“The worst fate of all, to fade and wither into obscurity.” ARC given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Plot rating: 3
Character rating: 3.5
Writing style: 3
Overall rating: 4


As a big Aeschylus fan, when I first found out about this book, I knew I had to read it. Costanza Casati’s Clytemnestra tells the entire story of Clytemnestra, twin of the more famous Helen of Sparta, and the wife to the cursed Agamemnon.

The story of Clytemnestra is most commonly found in Aeschylus’ The Oresteia, a trilogy of tragedies that recount Orestes’ attempts to avenge his father, who Clytemnestra killed. This version of Clytemnestra starts from when she is a child, explores her relations with Helen, Tantalus, Agamemnon, and lastly Aegisthus. Each character interacts with Clytemnestra in a way that makes her motives painstakingly clear, not justifying her actions, but making them understandable. This version of Clytemnestra does bad things, but she is not evil. This version of Clytemnestra is human.

I loved the characterisation of the people in this book, and how they were so uniquely described, setting them apart from everyone else. Casati so effortlessly weaves separate myths and her own stories together (Helen, Tantalus, Electra) in a way that flows perfectly to retell a story yet make it her own. I also loved the metaphors in the novel, those long extended descriptions so similar to that of Homer or Ovid. I have always loved Clytemnestra and her story. Casati makes this completely that. Clytemnestra’s story. Not Orestes’. Not Agamemon’s. Not Helen’s, or anyone’s else.

While others have stated that this is a fast paced story, I would have to disagree with that. It is extremely slow building, setting up the events piece by piece until they finally get too heavy and come tumbling down. The writing style was also something I struggled with getting into, but after a while, I managed to look past this and completely get into the story and characters. I also think that without some background to the story, it would be harder to understand and enjoy.

Overall, I loved this spin on Clytemnestra, and Casati’s retelling of it. It is not perfect, as no book is, but as a debut, it is absolutely wonderful.

This book covers the part of Clytemnestra’s story that isn’t usually told. And that is most of her life – her childhood and first marriage in a Sparta where the girls learn to fight as well as the boys; the many years married to Agamemnon in Mycenae – before the part we’re more familiar with either side of the Trojan war.
It’s a mark of how entrenched in the Homeric stories is our literary tradition (and how many of this type of story I’ve read in recent years) that I could so easily imagine myself in Sparta with Clytemnestra and Helen, their beloved siblings, difficult mother Leda and monstrous father Tyndareus. A common version of the myth is that Helen was the result of Zeus (disguised as a swan) raping Leda. Here, the more tantalising story is that Leda is rumoured to have had an affair with a foreign man; a rumour that Tyndareus buys into.
Look I know it’s myth rather than history but I enjoy fully buying in to the story. How two men wreak such havoc is fascinating. As always, Agamemnon is a brute but here the blame is spread a little more onto Menelaus. As he moved to live with Helen (so often a woman had to leave her home and family to live with a mostly unfamiliar man far away) it’s easy to imagine why she might find it attractive to leave Sparta and Menelaus (if not her daughter) with the beautiful and charming Paris; abduction or a giddy yearning for a different life?
I really enjoyed Clytemnestra and have havered over whether to give it four or five stars; if I could I think I’d go for four and a half. There’s some great dramatic tension, no easy task when most readers will know the major events of the story. The characters feel well-rounded rather than the caricatures they could so easily be. I liked the switch to epistolary form after the tragedy that so floors Clytemnestra. The portrayal of her relationship with Aegisthus is layered and nuanced: it makes sense.
In writing this kind of novel it must be difficult to resist too much foreshadowing. I think Costanza Casati has given us just enough here: the mentions of vengeance, the actions and personalities that will play out in the Trojan war. It’s easy to think of Clytemnestra only in terms of seeking revenge on Agamemnon for sacrificing Iphigenia, but she had plenty of reasons before that and other people on whom she could reasonably want to exact vengeance. Time and again she is let down, wronged, betrayed. If revenge is a dish best served cold, Clytemnestra’s patience surely makes hers the best of all.

