Clytemnestra crackles with vivid fury, passion, and strength. This powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of a fascinating and complicated woman is framed in beautiful prose. The author's masterful use of language brings to life the complex emotions and motivations of Clytemnestra, making her a truly compelling character. Through Casati's writing, readers are transported to ancient Greece, where they witness the struggles and triumphs of one of its most intriguing figures.

eh. this was...okay. but my brain couldn't turn off the love of greek mythology so. i probably won't be purchasing this one.

Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati is a powerful retelling of the classic Greek myth of the same name. The novel is a gripping portrayal of the woman who famously murdered her husband, Agamemnon, and his concubine, Cassandra, upon his return from the Trojan War.

Casati's writing is captivating, and she skillfully weaves together the different threads of the story to create a complex and multifaceted character in Clytemnestra. The novel is narrated from her perspective, giving readers an intimate look into her thoughts and motivations.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is the way Casati explores the themes of power, revenge, and justice. The author delves deep into the psychology of Clytemnestra, showing how her actions were driven by a desire for vengeance against the man who had sacrificed their daughter and betrayed her trust.

The novel also sheds light on the political and social context of ancient Greece, particularly the role of women in society. Clytemnestra's struggle for power and autonomy in a world dominated by men is a compelling and thought-provoking element of the story.

Overall, Clytemnestra is a masterful retelling of a classic myth. Casati's writing is rich and evocative, and her portrayal of this iconic character is both nuanced and powerful. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Greek mythology, feminist literature, or just a well-written and engaging story.

A fabulous and fascinating retelling of the story of one of Greek mythology's lesser known heroines - Clytemnestra, sister to Helen of Sparta and wife of Agamemnon. Most of the stories of the Trojan war are centred around the beautiful Helen. It was a breath of fresh air to read this beautifully rendered story about her other sister, a strong, independent-willed woman who went on to become Queen in her own right. The story is told from the perspective of the women in the myth and gives an interesting insight into the events leading up to the start of the Trojan war. If you are a fan of Greek mythology or stories of powerful women in general, this book is for you. It is written in an easy-to-read style and is simply unputdownable. I will definitely be reading more retellings of Greek myths after this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

This book was hard for me. It was very slow paced, and the male entitlement bothered me, even though I know that men deemed woman lesser during this time period, it still got to me. I love Greek mythology and I love the idea of Clytemnestra getting revenge, but it did take her some time. To be fair revenge is not always swift, but this poor woman had to lose way too much before she could even get close to getting back at her heinous husband. If you are looking for a Greek tragedy you have found the perfect book.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

What I love about Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati:
• I fell in love with the powerful heroine
• I don’t usually like romantic moments in books/movies, but the few that are here are poetic, rich with sensory detail and a refreshing juxtaposition to the violence of daily life in ancient Greek mythology
• The details and dialogue illuminate beliefs and traditions that built these complex mythologies
• This book was quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I also learned about a subject that can be somewhat inaccessible without a skilled guide
• Beach book for feminist smarties, dark academia/Classics vibes that remind me toppling the patriarchy is a daily task

Throughout the politics and power struggles were gorgeous descriptions of daily life, romance, terrible tragedy, and inner struggles amongst the Greeks. Detail and dialogue pulled me into the characters complex existence.

When she turns to him, he is staring at her, motionless. He has the stillness of animals about him. She wants to lean forward and trace the scar on his cheekbone. The desire is so strong that she can almost feel it under her finger—it is like a crumpled leaf. “My queen,” he says. Nothing else. The morning sun falls on his olive skin, makes his eyes glisten like snow in the sunlight. She is breathless, and she can’t bear it. She picks up her dagger and walks away.

Clytemnestra herself is someone who was raised to be a fierce warrior (which Spartans had a very specific definition of, but she was a warrior in every senses of the word), and yet she still had to suffer through patriarchal oppression and violence. Her power didn’t save her from being a pawn, sacrificed by her own family. In ways, she fought against the inequality inflicted upon her, but she did not escape its effect on her worldview and self-image. When a man discussed his failings with her for the purpose of connection and intimacy, she was disgusted by his vulnerability.

