Iokaste: The Novel Of The Mother-wife Of Oedipus

by Victoria Grossack

For millennia the story of Oedipus - who, despite all efforts to avoid his fate, killed his father and married his mother - has captivated imaginations. Even more compelling are the experiences of his wife and mother, Iokaste. In Iokaste, she finally tells her story. As the book opens, Iokaste's brother Kreon tells his sister she must die. The sacrilege of her unnatural marriage is revealed; the queen of Thebes can either take her own life or be torn to pieces by an angry mob. She has until dawn to choose the means of her death. Horrified, Iokaste's daughter asks: How much of the truth did you know? And when did you know it? Iokaste answers these questions. Through the disappointment of her first marriage and the loss of her firstborn child, Iokaste learns the sacrifices demanded of a queen. When her husband dies, Iokaste and her brother contend with the dangerous Sphinx and contrive a plan to protect their city. Then the prince of Korinth claims the heart of the queen, and Iokaste finds herself involved in a relationship richer and more complex and than she ever imagined possible - but this very love threatens the destruction of all she holds dear.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Historical, Greece, Greek Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction

307 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NO SPOILERS!!!

On completion: The myth about Oedipus will, after reading this book, always mean more to me than just the twist and turns of the legend. It is strange to feel Jocasta's love for this man whom we know is her son. I think Jocasta's emotional reaction when she discovers the truth would be interesting to discuss in a group. A reader, knowing more than what Jocasta knows at certain points, is given a curious perspective; we feel both her passion and a definite disgust. We experience with her the discovery of the truth, an emotional ride indeed!

Intellectually the reader learns about the different gods of ancient Greece:

There before us, each in their proper place, were the gods of the royal house of Thebes. Mighty Zeus and his wife and sister Hera, the king and queen of heaven. Beautiful Aphrodite and the warrior Ares, the parents of Harmonia. Demeter, goddess of the harvest and Dionysus, descended from Kadmos himself. Sly Hermes, hardworking Hephaaestus, and wise Athena. Graceful Artemis, goddess of the hunt. And her twin brother Apollo, lord of healing And Poseidon, who was not just the lord of the seas, but the god of horses and the dreaded shaker of the earth. (85%)

These separate gods and goddesses are listed here, but many of them have also played pivotal roles in this myth. I have learned of their idiosyncrasies, the rituals and sacrifices they demand and how mortals perceive them. How people reacted to their gods' plans and what we today feel when life throws stones n our path are really quite similar!

Reading this book was lots of fun; it has been both entertaining and informative. I do wish the authors had ended with an authors' note. The myth has several variants. An expose explaining their choices would have been interesting. I was told by one of the authors, but will others get this information?

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I have read 53% of the book. I wondered when I began if it would sag in the middle and if the writing would be choppy due to there being two authors, each writing alternate chapters. The answers are NO and NO again! I see absolutely no difference between the different chapters. Rather than being choppy we have two authors who have put their heads together and given us double what perhaps one author could have provided.

Yesterday I read it many hours while traveling in a car. I looked up at one point and said to my husband, "This is good!" The story is exciting. Years and years ago I read Bullfinch's book on mythology. It certainly didn't bring to life the ancient myths as this does.

One fabulous quality of this book must be pointed out. I keep thinking this over and over again. The authors have made a time-period, with beliefs so foreign to our own, seem real and completely acceptable! How can I empathize and feel so close to these characters believing in fate and numerous gods. How is this possible to convince you I have chosen to quote a passage:

Democharus began the announcement, his rich voice booming across the heads of the crowd. "People of Thebes! The city gates are shut! And they will remain so, until a new king for Thebes is found!"…..

The herald continued. "In accordance with the will of Dionysus, as made known to us through his servant the Sphinx Melanthe: the new king of Thebes will be chosen through contest of wit! The contest will take place in three months' time, on the last day of winter; and the marriage will occur eight days later! These are the words of our regent, lord Creon! And of the god Dionysus!"

Silence held for a moment; then a ripple coursed through the crowd. Soon the common folk began to cheer; we had captured their interest. The contest would offer drama and spectacle, the wedding feasting and merriment. I relaxed my grip on the thyrsus. The peasants would no longer mutter that Thebes needed change: we were giving them change, by the will of a popular god – but this change we could control. (53%)

In addition I feel secure in the knowledge that the historical myth is properly conveyed. Many historical media sites have acclaimed the trustworthiness. I, myself, cannot judge, so I trust their views. So I am learning and enjoying myself at the same time.