I’ve tried to read a number of Greek myth inspired/adapted books recently and I never seem to be able to get through them. They all seem a bit too full on, like the authors wants to add every bit of historical accuracy as well as the fictional drama, but they never quite hit the mark with either. But this one was getting early praise right off the bat so I went in with an open mind (and a gin), and what an amazing book it was.

I was hooked from the first chapter, the first page, the first word. It is utterly gorgeous in every conceivable way. It doesn’t hold off on the violence of the time, of the power and the greed, but also of the love and the admiration.

I hadn’t heard of Clytemnestra before, which I think gave it an edge as I had no preconceptions going in as to what her story was.

What I really did enjoy were the mentions of other Greek characters such as Helen (of Troy fame), Achilles, Dionedes, Philoctetes, Ajax, Odysseus, Polydamas, Theseus, Agamemnon and Icarius, along with many, many others. It seemed odd to read them a “normal” people, with friends and lovers and hobbies. Whilst I know the names and the wars, I didn’t know too much about Greek mythological figures as a whole, so this was a great starting point.

Whilst all the characters were brilliantly written, this was Clytemnestra’s story, and I was on her side 100%. She shone on every page and you could see her growth from child to powerful Queen.

It is full of just the most beautiful description. From the weather to the clothes, the animals to the gardens, the war to the death. Costanza has given everything such attention, and you can easily visualise everything as if you were part of the scene.

I know there’s been criticism of mythological adaptations in the past as it feels a bit like a cop out, you don’t have to think of characters or plots, it’s already there for you. But I’m not sure I agree. In fact, I would say that makes it harder, as everyone knows these characters and this world, so you have to simultaneously make it relevant and true to the myth, but also fresh enough for an entertaining fictional read.

These are the kind of women I like reading about. Second citizens, at fear of injury, sexual assault, death, losing their children, their husbands, their friends. And yet they stand up and they fight. Not necessarily with swords and knives, but with their words and their love and their passion.

I’ve said before that my ideal book length is 300 pages. Anything more than that I sale with. Rarely does a book warrant its long page length, and at almost 500 pages, I was worried this would be one of them. But this is an exception. It flowed so beautifully that it never felt too long or a slog to get through. In fact, I read it in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t bear to be apart from it. For a book that nears 500 pages, there’s a lot of words, but none are wasted. Every word has been specifically chosen for that moment and none are throwaway.

It’s got a great balance between plot and character study. It’s thrilling and exciting and gory, but also peaceful and loving, with time for family and friends. It fits nicely into every descriptive term. It is so multi layered, with interconnecting lands and character and stories.

I now want to rewind time so I can read it completely anew again. It illuminates traditional Greek myths and makes them shine. It is fantastic historical fiction, and you can clearly see Costanza’s passion for the subject. From what I’ve seen alone, this is her debut novel and it’s sure going to put her on the map as an author to watch. If this is what she can produce as her debut, then I cannot wait for what’s next, whether it be ancient history or something more modern. Her character, world and story building is stunning.

I cannot wait to recommend it to just about everyone. This is the jewel amongst all the mythological fictions. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. When I put it down, I was wondering when I could pick it back up. I know it’s early days, but this is definitely a contender for my best books of 2023.

Reading this book was an absolute joy. It was a big read, but every bit of it draws you further and further into the characters. We saw Clytemnestra's childhood, and what a fierce Spartan woman she was raised to be, which made perfect sense. There were several parts of her story that I didn't know, as well as the more familiar aspects. If you like a retelling of Greek myths from the female perspective, then you will love this book. For me, it is instantly up there with the likes of Natalie Haynes, Jennifer Saint, Madeline Miller, Claire North and Pat Barker. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

A strong debut that takes the familiar story of the House of Atreus and tells it from the forgotten viewpoint of Clytemnestra. The Greek gods are noticeably absent and it works in the book's favour, making Clytemnestra's voice and actions all the more real. Dramatic, interesting and enjoyable all the way through.

