberties, but each diversion from the original works quite well to engage the reader in the overwhelming emotion of these deceived, unfortunate characters. And even at the tragic end, she manages to deliver a glimmer of hope. 

 

Haynes has brought forth yet another triumph to set upon the shelf of unique female voices, each sharing their perspective on the hackneyed patriarchy’s old familiar Greek myths. 

Classic…

Excellent rendition of a selection of Robert Burns best poetry, read and sung by a small cast of talented musicians and actors. A worthwhile listen.

‘The chief charges against her were, one: that she was dead, two: that she was a woman, which amounts to much the same thing,..’

…and so we have the plight of a woman in a man’s world, a woman who experiences and possesses much the same intellect, eloquence, and capability as a man—yet is bound by social expectations that define beauty and is restrained by the cultural rules of etiquette from using any of her so-called masculine attributes (as above: intellect, eloquence, capability…)

The autobiography of an intellectual—and straightjacketed—woman 100 years ago.

Thank God for progress, the wins of feminism in the twentieth century, and the continued battle for equality. We owe much to the words and fearlessness of women like Virginia Woolf and Mary Wollstonecraft and HRH Elizabeth I…

I loved the idea. As a short story, it satisfies a curiosity, but there was so much more to the character of Galatea I believe the abruptness of the length didn’t allow for justice to her depth.

As a short, it is striking —I think it could have done better as a lengthier short (20,000 rather than 5000 words—or about—perhaps). 

REVEREND! OMG. 

Father Christmas definitely gets up to naughtiness in this one. And I was hoping for something a bit more firm to develop with another of the characters from the last novel—Julia. But I skipped one so I could finish the ‘leap’ novel before 2024 was up (yah, the Popsugar Challenge demand—I tried a few others, even started them, but they were horrid lads, and I don’t think I got through the first few chapters before claiming a DNF)…

But REVEREND— what were you thinking?? I suppose as he was on some strong drugs…for the ankle of course, though he wasn’t at all disappointed by his little post-midnight soirée.

A good made-for-itv Post-Cosy Murder Mystery.

Enjoying these—and yes I’ll go back to read #2 as I skipped it in sequence here…

I’d say it’s a cosy mystery except for the effing & ceeing some of the parishioners enjoy, and for the lusty wee thoughts our otherwise lovely vicar entertains throughout about his congregation and a few of the townswomen. He’s not terribly naughty and he has a good heart, a tragic background, and the joy of his 9 year old daughter to keep him busy—as well as a penchant for stumbling upon murders. Or do they chase him, as his life history suggests…?

All the flavour of a cosy mystery for sure, and well narrated—but probably could have been 3h less.

A story full of intimate yearning, hope, anticipation, dancing on the edge of tension and conflict, with dramatic irony woven throughout that keeps the reader engaged.

Absolutely magical. 

I loved this duo, and with the updated covers, I will be adding them to my personal library…

I don’t even know why I picked this one up—the cover is deceptive. It gives off vibes that it’s going to be some smutty lazy writing about an impossible female lead. Yes. I judged the cover. Who doesn’t? But this cover needs a serious facelift.

The writing is sly, witty, with scenes of delightfully snarky banter, bloody well-paced battle action (probably a bit too much of this for my liking near the end), a slow-burn romance (yes, yearning), and while there are some minor missed-in-the-editing-process errors, the writing is creative and unexpected.

Well, okay, fine. There is a bit of tmi, but it takes a good 75% of the novel for it to show up and is more intimate than cringey.

The whole concept of using ‘the power’ was insane (and I do mean that literally), but so so creative. Imagine your worst enemy being yourself. Psychotic and yet, quite relatable. 

Another note on the irritating cover: The mc is ‘fragmented (which is explained) and would look nothing like this oddly slack-clothed blond... also she has a back full of scars, and is far from perfect as depicted on the —in not going to go on. You get the point. Ignore the cover. Read the book. 

Again, 3.444 

 

More of the same from the first; lots of action; some repeat of similar drama; casting doubt about conflicted characters and the measure of trust each is worthy of in the eye of the heroine; and forgiveness—the whole thing is really about the journey to forgiveness. 

 

A lot of interesting characters, but the choice to tell this in the first person perspective restricts the author from exploring the perspectives of other characters and therefore lacks the depth needed for turning this from a decent story into fantasy magic. 

 

The dialogue at times feels stiff and forced, unnatural and explanatory, often repetitive. Especially when we’re ‘furnishing a room with furniture’ and the like. However, there are moments of beautiful writing amid the verbosity. 

 

This novel is complicated, full of raging bloody battles and political conflict, yearning romances, forbidden love, magical elements, and an internal battle that takes years and years to tell over the course of this long—yes, very long for its content, though I can’t say it’s unenjoyable, cos there were bits—story. Some resolutions are too easy, while others are utterly improbable, and at the end, I think that’s what kept me from losing myself in the story, whether it was the immature internal battle or the wooden dialogue, I couldn't believe in the love-story that tried to weave itself through this otherwise epic tale. 

 

Still, though the execution leaves something to be desired, it is overall a rare setting and delightful concept.