The House of Atreus: Clytemnestra’s Bind by Susan C Wilson. From women-led publisher Neem Tree Press comes this fiery first instalment in an epic three-part Greek mythology series.
About the Author: Susan C Wilson is a working-class author from Scotland. She has a degree in journalism and a diploma in classical studies from the Open University. By day, she works as an administrator in the Scottish Courts, where she learns fascinating things about human nature. As a writer, Wilson aims to make ancient stories resonate with a modern audience. Her debut novel, Clytemnestra’s Bind was long listed for the Mslexia Novel Competition in 2019. Follow @BronzeAgeWummin on Twitter
About the book
The House of Atreus is spiralling into self-destruction — a woman must find a way to break the family curse...
Queen Clytemnestra's world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family, and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself. Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to Agamemnon. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten to destroy the family Clytemnestra loves once more.
From one of Greek mythology's most reviled characters — a woman who challenged the absolute power of men — comes this fiery tale of power, family rivalry and a mother's burning love.
Review
I am really enjoying the wave of mythology retellings, reimagining the myths and when told from the perspective of the women often delegated to secondary roles they can take on a power of their own. As Clytemnestra reminds us - women deliver kingdoms and kings. Something men like to forget or rather they like to suggest that it is a minor detail.
The author delivers the tragedy, the cruelty and the magnitude of power struggles in such a powerful way. The first few chapters are sharp jabs to the abdomen and quick bitter slaps to the face. Stories, lives and futures changed in small brutal moments of possession and power struggles. The lives of children, of infants, mean nothing to a man seeking revenge or wanting to eliminate future rivals.
Clytemnestra is almost disembodied from her emotional anguish when Agamemnon stakes his claim on his new queen. Deep inside a fierce fire of determination grows whilst she lives with the knowledge that her new husband has neither conscience nor scruple. Any future children will always live under a shadow of threat from a man who sees others as mere pawns in his games of power and war.
It's written with a brutal frankness, whilst embracing the emotional context, the complexity of the interwoven stories, and giving certain characters the time and attention they deserve. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to other readers and look forward to more from the House of Atreus.
Buy Clytemnestra's Bind at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Neem Tree Press; pub date 15 Jun. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.
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