I’ve been on a bit of a Greek fiction kick lately and as of yet, I haven’t found a novel that truly gripped me… until now. CLYTEMNESTRA is gorgeous - richly detailed, full of personality and life - taking a controversial character and making her a nuanced, fascinating heroine. Spectacularly done, if you like Jennifer Saint, you will LOVE Costanza Casati!

A fantastic myth retelling. There are dozens, if not hundreds, that have dominated the shelves recently, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly wary of new ones that they would just be the same formula, slightly rehashed, by Clytemnestra is an amazing debut by Casati. Compelling, it leaps through time to give a detailed glimpse into Clytemnestra's life - admittedly, I didn't know much of the story before the book, so it was wholly new to me. It was interesting to see how the character developed across the different stages of her life, and how she reacted to the events that occurred. It very much reminded me of Ariadne and Elektra, so if you like a retelling, you'll love this!

"Huntress. Warrior. Mother. Murderess. Queen." These are the many labels that can be applied to Clytemnestra, but to understand each one you must first be told her entire story and the suffering that featured throughout it.

I love me a powerful female protagonist and Clytemnestra proved herself to be one, very early on in the telling of this tale. There were time shifts throughout the novel, always following a tragedy that had befallen Clytemnestra. The reader got to see her at many different stages of her life but also, and most interestingly for me, how she altered when faced with differing losses, fears, and woes. She sometimes crumbled and sometimes hardened, but always fought her way through. She was a powerful woman in a world that didn't want her to be one, and so her lot in life was to never be provided with an easy path to her goals. Neither were the stories told about her willing to paint her in any sort of favourable light. This is her own story, in her own words, and even then the truths illuminated were harshly exposed.

"You were born free and you will always be free, no matter what others tell you."

"Clytemnestra" by Costanza Casati tells the story of Queen Clytemnestra that led up to her becoming the most infamous of the Greek world.

I would give "Clytemnestra" by Costanza Casati a 5 star review because, 1; I love the cover 2; I really loved how this is a stronge female lead 3; While it tells her story but it also tells the story of others like Helen of Troy and 4; it was really nice to learn more about this queen.

Clytemnestra

I’ve read my fair share of Greek Myth Retellings over the last few years and anytime one comes around to be released, you will find i most certainly Need to read it. There are so many Greek Gods/Goddesses/Myths retellings that are always fascinating to read about and I always have this thought in my mind, how will this one Differ to the rest, in it’s own lane, bring its own originality into it, how will this book keep me engaged if I knew the story etc etc.

Well I’m here to tell you Clytemnestra did just that, this book is incredible, it kept me reading and I was literally flying through it. I knew pretty earlier on this was going to be a favourite book of mine and also a favourite Greek Myth Retelling I’ve ever read too. All the high praises because it absolutely deserves it.

Costanza is one absolutely incredible writer, the writing in this book just blew me away, it was so beautiful I literally had to take 5 second pauses sometimes to just take in the beauty of the words that were down on the page, if I was one to highlight and tab my books, Clytemnestra would be full to the brim with tabs.

Clytemnestra is a powerhouse as a book and as a character. When the world tries to knock you down and put you in a box of what you’re supposed to be, Clytemnestra came to rip that all up, Reclaimed her power, never gave in and did what she had to do, for herself, her life and her children.

Clytemnestra will be releasing March 2023. BUY THIS BOOK, PRE-ORDER, READ. Wether you love mythology, want to get into mythology or just want to read a damn good book. This one’s for you.