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Some of the lines are so perfect:

Jocasta you're right, you're only part of a tapestry. But that's true for all of us. We are all strands woven into gods' great tapestry. You want to choose your own place, your own colors. But none of us has that choice - our fates are already decided. (15%)

What a beautiful way of expressing fate. Over and over again I am struck by how ancient beliefs seem feasible to me, a modern person. I am also stuck by the thought that these people were living 1500 B.C. It is amazing to be there among them living so long ago.

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ETA: after reading the first chapter.

One more thing: Jocasta is young, only 14 when she will wed the Crown Prince Alphenor. A woman/child of this age will certainly have a vivid imagination about love and sex. And yet she looks at her betrothed and feels NOTHING!

He approved of me, he seemed kind; surely these were good attributes in a husband. Yet still I felt nothing. His touch was warm but otherwise unremarkable. He squeezed my fingers lightly, and released my hand.

I must be dazed, still, from the prophecy - that had to explain my utter lack of interest. I felt as if I floated in a void, removed to some great distance. (7% through the book)

This struck a chord with me. This is the first meeting between the two. I happen to think that two people who love each other feel something at the start, and here there was nothing, nothing to build upon. Can you imagine one minute being told by the Prophetess Tiresias that she would marry, have a loving relationship and many children, and then she feels nothing..... Her confusion!

Religious beliefs current at this time period do not feel bizarre and strange to the modern reader. I loved Creon's explanation of historical events. His statements first appear heretical, and then he explains why there aren't at all! Or are they?! He stumps Jocasta and has the reader smiling. You have characters of a different time-period, but their thoughts and queries are very similar in nature to our own. If you follow the dialog you realize the ancient belief in numerous Gods and fate are not diametrically opposed to modern thought. It all depends on how you think it through. In any way, the reader is left feeling comfortable with these characters who have a religious belief system so different from our own.


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Most of us know the general story of Oedipus, the man who killed his father and slept with his mother. This is general knowledge. I have always been curious to know more details. The poet Homer refers to this myth, and it is originally described in plays by Sophocles written 500B.C. The myth itself is said to have occurred during the Greek Bronze Age, which I believe is about 1500 B.C. Many of us already know more of the mythical details. I will not mention them here. that could be a spoiler for some. The full story is more involved, and although there are several versions, particularly of the ending, reading this book will put meat on the bones of my sketchy knowledge. I want to fall into the story, be there in the ancient times and experience firsthand what happens.

I want a novel to grab me from the start. Honestly, why must one struggle through the first 100-150 pages? I have only read the prologue and the first chapter. It is exciting from the very start! Jocasta, Oedipus' mother and wife will die before dawn breaks. And so she tells to her daughter, why and how these terrible events have come to pass. Jocasta had not known that Oedipus, her husband, was also her son. How did this happen? That is the story. Right smack in the first chapter you are there when the Prophetess Tiresias speaks the words of Apollo and declares who will be the next Queen of Thebes. The prophetess is blind; this is a requirement for the position. She blinded herself! There is a choice between four girls. Each girl has a different temperament and through the authors' words you have already begun to understand their temperamental differences. What kind of person is Jocasta's brother, Creon, who bring to her a vial of poison so she need not be torn limb by limb at dawn? I feel I have already begun to distinguish different character traits of the individuals. I see the clothes they are wearing. The prophetess, Queen Niobe, Jocasta, her brother, Jocasta's nurse: each are each dressed differently in clothing appropriate to their rank. Their actions and words depict different character traits. Thebes is described: the food served, the house construction, the sun. the noises... Well, I like it. This is how I want a novel to start.

At the site presenting this book and several other books which the authors have written together, I have found a map, a pronunciation guide (where I can hear the correct pronunciation not just read it) and an interesting article on how two authors work together. That does seem tricky, doesn't it? Here is a link to the site where all this is available: http://www.tapestryofbronze.com/index... I always need a map.

I want to see if the suspense and my engagement will continue. I want to see if the story lags in the middle. I want to see if I can distinguish which author has written which chapter, or will the writing be smooth? So far I am more than pleased. So far this is a great read.