“It shocks her, when he speaks of his failings and weaknesses. The only other men she has known to do that were Tantalus and Odysseus, but they would do it in a way that asserted their power. They spoke of their mistakes to achieve something, to soften and bend the world to their will. That was what Tantalus had done to win her over. Aegisthus doesn’t speak of his failures to gain a reward. His purposelessness appalls her.”

Because Clytemnestra held all of the qualities of a great leader, within the paradigms which she was born, she saw vulnerability as a poor choice, a lack of skill, weakness. It was a necessity to keep iron walls around one’s tender spots, and she showed us how this was done again and again. There are plentiful insights throughout the story that give the reader a deeper sense of the world and struggles in which the characters live.

“It is noble to be gentle, to save others from pain. But it is also dangerous. Sometimes you have to make life difficult for others before they make it impossible for you.”

“Your hatred consumes you,” Castor says gently. “But it also keeps you alive.”

Clytemnestra stops pacing. She can’t help smiling. “You say you don’t understand politics, Aileen, but you understand people. They are one and the same.”

If I were to change the novel, it would be to add more scenes in different locations, additional insights into the development of various relationships, and filling in the jump in time between Clytemnestra leaving her home of Sparta and becoming the captured wife of a tyrant. I wanted to see more of what was happening in detail in other characters lives at times. I wanted to travel to other locations and meet more magical enemies, but the story centered mostly on Clytemnestra’s home bases. I’m sure this is following the actual origins of her story, but I found myself wishing for more, more, more.

I absolutely recommend this book to lovers of retellings of Greek and Roman mythology, fans of dark academia (afterall, I always imagine myself studying the Classics while reading The Secret History), and readers who enjoys beautiful, descriptive writing.

4.5 stars. An astonishing debut. Well-written and compelling. A novel about the making of Clytemnestra. Love, hate, and power, and inextricably intertwined.

"'As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best...'

You were born to a king, but you marry a tyrant. You stand by helplessly as he sacrifices your child to placate the gods. You watch him wage war on a foreign shore, and you comfort yourself with violent thoughts of your own. Because this was not the first offence against you. This was not the life you ever deserved. And this will not be your undoing. Slowly, you plot.

But when your husband returns in triumph, you become a woman with a choice.

Acceptance or vengeance, infamy follows both. So, you bide your time and force the gods' hands in the game of retribution. For you understood something long ago that the others never did.

If power isn't given to you, you have to take it for yourself."

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

A feminist retelling of the myth of Agamemnon’s wronged wife and her family. Clytemnestra struggles to understand her own desires, even knowing the control and freedom she wishes she had over her own life.

I enjoyed the feminist rewrite of a lot of aspects of the story, but the tone was incredibly dry. It made me feel like I was reading a textbook instead of a dynamic story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

Not all Greek retellings are created equal. Clymenestra is a very good one. In the same vein as Circe by Madeline Miller, this novel offers insight in our modern world by reexamining the myths of the ancient one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me with an ARC of Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati. In exchange I offer my honest review.


Wow! What a gorgeous story - tragic and powerful written with lush lyrical prose and strong descriptive imagery. While I was already very familiar with Clytemnestra’s story, I was completely riveted by Costanza Casati’s retelling. I felt and ached on every page from the tragedies that befell Clytemnestra, her daughters and the other women of Greece. Clytemnestra is a character worth rooting for, she embodies a mother’s love and a femme fatale who will not be forgotten. There were so many plot lines and side stories which I found equally compelling.

I can’t wait to see what the author writes next. Highly recommend this book, which is available May 2, 2023.

Did Taylor Swift write "there is nothing I do better than revenge" for Clytemnestra?

