Helpful Score: 1
Another entry into the genre of stories from the point of view of 'forgotten women.'
This novel proposes that when Odysseus left Ithaca, his wife Penelope was pregnant with a daughter never mentioned by Homer. Corona shines a light on what life may have been like for Xanthe, growing up in a difficult situation, never knowing her legendary father.
Occasionally, I found details to be unconvincing for the time period, but overall this was an absorbing book, which brings to life the secret lives of ancient Greek women. Xanthe's story is more interesting and entertaining than many books of this type that I've read. A pitfall in writing this sort of thing is that oftentimes there's a reason that history didn't record the deeds of obscure people: they weren't that exciting. But this tale has plenty of adventure and tension.
This novel proposes that when Odysseus left Ithaca, his wife Penelope was pregnant with a daughter never mentioned by Homer. Corona shines a light on what life may have been like for Xanthe, growing up in a difficult situation, never knowing her legendary father.
Occasionally, I found details to be unconvincing for the time period, but overall this was an absorbing book, which brings to life the secret lives of ancient Greek women. Xanthe's story is more interesting and entertaining than many books of this type that I've read. A pitfall in writing this sort of thing is that oftentimes there's a reason that history didn't record the deeds of obscure people: they weren't that exciting. But this tale has plenty of adventure and tension.
This was kind of an interesting look into the world that Odysseus left behind when he went off to war in Troy. But it was a little bit on the boring side.
Sadly, for me, this book was just okay. I tried and tried to love it, and I really thought I did, but this novel just paled in comparison to Corona's Finding Emilie, which was one of my favorite books read in 2011.
I liked the setting and loved the idea of getting the back story of the Odyssey, and Helen of Troy even made an appearance, which I loved! But I just didn't like certain aspects of the story, mainly the very superficial romantic relationship that she had with the prince. Their romance just felt very on the nose & unrealistic (you're beautiful, I'm handsome, I love you, let's get together!). I also didn't care for the girl-on-girl action. It was just a little much for me.
I did love the details about spinning & weaving that opened each chapter. That was quite beautiful.
Many reviewers seem to love this novel, so please take my review with a grain of salt. Perhaps I had set myself up for disappointment as her most recent novel was such an enjoyment to me.
I liked the setting and loved the idea of getting the back story of the Odyssey, and Helen of Troy even made an appearance, which I loved! But I just didn't like certain aspects of the story, mainly the very superficial romantic relationship that she had with the prince. Their romance just felt very on the nose & unrealistic (you're beautiful, I'm handsome, I love you, let's get together!). I also didn't care for the girl-on-girl action. It was just a little much for me.
I did love the details about spinning & weaving that opened each chapter. That was quite beautiful.
Many reviewers seem to love this novel, so please take my review with a grain of salt. Perhaps I had set myself up for disappointment as her most recent novel was such an enjoyment to me.