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BEFORE READING:

I have for a long time been curious to know more about the Oedipus myth. Then I heard about this book, and saw the following reviews at Amazon:

A real page-turner . . . a wonderfully nuanced novel that repays previous knowledge of its subject matter - but never requires it" -- Historical Fiction Review, August 15, 2004

...very easy to stay engrossed in Victoria Grossack and Alice Underwood's story of Oedipus, told by his wife/mother Iokasta -- Ancient History About, February 1, 2005, N S Gill

An absorbing, quasi-historical portrait of ancient Greece ... well-balanced update that maintains the original mythic suspense. -- Kirkus, May 2005

Enthralling from cover to cover ... I'd recommend "Iokasta" to anybody who likes authors who write intelligent stories for intelligent readers. -- Actuarial Review, February 2005

The authors bring the turmoil of ancient Greek mythology to life...not only educational, but a page turner -- BPC Broadsheet, October 28, 2004

I read a snippet and liked the prose style. And then I happened to meet Victoria Grossack, one of the two authors, here at GoodReads! She wanted to know my honest opinion of her book. Of course I was terribly flattered. So now I am reading this book which she has leant to me via Kindle! Nice huh?!

[Libbie Hawker (L.M. Ironside) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jocasta: The Mother-Wife of Oedipus is a terrific re-imagining of the familiar Oedipus myth, set in "the real world," so that the myth's more fantastical elements feel as if they could have happened in real, non-magical history. Authors Grossack and Underwood have taken meticulous research into ancient Greek history and blended it seamlessly with the particulars of the Oedipus story. It's an enjoyable read, fast-paced and highly accessible, with a narrative voice that's simple enough to appeal to young readers and adults alike (although of course we're talking about the Oedipus story here -- obviously it might not be appropriate for all young readers!)

I particularly enjoyed the creative way the authors worked the riddles of the Sphinx into a believable, real-world setting. Melanthe the Sphinx, in fact, was my favorite character in the book. Her transition from would-be Theban queen to wild, animalistic Maenad, and her reason for being called the Sphinx, were, I thought, very clever. Melanthe reminded me of one of my favorite characters in fiction, Occula from Richard Adams' Maia. Melanthe may have been the highlight of the book for me; I am secretly hoping her tale will be added to the Tapestry of Bronze series.

Other characters in the book were also well-defined. Creon, Jocasta's brother, struck me as being unique and reliable (in terms of character definiton) and Antigone was delightful as the surly teen girl. Laius, Niobe, Pelorus, Jocasta's ultra-religious father Menoeceus, -- there were so many well-defined, individual characters in this book.

And that brings me to my chief complaint with the book, and the reason why it rated three stars for me, and not four.

I never felt sympathy for Jocasta, the main character and narrator. She starts out as a deeply self-centered teen girl, so focused on herself...that even the deaths of dozens of citizens, including her handsome betrothed, don't merit more than a passing thought for her. One of the authors stated in a discussion on the book that their decision to make Jocasta a self-centered teen was a deliberate choice, because of her age at the time. And that decision makes sense, but perhaps they went a bit too far for this reader's taste. Jocasta comes across as so selfish early on that I never found any sympathy for her at all...so that even in the scene where her infant son is taken from her arms moments after his birth, I felt nothing for her plight. I found it impossible to connect with her, so that the emotional impact of the book's well-known climax lost much of its potential power.

On the subject of Jocasta, I found it implausible that she was the beloved of all Thebes. Yes, she was a gorgeous young woman, but what did she do for Thebes to earn the oft-mentioned adoration of the people? Many characters in the book assure Jocasta, and she assures herself, that she is an excellent ruler, unlike her drunkard husband Laius. Yet we never see evidence on the page of her just or wise rule. I do not recall any political scenes, in fact, where Jocasta made crucial decisions that set her apart from the other characters as an excellent ruler. In fact her one big opportunity to prove herself better than Laius was squandered: When Laius institutes tribute payments to King Pelops, Jocasta gripes about it with her brother but never does a thing to counter Laius' actions, and we never find out why. It's not until she marries Oedipus fifteen or twenty years later that the tributes are halted, and that's Oedipus' work, not hers. Her frequent lauding as a great queen -- or at least a more competent ruler than Laius -- felt unfounded to me.