3.5 This book was such a good debut! The author did a wonderful job of showing the WHY of Clytemnestra's anger and longing for revenge. The writing was usually really beautiful and poetic. I enjoyed getting to see the other Greek mythological characters and reading about a character I hadn't much before. It was often slow and the time jumps in the second half were off- her character didn't seem to develop at all over the course of that time. Overall, I enjoyed it but it wasn't on par with Song of Achilles or Circe for me.

I've always found Clytemnestra to be one of the most fascinating figures in Greek mythology, and I've always viewed her as a sympathetic character so I don't really need a retelling of her story to convince me she was wronged; I'm already there. This book does a good job of bringing her to life and making her a compelling character with complex struggles and motivations. I also really enjoyed the attention to detail in bringing her world to vivid life.

Pub date: 5/2/23
Genre: mythological retelling
Quick summary: Clytemnestra's story is told as it has never been told before. If queens are either hated or forgotten, she chooses to be hated.

Clytemnestra is one of the classic Greek mythology villains, and I remember reading about her in Aeschylus' Oresteia in college. This story starts earlier, with Clytemnestra's childhood in Sparta and her training as a warrior. I loved the way Casati wrote about her relationship with her sisters, including the infamous Helen. It was wonderful getting this early perspective, and it helped me better understand her motivations. This is a grittier and more violent retelling than some of the others recently published, but I felt that the violence fit with Clytemnestra's character. Despite its length, I read this book in one day because it was so immersive and propulsive.

If you enjoy mythological retellings, this is a must read!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best..." I love the whole trend of late that takes stories from Greek mythology and turns them on their heads giving the reader a different view of a story we are already very familiar with. This was an incredible novel. I loved every second of it and was drawn in from the very first sentence. It is brutal. It is ruthless. It is human. It is tragic.

From Amazon:
You were born to a king, but you marry a tyrant. You stand by helplessly as he sacrifices your child to placate the gods. You watch him wage war on a foreign shore, and you comfort yourself with violent thoughts of your own. Because this was not the first offence against you. This was not the life you ever deserved. And this will not be your undoing. Slowly, you plot.

But when your husband returns in triumph, you become a woman with a choice.

Acceptance or vengeance, infamy follows both. So, you bide your time and force the gods' hands in the game of retribution. For you understood something long ago that the others never did.

If power isn't given to you, you have to take it for yourself.

I love that we are shown what truly motivates Clytemnestra, how she became what she became and why. There is definitely a theme of family. The novel was extremely well written and was very evocative of space and time.

May thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital advanced reader copy. The novel will be out this Tuesday, May 2, 2023 and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

In the vein of Madeline Miller's Circe, Clytemnestra retells the story of the legendary queen Clytemnestra.

I love a female-focused take on Greek mythology, and Clytemnestra certainly scratched that itch. It was so interesting to watch her, in such a close way, spiral into the villain of myth. I felt like I was there, like I was right alongside her, thirsting for the same revenge she thirsted for.

Though this was a heftier read, all in all it went quickly, and I honestly found myself wanting more in the end. I loved what it had to say about power, about love, and about fear.

In a world where women are considered more property than people, when the myths we know are never about women (and if they are, they aren't good stories), ancient Greece in no place to be a strong and independent woman. Current retellings of ancient myths are giving us new voices for women who have lived too long in the shadows, either voiceless or villains, and Clytemnestra is certainly one of them. Constanza Casati's debut novel wipes away any other attempt to tell Clytemnestra's story and should, in my opinion, become THE go-to retelling of the Queen of Mycenae's story.

A princess of Sparta, Clytemnestra grew up strong, learning to fight, hunt, and wrestle just like all the other children. The only rule? Don't get caught. She protects her younger sisters, physically and emotionally, but is always closest to Helen. Her husband Tantalus is a king, and unlike the men she knows-he listens to her, respects her strength, and doesn't try to overshadow her. But when Agamemnon and Menelaus come to Sparta, things change and Clytemnestra's world changes too. Seeing a strong woman as a challenge, Agamemnon decides to have her for himself and kills Tantalus and their baby, forcing her to marry him. As queen of Mycenae, wife of a man she hates, and mother to his children, she tries to live a new life- but when Helen runs away to Troy and gives Agamemnon the excuse he wants to start a war with Troy, disaster strikes again.

