A Spartan’s Sorrow
In ancient Greece, many women and children mourn the departure of their husbands and fathers as they join King Agamemnon in a ten-year war against the Trojans. Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra, however, is not one of them. She thrives without her abusive husband and dreads the day he will return. When he uses their daughter, Iphigenia, as a sacrifice to ensure success in his war efforts, Clytemnestra vows she will not rest until she avenges her child. What follows is a grand epic filled with politics, passions, and retribution. Lynn’s novel shows this often-maligned woman in a new light.
Clytemnestra is generally portrayed as a wicked woman in traditional literature. She flies in the face of what were considered to be properly feminine traits: she rules in her husband’s absence, she is vengeful, she takes a lover. Lynn’s novel tells Clytemnestra’s story from a wonderfully feminist perspective, showing that she is not wicked but strong, not deceitful but highly competent. Lynn skillfully weaves in complex character development with historical details, creating a vibrant setting in which to explore a new rendition of this ancient story. The entire cast of characters is multifaceted, each with a distinct voice and motives of their own, which allows for a fantastically nuanced reading experience. Also, while this is listed as the second in the Grecian Women Trilogy, it is easily read as a standalone novel. Very highly recommended!