Despite its flaws, this novel had plenty of strengths in its pace and supporting characters. The prose itself was more spare, less richly descriptive, and more "young adult" in tone than I tend to prefer, but that's merely a personal preference. It was well written and stayed true to its style throughout -- an accomplishment in any book, but particularly one that's co-authored. I enjoyed it enough that I look froward to reading the rest of the books in The Tapestry of Bronze series, particularly the one about Chloris and Niobe. And I will continue to harbor my hope that Melanthe will get a novel of her own!

[Iset · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the tradition of Mary Renault’s duology The King Must Die and The Bull From The Sea, Grossack and Underwood have decided to go down the route of taking a classic Greek myth and grounding it firmly in historical reality, and part of the interest in Jocasta when one already knows Oedipus’ story is not just from seeing how the authors have crafted the prophecy’s unravelling, but discovering how they handle and explain the fantastical elements of the myth – how could creatures like the Theban sphinx be grounded in historical reality, and how did Tiresias manage to live so long and switch genders in the Oedipus myth? It’s interesting to see what explanation Grossack and Underwood come up with.

It also makes perfect sense that in Grossack and Underwood’s version of the myth Jocasta has little or no knowledge of the prophecy passed on to Laius that his son will grow up to murder his father and marry his mother – in the myth it seems harsh to our modern sensibilities that the two parents upon hearing this prophecy would happily agree to expose the baby, and also strange that years later Jocasta would not be able to connect the dots and realise who Oedipus was until it was far too late. By creating a rift between Laius and Jocasta and making her unawares of the prophecy about her son, it maintains her sympathetic character in the eyes of the modern reader and explains why she doesn’t realise the terrible truth until much later.

Although the story of Oedipus is reasonably well known and the ending didn’t come as a surprise to me, telling the tale from Jocasta’s point of view was a fresh angle on the myth, and the drive to get to the end was still there because as a reader you still want to know how the iconic tale unspools, who discovers what first and how do the confrontations play out and the revelations affect the characters. Reading Jocasta really reminded me of reading classic Greek myths as a little girl, there was that sense of warm nostalgia, but there was something different about it: telling Jocasta from the first person perspective transformed the epic adventure tale into something more intimate, and I think really lets the reader connect with Jocasta and her story.

The writing style was clear and easily accessible, there were the usual odd typos once in a while but nothing that really made me stumble or interrupted the flow, and it was easy to get caught up in the story and tell yourself that you’ll read just ten more pages and have it turn into fifty pages. I think the story would be as easily accessible and enjoyable to young adults and teens as I found it, although since it does on one or two occasions deal with quite adult themes I would steer clear of recommending it to younger children. The level of detail in the descriptions dropped in just enough of the quirky information of the environment and daily life of the world that the characters moved in to intrigue and delight without becoming overblown, longwinded or pompous.

The reason why I didn't give the novel full possible marks is really because a couple of reasons, nothing major that marred the story or really glared, but just niggles. I would have liked a little more epic scope - exploration of the wider world in which Thebes sits - and exploration into the dark hearts of the characters and their driving motivations. Also I felt like the story went by too quickly - I wanted more! More going on, more filling in of the years in Jocasta's life that we only get an overview of in the book - but this was a good niggle in a way because I wanted more of what I was getting.

All in all, enjoyable, entertaining, a really interesting take on the Oedipus myth.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: For the sake of honesty, I picked up this book after one of the authors sent me an email. She had noticed that I placed a later book in the series on my TBR shelf and recommended reading them in order.

The concept behind this novel is interesting, and the writing is compelling. Taking the story of Oedipus, Grossack and Underwood recast it though the lenses of Jocasta, adding more depth to a woman who was known solely for her relationships.
The writing is good, and in particular, the inversions and solving of riddles of the story – such as the Sphinx, are great. They get huge bonus points for the Sphinx twist. It’s strange then, that the central character of Jocasta is one that needs more depth. In some ways, she is just as unknowable in the novel as she is in the myth. Part of this is because of her reaction when the truth about her second husband is revealed. Quite frankly, shouldn’t there be some more internal conflict, and part of it is that I am never quite sure why the people seem to think that she is a good queen, other than the fact that she shows herself to the people.
It isn’t a lack of skill on the part of the author, Jocasta’s brother Creon is a fascinating done character, but perhaps limits of the character herself. It is this limit that makes the good, but not great. I shouldn’t find myself wondering more about Niobe, say, than Jocasta.
I will, however, be reading other books in this series.

