4.5 stars

“Sometimes I fear that I am becoming the person I am pretending to be.”

A stunning debut that chronicles the rise of Queen Clytemnestra of myth, that dives deep into questions of family, power, revenge, and grief. Casati is an absolute master of characterization, painting each character so richly that they seemed to shine. Clytemnestra was a beautifully compelling and complex protagonist who stole my heart right from the outset, and I was preemptively grieving for everything I knew she was going to have to endure (being a big mythology nerd). The novel is centered around family and painstakingly details Clytemnestra’s relationships with her parents, brothers, sisters (especially Helen), her husbands, and her children. The author truly grasped how to portray each character’s motivations so that the reader can truly understand them, with the possible exceptions of Tyndareus and Leon - those were the only two that I somewhat struggled to grasp.
My only other critiques were that I felt that a few characters were underutilized (namely Timandra - I needed more!) and that it ended before the ending I would have expected in a seeming attempt to finish the story neatly and (somewhat) happily.
This book asks so many deep questions and I’ll definitely be coming back to this one for a reread before too long. If you enjoy mythology, complex characters, compelling psychology, and not putting up with the patriarchy’s bullshit, this is a must read. I’ll be eagerly awaiting Constanza Casati’s next publication, and in the meantime this will be a most welcome addition to my growing collection of retellings.


CW: rape and child rape, incest, child and infant death, child abuse, animal abuse, animal death, alcoholism, violence

Really enjoyed this book, especially getting to know Clytemnestra as a multifaceted human being, not just as a vengeful queen. Her backstory about her first marriage was really sad, and I liked how she and the young Spartan women were shown to be skilled in fighting from an early age. There are a lot of time skips though which feel lacking, especially the huge gap between Clytemnestra being forced into marrying Agamemnon to many years later when she already has three children. It felt like her emotions during those tumultuous times were just too difficult to tackle so the author conveniently ignored them. Agamemnon was described as a wicked, scheming villain right who doesn't hesitate to murder innocent children from the start. This is definitely a book for more mature readers due to its dark themes, but it provides a great modern feminist perspective on the classic stories of Greek epics and Greek tragedies which form a huge part of the (male-dominated) Western literary canon.

I loved this book. Clytemnestra was such a bad ass, and I was thrilled by her story. This retelling was harsh, and it demonstrated how hard life could be for women in the ancient world. Clytemnestra never let herself become broken, and her spirit made her a character that I rooted for. That being said, she was not perfect, which I appreciate. I like when an author allows their main character to exhibit flaws - it makes them seem more real, which in turn makes me feel more connected to them. This book grabbed me and didn't let me go. It is a quick read, in the sense that it leaves you desperate to see the story unfold (even when you know how it will end, if you're a Greek Mythology fan). The story is beautifully told - the writing is stunning. Clytemnestra's tale is not a happy one, but it is gripping and compelling. I really can't find any fault with this book at all.

I am not usually a fan of Greek mythology. I just find it a bit overwhelming because there is a lot going on with it. But I really enjoyed this one. Clytemnestra was such a strong female character and I loved that. I was really drawn into this story. If you don't really like Greek mythology give this one a try. Because I really liked it more than I thought I would.

This was a really interesting read that reminded me of Circe and Daughters of Sparta. I enjoyed learning more about Clytemnestra's life and reading another take on her characterization (my only other exposure to her being in Daughters of Sparta).

I have recently started dipping my toes into retellings/mythology and I have to say that this is one of the best books I have read in this genre. Loved the protagonist, the story, and the writing.

Clytemnestra, by Costanza Casati, is a book that aims to overturn your thoughts about Greek heroes by presenting the story of a woman who has historically been relegated to the shadows of the tales. Written in the tradition of Madeline Miller’s Circe, this debut novel focuses on Clytemnestra, daughter, sister, wife, mother, warrior and queen.

The story begins when Clytemnestra, daughter of Leda and sister to Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, is a princess living in Sparta, a place where women are trained in the martial arts so that they will only submit to the most vicious of men. Although Helen is the beauty, it is Clytemnestra who possesses intelligence, fierceness, and a desire to protect her family at all costs. By the end of the novel, Clytemnestra will have watched her brothers go off to adventure with the Argonauts and witnessed the fall of Troy as the Greeks reclaim her sister Helen from Paris, but the book is about the life of an incredible woman who endures a difficult marriage, suffers immeasurable loss, and exacts revenge upon those who have wronged her.

Clytemnestra features characters and stories from Greek mythology and will delight those who enjoy The Iliad and The Odyssey because it gives readers a chance to revisit these stories through a feminine perspective. There is a family tree located in the front of the book for readers less familiar with the traditional tales. I loved that characters like Leda, Helen, Penelope, Iphigenia, and Clytemnestra all become more than they are in the hands of traditional tale tellers. The book provides a harsh and beautiful look at the lives of women who suffer through great pain to find fleeting moments of love and happiness.

The writing is full of images that stay with you from the Spartan gorge when criminal bodies rot to the bathhouse where Agamemnon meets his fate, but the story truly sings when exploring the complex relationships between the women. Clytemnestra has been vilified in many stories, and forgotten in many others, but this novel celebrates her triumphs and explores her losses, and in doing so, elevates the lives and experiences of all the women whose stories have never been told. I truly enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

I knew little about Greek mythology, and nothing about Clytemnestra before reading this book. But I was quickly engrossed in the story, and the twists and turns it takes. I forced myself to slow down near the end, because I was sad for it to be over! This is an excellent book, and one that I will definitely be recommending. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While it took me about a hundred pages to get my footing in this story, I'm glad I stuck with it so I could enjoy the breadth and depth of Clytemnestra's story. At its core, I appreciate the story of a strong girl growing into a strong woman, beating the ever-mounting odds and being a source of inspiration for her readers.