If you know any of the stories of Clytemnestra, or the Trojan War, you won't be surprised by the basic plot. What I found wonderful was how well the author drew the reader into Clytemnestra's emotional life, easily making you feel her rage, pain, and grief and how it shaped her over her life. It balanced with her warrior nature and aggravation with the Greeks who felt they were better than her just because she was a woman. Over and over she has to prove herself, and does, and reminds them that her actions are the same as a man's- and a king's- so should be treated as such.

There is a short, sweet, set of letters between the siblings late in the book where they are trying to console Clytemnestra and you really get each sibling's thoughts and feelings (as opposed to Clytemnestra's) for the first time. This might be my favorite part of the book. It is completely different from the rest of the book, and feels a bit like we're looking behind the scenes at something personal and private that Clytemnestra would keep to herself. It is also a nice reminder that not all men in this world are horrible, since one of the letters is from her brother Polydeuces.

Clytemnestra is an absolute must read for anyone who enjoys retellings or even just stories about strong women. This is a book that doesn't read as if it was a debut novel- the writing is more confident and polished than you often read in a first book. I would love to see Casati write her next book for Medea, since we might be able to trust her to tell Medea's story with the same emotional honesty she showed Clytemnestra. Here's hoping!



I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Clytemnestra is nuanced, thoughtful, and thoroughly rooted in research. I was deeply invested in her life story and found her character development unparalleled in depth and breadth compared to almost anything I’ve read. Fans of Song of Achilles, Circe, and Ariadne can definitely find something here!

That said readers should be warned that wow, was this slowwwwwwwwww and comes in at 448 pages. It read almost like nonfiction and in my opinion, dwelt unnecessarily on the day to day minutiae of Clytemnestra’s life rather than propelling us through a story. The work spans decades and while there was much learning to experience through understanding of Spartan life, it did slow down the tale.

Also this is horribly sad and definitely ‼️content warnings ‼️ for violent loss of a child.

I did still very much enjoy Clytemnestra and have zero regrets for having read it. I learned a lot and feel richer for having experienced the thoughtful take on a historical female with a reputation for being cruel and powerful. There’s always more to the story.

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati is an amazing retelling of the classic Greek tragedy. The novel offers a fresh perspective on the well-known story of Clytemnestra, the wife of King Agamemnon. Casati brings to life the world of ancient Greece with richly-detailed descriptions of its people, customs, and beliefs. What sets this retelling apart from others is the feminist lens through which Casati examines the story. She gives a voice to Clytemnestra and offers an exploration of her character, challenging the traditional portrayal of her as a heartless and cruel woman. Overall, Clytemnestra is a beautifully-written and captivating novel that will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and Greek mythology. It offers a fresh and compelling take on a classic story and is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of female power in ancient Greece.

A big book = but an immersive read with terrific atmospherics and wonderful storytelling. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the story of Clyemestra (that's why you're reading this) or Sparta- Casati will wrap you up into her tale and have you turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Terrific.

I loved this retelling of the story of Clytemnestra. I'll be honest, for me, her story has a tendency to get overshadowed by that of her sister Helen. As I read the book, her story came back to me and I remembered what was coming. When your sister manages to start a large war just by leaving her husband for someone else, it does kind of make people go... oh yeah, she had a sister...

Anyway. I think this retelling did a great job showing her humanity. Yes, she had a temper and was very big on vengeance but really... after all of the things she had to go through because of Agamemnon, who wouldn't want vengeance? Hell hath no fury and all. That she held out as long as she did was actually impressive.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology, I would recommend this book. I very much look forward to more books by this author, and hopefully more retellings of other stories from mythology.