Crossposted at Booklikes.

[Terence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: Two-and-a-half stars

Jocasta falls just short of three stars for two reasons, which I’ll detail below.

First, a precis: The novel recasts the myth of Oedipus as told from the titular character’s point of view (hopefully, I shouldn’t have to recount the traditional version of the myth?). Though the authors have elected to largely abandon any supernatural elements, for example, the Sphinx is Melanthe, the half-Egyptian Maenad priestess of Dionysus, who poses the potentially fatal riddles to the suitors who come to Thebes after Laius’ death, there’s the Tiresias (the prophetic mouthpiece of Apollo), who does seem to channel a divine will when she (he) utters her (his) dooms.[1]

The Tiresias prophesizes that fourteen-year-old Jocasta will be queen of Thebes and marry its most famous king. She is chosen for Alphenor, the heir-apparent to Thebes’ rulers Amphion and Niobe. But on the night of the betrothal, Niobe blasphemes, the Tiresias curses the family, and all but one of the royal children die. The next day, Amphion is torn apart by a mob, and Niobe goes mad. Jocasta and her family are at a loss, especially in light of the prophecy, but things soon appear to be looking up when Laius, a son of a former Theban king, returns from exile in Pelops’ city of Pisa (Olympia), claiming the throne and Jocasta. The night of the wedding things do go well. Jocasta falls in lust at the sight of Laius, and Laius reciprocates the feeling. But soon after the couple consummates the marriage the prophetess tells Laius that any son of his will kill him. The king attempts to repudiate Jocasta but he has no cause, and – of course – she’s already pregnant with Oedipus. Nine months later, the newborn is torn from Jocasta’s arms and Laius has it exposed, or believes that the man he sends to do it, has done it. The novel passes over the next twenty years quickly. Laius continues to send tribute to Pelops and, living in fear of conceiving a son, never touches Jocasta again. Though Laius proves a most inept king, Jocasta and her brother Creon rule the city, and make it prosperous despite the tribute.

The story picks up when Laius decides to consult the Delphic oracle. As in the traditional version, he meets an unrecognized Oedipus on the way to Delphi, there’s an altercation, and Oedipus kills him. Subsequently, Creon organizes a competition in Thebes to find a new husband for his sister: Whoever can answer the riddles of Melanthe, the Maenad high priestess, will become the next king of the city. Oedipus shows up to participate, and as with Laius, Jocasta is smitten at first sight. Because Oedipus is the supposed son of Corinth’s king and an alliance with that city would counter the power of Pelops, Creon conspires to ensure that the youth wins the contest.

Again, the next two decades are glossed: Jocasta and Oedipus rule an ever more fortunate Thebes, and they have four beautiful children: Antigone, Ismene, and the twins Eteocles and Polynikes. And then everything goes sour when Jocasta’s relationship with her husband comes out.

Why not three stars (or more)?

One reason is the writing. It’s just “meh” – competent but not particularly beautiful or elegant. And there are anachronisms that jar the reader out of the early Iron Age setting, making her wonder if a Mycenaean Greek would have actually said that.

I could have forgiven such clumsiness, however – as I have with other authors – if Jocasta had been a more compelling character, but she has no arc. The child of the first chapter is not all that different from the fifty-plus-year-old woman of the final chapter. Jocasta comes across as rather clueless and passive, particularly in the hands of her brother, whose personal ambitions, machinations and political acumen are what keep Thebes strong. I can accept that a fourteen-year-old girl, growing up insulated from the hurly-burly of politics, would be at sea when suddenly thrust onto center stage. But if I’m to continue to be interested in her at all, she has to show some maturation over the course of the twenty and forty years that the last two-thirds of the novel encompass. It’s difficult to see that in this version of Jocasta.

I was impressed by how the authors euhemerized the myth. It worked for me, though I’m still puzzled about the role of the Tiresias, the one ambiguously supernatural element. In the end, though, the book reads like a first or (at best) second draft. There’s a potentially interesting character in Jocasta, and you can see the glimmerings of potential in Cleon’s and Oedipus’ but they’re not drawn sufficiently well to make me recommend the book. On the other hand, if you like this genre (as I do), it may be just good enough to warrant a perusal.