Clytemnestra is Casati’s debut novel and it is a retelling of Greek Mythology. Clytemnestra was forced to marry a tyrant who ends up sacrificing her child. Her husband goes off to wage a war whilst she is forced to watch from home. Her husband returns home and all is not well. Clytemnestra either has to accept her husband or take up vengeance against him. In this world power isn’t given it is taken and Clytemnestra knows that. This was an interesting take on Clytemnestra’s story, it was well put together and the character list at the start was helpful to remember the characters. If you don’t know anything about Clytemnestra and Greek myth I can definitely see this being a hit. The ending was very powerful too and the Greek myths do bring out strong emotions in me. However the writing stopped me from giving this five stars. It was technically good but lacked a certain spark or connection with me. I couldn’t help but compare this to Jennifer Saint’s Elektra which had a focus on Clytemnestra so that stopped me from loving it completely. If you are new to this myth I definitely recommend picking this up. Overall, a 3.5 stars rounded to a four.

I absolutely loved the writing in this book. If you love Madeline Miller you will love this one. I loved how Costanza took Clytemnestra and showed us that there are nuances to her and she isn't just the villain that she is usually portrayed as. I was hooked from the first few chapters and I wanted to know more about her life and how she got to where she did!

so I finished #Clytemnestra a couple of weeks ago, and I think my best endorsement for this book is that I didn’t want it to end.

I’ve never really felt strongly about Clytemnestra as a character until now. Jennifer Saint opened up a whole new world to me of empathy for Elektra, and now Casati has done this all over again. Im still in mild emotional turmoil, to tell you the truth!

Clytemnestra’s full story is offered to us in a genuine, authentic, and respectful way. We all know the myths, of course, or at least we think we do…but I’ve decided I don’t think I really *knew* anything, until I’d read this book. Clytemnestra is portrayed as a real, raw, fantastic human being. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend. Casati has brought her to life, and I mean that and I don’t say it lightly. In the time I was reading this book (and I literally couldn’t put it down; I read it in bed, while I cooked, even when I walked to work!) Clytemnestra suddenly meant everything to me.

The relationships she had with her siblings (which I feel we don’t really think about because, well…we’re all too busy focusing just on Helen, really, aren’t we?) really grounded her as a believeable character, for me. Helen doesn’t steal the limelight in this narrative, but I feel she is also given a story that actually, finally, does her justice. And don’t even get me started on the Spartan background, in particular - flawless. (Why do we always forget these sisters were Spartan?? Why do we forget how strong they were, in every sense??)

In short; run, don’t walk, when this publishes in 2023.

After listening to Elektra I was immediately engrossed in the world. So when I saw this I just had to request it. I was so happy when I got accepted. So thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!

This is a retelling of an insane Greek history. I love the fact that it focused more on the women in the era than the men we know so much about.

I absolutely loved this!

I have said this many times, and probably will say it many more, but I love mythological retellings. The tale of Troy is one that has been retold so many times by so many using the voices of multiple characters from Cassandra to Elektra, but Clytemnestra and her various tales have been glossed over. She is the wife of Agamemnon, the daughter of Tyndareus, the sister of Helen and the mother of Iphigenia, but rarely is she more than that.

In this book by Costanza Casati, she is the central focus and the tale itself is heartbreaking.

Admittedly the first person, present tense threw me, to begin with, I found it jarring and more than a little distracting. However, as I got into the story, this storytelling element became less important.

Clytemnestra is a strong character who goes through incredible hardships that have been glossed over in other retellings. She is the heartless woman who cheats on her husband while he is at war and then kills him and his mistress upon their return from Troy. But in this book, she is more than that. She is a mother who has twice witnessed the slaughter of a child, who learned to fight at her father’s knee only for him to betray her at the first promise of gold. She is the woman who protected her siblings and felt pain at their loss and every single element of this pours off the page.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book, in fact, I was a bit hesitant, but I am glad I did, because despite the fact that books in the present tense can feel unnatural - it faded into the background when the story got started.

Wow. That was a dramatic and engrossing read.

