Ithaca

By: Claire North

Narrated by: Catrin Walker-Booth

From the multi-award-winning author Claire North comes a daring reimagining that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It’s time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . .

"North brings a powerful, fresh, and unflinching voice to ancient myth. Breathtaking." —Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom.

Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door.

No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus' empty throne—not yet. But as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war.

This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca's shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women—and their goddesses—that will change the course of the world.

Critic reviews

"Claire North brings a powerful, fresh, and unflinching voice to ancient myth—darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking."
—Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne, on Ithaca

"A fantastical nightmare so skillfully sketched that it felt like truth. And when it was done, I simply didn't want to leave... Compelling [and] beautiful."—NPR Books on Notes from the Burning Age

"There is no doubt that Claire North is an exceptional writer with a brilliant imagination and eloquent storytelling."—Nerd Daily on Notes from the Burning Age

"Consistently thoughtful fiction like this needs to be championed. I'll admit it, I'm a little in awe of the author. Her work is sublime.... Claire North deserves your undivided attention."—The Eloquent Page on 84K

"North is an original and even dazzling writer."—Kirkus on 84K

"Claire North is a true original, a master of ingenious plotting and feats of imagination."—Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls, on The Sudden Appearance of Hope

Brilliant tetelling of Penelope'sstruggle

Told through Hera, this story records the ever repeating victimization of women and clodish behavior of ancient patriarchy in Greece. Using the story of Penelope, wife of Odysseus we are given new characterizations of Agememnon, Clytemnestra, Electra, Orestes. additionally, we are treated to stories of women who lived deep internal inner lives as they struggled to gain strength and a voice withinin a world that considered females as having low value.

Failed to engage

There were moments of brilliance but there were not enough of them to keep me engaged through the numerous and unnecessary secondary characters. When Homer wrote about some of these characters he gave them a purpose within the story and a backstory that had meaning as the tale progressed. It felt as if Ms. North attempted to include every single one in this version of the tale which only served to bog down and confuse the story. I enjoyed the this actual variation of the tale but it was diluted too much by extraneous characters.

I listened to the audiobook, Caitrin Walker Booth has a wonderful speaking voice but she failed to engage me. She had minimal vocal inflections which felt at times almost monotone. I would have enjoyed the book more had I read it.

Ultimately I don't think it was any one thing that led me to give the book such an unflattering review. I loved all of Claire North's previous books. I was very excited by this book as Mythology has always been a keen interest of mine. I don't think I will read the other two books in this series.

Just okay

While I love retellings of Greek mythology, I found this story difficult to follow at times. Unnecessary details and characters took away from the storyline.

I loved listening to this book.

I’m a sucker for the retelling of myths, and I love the retelling from a woman’s perspective. I enjoyed the story telling and the twists and turns. I would have liked it if the storyline leaned into the female fighters more. The narrator was the best!

The Ending Made it Worth It!

I really struggled to get into this book initially. I didn’t quiet understand Hera’s perspective, so that threw me off. Towards the middle it started to get into a grove and I ended up enjoying it. I loved the parts with sarcastic humor - this book showed me a new side to Hera that is never told! She’s always villain, so it was a nice change of pace to see another side of her!