[1] Tiresias is a title for the blinded person who speaks for Apollo. In the beginning, the post is held by an old woman. When she dies, her successor is Jocasta’s father, Menoeceus.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit to being mostly unfamiliar with the Oedipus myth before I read this book. My knowledge was pretty much limited to "man kills father then marries his mother". I didn't know any of the details or nuances to the story. So I can't really say whether this is an accurate retelling or portrayal of the myth. I can only really discuss this story on its own, and in that light, it was good.

I had three major issues with this book (and incest wasn't one of them).

First, I didn't much care about Jocasta as a teen in the beginning of the book. I didn't dislike her, I just didn't care about her at all, which is in my opinion worse than dislike. She lived in ancient Greece, in a time where arranged marriages were common and expected, and yet her attitudes seemed out of place and far too modern. She rebels against a switch in her marriage plans after the first one becomes impossible, on the grounds that she's never even met the man she's now supposed to marry. So? Throughout history, women and girls have been married off to men (usually much older men) that they'd never met.

In a society where almost everything is at the will of the gods, and prophecy holds sway over all, why should one girl feel like she's being mistreated by her father handing her off to a different man to become her husband? Why should she expect anything else? This just seems like a more modern mindset than I would expect from a girl who lived then, as if she was expecting a marriage for love and respect instead of one arranged for power, alliances, or "the will of the gods".

Also, there was insta-love. Not a fan the insta-love. Probably this was due to the prophecy, which stated that she would love her husband and bear him lots of little Thebans, but it just felt like modern teen behavior to fall in love with the first attractive, powerful man to show her some attention.

Finally, the terms "my lady", "my lady queen", "my lord", and "my lord king" used throughout the book felt out of place to me. In a conversation with Victoria Grossack where I brought this up, she said, "[Regarding] Lord/Lady – Bronze Age Greece definitely had both nobles and kings/queens. We decided on these terms as the most accessible, giving the correct flavor without having readers stumble over unfamiliar terms such as wanix and spartoi."

While I can understand this decision, for me, it didn't work. Every time I would see "my lady queen" or the like, I would feel as if I was in England rather than Ancient Greece. Rather than helping immerse me in the world, they kick me right out of it. I'd personally rather "wanix" and "spartoi" be used if those were appropriate. As long as I'm given an explanation for an unfamiliar word, either outright or by context, then I'll acclimate to their use.

But those complaints aside, I did eventually begin to gel with the writing, and once Jocasta was out of her teens, I definitely began to like her more. There was a lot of political maneuvering and religious practices that give us an idea of what living back then might have been like. I liked how things were hinted at, and left interpretable.

I liked also how the more fantastic elements of the story, the prophecies and the Sphinx, were brought into the realm of the real world, and it was shown how these things could have really happened.

Overall, this was a good book. I would have liked a little more information pertaining to what happened after, but I thought that the ending was appropriate.

Two things to remember:
1) Never ask the Tiresias to dinner.
2) Thebes is fickle.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have 82 books that I have purchased from library book sales staring at me from my bookcases. The majority of them have been on the "Bestsellers" list. Many of them I am grateful to have discovered through Goodreads. I am looking forward to reading every one of them. So imagine my surprise when, after years of paying $1-$4 for books, I decided to not only pay for a book at regular price online, but I bumped the book to the front of my TBR pile! Clearly Jocasta's Gods were infuencing me. Let me tell you, they didn't steer me wrong! I loved everything about the book. I do not want to give any spoilers away, so I will let you read others more in-depth reviews. Chrissie's review on Historical Fictionistas is what originally peeked my interest. Just know that you will not only get your money's worth, but you also get extra bonuses as well. If you are visual like me, there is map of the city of Thebes in the front of the book for reference. You also can go to www.tapestryofbronze.com to HEAR the correct pronunciation of names. You don't even want to know how I was pronouncing some of them in my head an hour into the book. Hearing it made it more enjoyable. Along with the book being a page-turner, I like that I learned about the different Gods and what each was worshipped for. Definitely worth the bump up to the front of my TBR pile and money well spent :)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing story, very well written. I read it from the original edition, then gave it to a friend, and it went out of print before I could get another copy... glad to see it's available again.

[Belles Livres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those, whether you know the story or not, you will enjoy. It is one where you feel you are with the characters right away, inside the story, in their scenes. The characters are all vibrant and different: Jocasta, Creon, Laius, Oedipus, the Tiresias (three different Tiresiases!), the Sphinx, and even the various servants.

