A familiarity with the Greek pantheon and many of the stories in Greek mythology is essential to understanding Hera’s quips and barbs and references—the source of much of the humor in the narrative. The women of Ithaca have been left alone for almost seventeen years since the men of their island left to fight with King Odysseus at Troy. From the perspective of Hera, this novel is a wide reaching twist on the classic myth, giving spotlight to the women of Ithaca as they defy the expectations of men and gods alike, showcasing flaws, ambition, and solidarity. It also puts into stark relief the oppressive chauvinism of Ancient Greece and its Lost Generation, those men who came of age during and following the Trojan War, too young to fight and die as heroes on foreign shores and without leaders, kings, fathers to guide them, or surviving a long and seemingly pointless war to be confronted with the limited fruits of victory.

What I did not do, was delve into the historiography of the period or dedicate myself to nine months of non-stop reading in academic libraries, and consequently have immediate imposter syndrome. But housed within that addictive pacing was deep and moving commentary on the lack of autonomy given to Grecian women and how cruelly they were often treated. Penelope's son Telemachus, intent on proving he is a worthy successor to his father, joins the militia movement that is training for fighting the raiders who target their island at regular intervals. As a woman, she cannot be seen ruling Ithaca in Odysseus' absence, but she also doesn't want her kingdom to be invaded while her husband is missing, presumed death – and so she threads the fine line between publicly being seen as timid and obedient, while cleverly pulling the strings behind the scenes until her son Telemachus is old, strong, and wise enough to take on the throne. What I wasn’t really prepared for was the lack of a solid plot and how true to Greek myth this world is.

Many years have passed since he sailed away to fight in the Trojan wars, taking all the men of fighting age with him. As Queen of Ithaca, she might seem like a regal, authoritative figure, but this is ancient Greece, and she wields little power. North takes the unusual step of telling the story through the first-person voice of Hera, the queen of the gods.

She also holds nothing back while voicing her own brutally honest opinions about some of the "heroes" and how poets and bards wax eloquent while singing praises of their exploits, often neglecting to mention the contributions of their female counterparts or the lesser known mortals who have played an important role in their success. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door.

It’s very much along the lines of if Themyscira was a secret society and Hippolyta, Wonder Woman and all the others were hiding their actions from the men. Using a goddess as the narrator is an interesting take - omnipresent, capricious, hiding her celestial light in the shadows - Hera can tell us what is in everyone's thoughts as a dispassionate observer. Claire North allows us to envisage the devastation to Odysseus' property inflicted by the suitors competing for his wife's hand, the plots which they hatch between them, the danger faced by his son Telemachus as he reaches manhood and thies for the first time poses a threat to Penelope's suitors.

I'm no classics scholar, but I know just enough to appreciate the skill with which she weaves in other stories - Clytemnestra's, most importantly, but also pirates and Egyptians - to imbue Penelope with even more agency and foresight. Pour ceux qui suivent mes reviews vous vous êtes sans doute rendu compte que j’adore la guerre de Troie même si je suis à jamais du côté des Troyens. A retelling of the Odyssey that focuses on Penelope and the women around her as they are shaped by overseeing goddesses, and in turn shape the course of Ithaca.She has become so much more sympathetic and interesting to me through these works, and I absolutely adored her in Ithaca.