For the majority of the novel there was incredible sense of place and history. Spartan and Greek society was brought to life in a way that allowed you to see how deeply unpleasant and brutish it was for women, slaves and often the general population.

Male violence and heroism ruled. Life was arbitrary and brutish. Glory was about heroic masculine deeds. Immortality depended on whether your name lived on in succeeding generations.

Helen, Clytmnestra, Leda and Castor and Polydeuces (Pollux) are given centre stage and are the axis around which the tragedy unfolds, I had never realised the direct relationships between them and congratulations to the author for pulling together so much research in a seamless fashion.

The last ten percent of the novel felt rather rushed and did not have the steely resolve of the first ninety per cent. The novel and Clytmnestra rather lost their way.

Having said that this is an excellent read and highly recommended to anyone who has enjoyed Madeline Miller, Pat Barker or Claire North.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the proof copy I received.

I loved every single page of this book. The writing, the characters, the story, was all so beautifully crafted. I highly recommend it!

I have been eagerly waiting on this book since Costanza Casati first shared it on her social media. As a Mythology fan, I always adored Clytemnestra as a character and when retellings started to rise to popularity, I was eagerly waiting for someone to tell Clytemnestra's story! Costanza Casati has done just that. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this book ahead of it's release and I can't wait to see it in bookstores. A must read for Mythology fans!

"When vengeance calls and the gods stop watching, what happens to those who have touched the people I love?"

Thank you Michael J Books, netgalley and Costanza Casati for the ARC of Clytemnestra.

I really enjoyed Casati's take on Clytemnestra. I have read Jennifer Saint's Elektra and Claire Heywood's Daughters of Sparta in the past 12 months, and whilst I enjoyed Saints and Heywood's interpretations, I found them too similar.

Casati's Clytemnestra really stood out from the crowd for me.

I found Casati's Clytemnestra freer and so much more powerful, particularly considering her warrior training during her upbringing in Sparta, which was a new element to Clytemnestra's persona.

I also hadn't known that there are versions of Clytemnestra's mythology which see her married and bear a child with first husband Tantalus, which again added a surprising new side to Clytemnestra and her pain.

Clytemnestra's hatred for Agamemnon is visceral, as expected. However she is so much more open about this, even with him directly at multiple stages in the story.

The dynamic between Clytemnestra and Electra was awkward and wanting. Which brings much more nuance to their relationship, which we often simply see as daughter hating mother.

I also found that Clytemnestra's familial relationships with her siblings Helen, Castor, Polydeuces and Timandra were much more interconnected, which gave the story so much more texture. Normally the family are portrayed as estranged after Clytemnestra and Helen are married to the Atreidi. But here Clytemnestra makes at least 3 journeys back to Sparta or elsewhere to be with her family.

Overall, I really enjoyed Casati's Clytemnestra, and if you are into Greek mythology I think you will too.

Two sisters, princesses of Sparta, as close as sisters can be yet each feeling dwarfed by the shadow the other casts. Helen is the most beautiful woman that Greece has ever seen, so beautiful that some believe her father to be a god. Clytemnestra is the strongest and most cunning of women, a true Spartan and their father’s favourite. These differences will take them down very different paths, but there are two things they will always have in common. Love and pain: the two things that no woman can avoid.

This retelling of this popular myth gives a far greater depth to the character of Clytemnestra than any I have read before. It reveals parts of her story that I was not aware of and gave her a backstory to explain the powerful emotions that drove her terrible actions. Love and loss are powerful motivators and I liked the way that these emotions feed into both her strengths and weaknesses.

There is also a rich cultural backdrop in this book which shows a dedicated level of research from the author. It paints the stark differences between Sparta and the rest of ancient Greece and beyond. This is particularly apparent in their women whose strength and freedom is unrecognised elsewhere. In this context Clytemnestra is a remarkable woman who fights hard to earn and hold onto her power in a society that is constantly working against her. If she makes mistakes along the way then this is to be expected in a world that was not built for people like her.