I have always been fascinated with Greek Mythology, although it’s been 20 years since it was required reading in my AP English class. I wasn’t aware of Clytemnestra story, but I was hooked from the beginning of this telling. I don’t know how she endured. I’m not sure how she harnessed the rage. The level of patience and restraint she honed into a razor sharp blade throughout the years… the definition of vendetta. Men often mistake women to be the weaker sex. Attractive bodies meant to breed and bend, because of their simpering minds. They forget how protective we are of our children, and this is their downfall. This act will bring out the hidden qualities that men wear on their sleeves. Rage and sorrow paired with patience and cleverness equal a deadly combination. The outside world saw a bold, outspoken, fearless woman who prospered even when men were constantly trying to bring her down. What they didn’t see or care about was the festering wounds of a broken hearted mother whose loyalty would always be with her children. Or the will of a woman with no desire to ever be broken by a man. It was glorious. It was painful. I couldn’t put this book down.

This book was good! There is a glossy at the end, I felt it should've been to the front of the book to help out with terms as the book is navigated. Other than that, it was well written and a long read. Very informative and descriptive. Clytemnestra focuses on love, deception, death, as well as loyalty. Which is something Clytemnestra faces throughout the book. I had a love/hate relationship for her throughout the book, but I definitely recommend!

Full transparency… I’ve never heard of Clytemnestra. And boy am I glad I have now. She’s fearless! From beginning to end. I’d heard of her sister, Helen, but loved reading how much protection and love she had for her. Great detailed account - more of the human nature they possess - of Clytemnestra life. She was Queen. She was skilled. She was amazing …even if she was a cheater! Lol!

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati was a really thought provoking read. By utilizing the multiple different myths out there going from Helen to Clytemnestra I was able to see the lesser known ones branch together in a cohesive way that didn't get confusing, including when it came to Helen's portion with Thesus. ( One of the many different sides of Helen.) I love the in depth research which came down to nailing down time periods in a little more. When including Castor and Pollux which multiple other heroes of the time.

The emotional tumlt that speaks from the words that Clytemnestra and it tells you even more about the curse of the house of Atredi helps even more. I already know a lot from reading Greek and Roman history. But it gets visually graphic. The life of Sparta to the island of Mycene it really brings everything vividly to life. The harsh reality of being a women in that era. Clytemnestra link Helen was infamous eons later through what each Greek came home to.

I recommend this book if you are interested in the other side of Helen's story, Circe, Achilles etc. I received this ARC from netgalley and I'm posting an honest review.

There's been a trend in recent years for historical retellings, and Casati's book is the latest example. What separates it from the other retellings is that it's focused on choices and opposites. It personifies the idea of our lives being shaped by our choices, but possibly being defined by the choices of others too.

5 stars

This was a stunning book full of complex characters. I knew zero about Clytemnestra going into this and after reading it I just want to go research and learn so much more.
Casati has a beautiful way with words and her story telling ability. This book will be with me for a long time and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that tells the story of Clytemnestra. I was engaged from page one, and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author, not only told the stories of the characters, but delved into their emotions and cognitions to create depth and complexity. The reader starts with getting to know a clever, outspoken, strong, and fearless princess, and is taken on a journey through her rise to a fearless, powerful, and ultimately vengeful queen. In more than one way, this is a story as old as time. A strong and dynamic woman who spent her life fighting against the men trying to “tame” her, own her, and make her relinquish her power and submit. However, in the face of violence, loss and tragedy, she prevailed. She played the long game, but eventually took her justice.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc copy! I couldn’t put it down!

Brutal brilliance. A retelling from an unsung mythic queen. I will be waiting impatiently for more from Costanza Casati.

Even though I knew the basic beats of her life story and what would happen, I was still hanging on every word. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I put it down, which is what made it worth rounding up to a 5 for me. I also liked the format; having it split into sections made the time jumps less jarring. Clytemnestra is a masterpiece, especially as a woman with a lot of rage and a perhaps overdeveloped sense of justice myself. This is a morally grey protagonist done very well. I didn’t always think she made the right decisions and some things she does are just wrong, but I could always understand her motives. This is a Greek myth retelling that is absolutely worth your time.

Clyemnestra is a novel rich in detail that tells the story of a queen who we only know few things about. Though fiction, we hear a powerful story about a woman who lived at a time when it was a men's world, yet managed to thrive and rule. It's also a novel that is a fresh perspective of interpretation coming from Greek mythology that can be enjoyed by both lovers and those who don't care for Greek mythology alike.

This book is a must read for everyone and anyone! Personally, I couldn't put this book down from page one! I would love to see more books like this from Casati!

Costanza Casati's Clytemnestra is an enthralling, engaging read. It was so hard to put down! Readers who have read and loved Song of Achilles or Circe by Madeline Miller will thoroughly enjoy this feminist twist on the legend of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Casati depicts the brutality of Ancient Greece and the role women had to play in society with such fierce sincerity. Clytemnestra, the long suffering daughter of Sparta and queen of Mycenae, is a striking heroine who yearns to be free. Casati's slow burn of Clytemnestra's revenge moves quickly enough that the reader will feel incredibly satisfied when her plans come to fruition. The graphic depiction of sex, rape, and violence may be uncomfortable for some readers, and this book is definitely for mature readers.