The Children of Jocasta

A Novel

By: Natalie Haynes

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

“Reinterprets two of Sophocles’ Theban plays, Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone. . . . the alternating structure proves powerful.”—The New Yorker

“A passionate and gripping account of a famously dysfunctional family. Haynes balances a fresh take on the material with a deep love for her sources, wearing her scholarship with grace, and giving new voice to the often-overlooked but fascinating Jocasta and Ismene.”—Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of The Song of Achilles and Circe

The New York Times bestselling author of Pandora's Jar and Stone Blind returns with a powerful retelling of Oedipus and Antigone from the perspectives of the women the myths overlooked.

When you have grown up as I have, there is no security in not knowing things, in avoiding the ugliest truths because they can't be faced . . . Because that is what happened the last time, and that is why my siblings and I have grown up in a cursed house, children of cursed parents . . .

Jocasta is just fifteen when she is told that she must marry the King of Thebes, an old man she has never met. Her life has never been her own, and nor will it be, unless she outlives her strange, absent husband.

Ismene is the same age when she is attacked in the palace she calls home. Since the day of her parents' tragic deaths a decade earlier, she has always longed to feel safe with the family she still has. But with a single act of violence, all that is about to change.

With the turn of these two events, a tragedy is set in motion. But not as we’ve known it.

©2018 Natalie Haynes (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

I preferred Sophocles' versions of the Oedipus and Antigone myths.

This is a very modern reimagining of the Oedipus myth. All of the main elements are there, but in this version, they are explained more plausibly than in the two Sophocles plays, Oedipus the King and Antigone. It is very well done, but leaves the real crux of the play somewhat unresolved. Ms. Haynes is a master story teller and also a brilliant scholar of ancient classics. Anyone who enjoys retellings of ancient myths will enjoy this version.

I really loved how she wrote Jocasta

This is a great story that actually focuses on the women in the Odipeus play

Natalie Haynes is always a treat

As usual, another enjoyable story retelling by Natalie Haynes. I always love these author’s works.

Spellbinding reweaving of the myth

Jocasta is here as I could not have imagined without the author, brave and fascinating, as are her family and children, redrawn around her with great suspense and clarity. Recommended.

interesting listen

I had heard of Oedipus very vaguely bc of Freud, so I can't judge how it differed from original stories but I enjoyed the characters and going between mother and daughter time periods and how it ended.

Wonderful!

Great retelling of the Oedipus story from a refreshing perspective. Well told and well read - a wonderful listen.

terrific telling of the story, with twists and turns coming from both antiquity and the imagination of Haynes

terrific telling of the story, with twists and turns coming from both antiquity and the imagination of Haynes

Enjoyable retelling

This was a interesting retelling of a classic story of familia tragedy 🎭 I look forward to listening to the authors others retelling

A Wonderful Retelling

Clever and unique, this version of the love story between Jocasta and Oedipus was surprisingly compelling. The children of Jocasta were all brought to life by examining them through a new lens, and allowing them all to shine. I am not usually a fan of Greek tragedy, but this fresh take won me over completely.

history as seen through different eyes

I like that I knew just enough about the original story that this one seemed earily familiar, but there were enough twists in the story to keep me interested in hearing another perspective