Always obsessed with the beautiful mythical world she weaves... retelling with feminist views at the forefront

An utter amazing and enthralling story based on Sophocles’s plays. I enjoyed every minute and found it hard to put down, but I did notice some things the author and the editor might want to look at - a carriage in Ancient Greece? And Sophon the book-seller instead of Sophon the scroll-seller?

This book was so good. I have read a couple of Natalie Haynes books in the past, but this was definitely my favorite. I loved the way the story goes back and forth between Jocasta and Ismene’s perspectives. I love the twists and turns in the story and the slow build-up of drama. I also appreciate the slight changes to the original stories, which helps keel the reader guessing. It was a beautifully written tragic tale that would appeal to any fan of Greek retellings. I would definitely recommend this book.

Natalie Haynes's "The Children of Jocasta" is a modern retelling of Sophocles' famous tragedies of Oedipus and his daughter Antigone.

Like Haynes' previous bestsellers, "A Thousand Ships" and "Stone Blind," the author provides a fresh perspective by portraying the overlooked women of myth. In this case, she brings Jocasta and Ismene to the forefront through two intertwined vivid storylines recounting one family's great misfortune.

I strongly recommend this book as it has a gripping narrative that evokes the relevance of contemporary issues, including political discord, power dynamics, reproductive rights, and the repercussions of a pandemic mirroring present struggles. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down! A huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC.

Natalie Haynes is a master storyteller, and I love how she re-weaves mythology to be told from the female perspective. It's such a refreshing take on old classics.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, for a copy of The Children of Jocasta in exchange for an honest review.

3.5
I will read anything Natalie Haynes writes but even so I was a little hesitant about this novel. I am familiar with the story from Greek mythology but its maybe my least favorite of the Greek myths. I also haven't read the play by Sophocles so maybe I am the wrong person to be reviewing this - however I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this novel.

The Children of Jocasta is told from two different pov's and in two different times. In alternating chapters the readers learn about Jocasta as a young bride to her eventual rise as queen and in the other chapters we learn about Ismene, Jocasta and Oedipus's daughter navigating life in the years after her parents deaths.

Haynes really fleshes out these two (minor in the source work) characters making them both realistic, occasionally annoying, and sympathetic.

My one issue (and vaguely spoilers) is I felt like Ismene didn't get a chance to grieve for her brothers because she was too worried about her sister and about Thebes. Ismene is very strong and independent throughout the book so I think giving her that chance to not be strong would have been interesting. This is a very minor issue and didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.

There is also a twist in the final climax that I didn't see coming until the very end.

Overall I enjoyed this book and will definitely be scouring NetGalley for the next arc by Natalie Haynes.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

Natalie Haynes is an auto read/ auto buy author for me. I LOVE everything they write. I was gripped from start to finish, Natalie Hayes’ characters are always so fully formed and exciting to read. I’m a big fan.

I'm a sucker for anything ancient Greece related so this book pulled me in right away. I liked it a lot and thought it was a good book.