The heroine, Jocasta, is sympathetic and believable. She’s beautiful, of course, and although I have a slight prejudice against the tendency of authors to make their characters beautiful, I don’t think the story would work otherwise. At least the authors don’t make her perfect – she hates her husband’s mistress, who is more trapped in her bad situation than Jocasta – but she is charming. I was reminded a little of the Diana-Charles-Camilla triangle, with Jocasta in the position of Diana. But don’t let that comparison stop anyone from reading this!

When Oedipus appears, she does fall rather quickly in love, to which some might object. But attraction between many people is instantaneous, and in this case it is more believable because on one level she recognizes him.

Many scenes really grabbed me. The birth of Oedipus; Oedipus’s riddle-scene with the Sphinx; Jocasta’s temptation when she realizes that Pelorus-Tiresias has figured out her secret. Mostly this is a book about secrets. They all have them, and eventually they all get exposed.

One small quibble because I read the Niobe prequel trilogy, which I also heartily rcommend: the authors changed the spelling from Kreon to Creon. Both are transliterations, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

Some may think that with all these hard names, that it’s going to be a hard book. It is not a hard book. Nor is it a shallow book. Despite the suck-you-in nature of the story, deeper issues are explored. Many Greeks had an attitude that your score at your death determined whether or not you led a happy life – but Jocasta challenges this, and challenges those around her, to live and love despite what the Fates have planned.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins with Jocasta facing a crucial turning point in her life and so she recounts to us all her tale. The book begins well and culminates in the final few chapters. Not once was I tempted to put the book aside due to lack of interest - this story will hold your interest until the very end. If only I could have read it in one sitting I would have. A must read for those with an interest in the much maligned women of Greek mythology.

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

super intense ... almost painful (but in a good way)

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid retelling of the Oedipus myth told from the point of view of Jocasta, although some things weren't entirely to my liking.

Good things first, I really liked how the authors presented the mythological and fantastical elements of the story in a realistic way. My favourite was the re-imagining of the Sphinx figure. It was very clever and worked really well.

I also liked the fact that the book had plenty of political intrigue and machinations. In this sense, the character of Creon was by far my favourite of the book. He was cunning and shrewd, and his motivations often ambiguous. I liked how he acted for the good of the city (and his own good as well) and didn't shy away from doing terrible things. Of course, he wasn't a completely positive character, but his complexity made him remarkable and intriguing.

Instead, what disappointed me the most was the character of Jocasta herself. At first I didn't mind her, but I was waiting for her to become a more compelling figure: however, it never quite happened for me. Despite the fact she was presented as a good and capable queen, her political acumen was never really shown and I didn't like some of her choices. Especially, I couldn't believe that she stayed with Oedipus even after discovering he was her son and tried to cover it up... no, it just didn't work for me.

All in all, however, this was a good retelling and I will definitely try other books by these authors.

[JoLene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel Jocasta: The Mother-Wife of Oedipus is a retelling of the myth of Oedipus from the woman's point of view. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this story, as the Oedipus myth is not one of my favorites -- partly due to the ick factor. However, this re-telling focuses on the entire live of Jocasta from her teen-age years to her death and the story makes it seem somehow plausible for the events to take place. One of the things that I really loved is that the mystical elements of the story were given real world explanations, but I don't want to give them away in the review.

The story reads a bit like a young adult novel (which I love to read so it's not a put-down), going from vignette to vignette, but for me, without some of the deeper connection to the character of Jocasta. The reader follows Jocasta as she matures from a teenager who has just been chosen to marry the prince to her life during her 40 year reign as Queen of Thebes. I understand how events could have happened, but I didn't really like her very much. Also, she talks about how she is a great Queen, but I didn't really see a lot of example of her being a good queen. I suppose that might have slowed down the story.

The authors have done an amazing job of weaving period details into the fabric of the story. However, because the story is told from in the first person, sometimes there is not a lot of explanations for why things were done a certain way. The role of the gods features prominently throughout the work and I enjoyed the descriptions about how the gods played together and with the humans.

All in all, it was a good story about Bronze age Greece. Although I already knew the main plot points, the authors managed to keep the suspense. Also, I should mention that this book was co-written by two authors ---- this was the most seamless collaboration that I've ever seen. I hope to pick up some of the other novels in the Tapestry of Bronze series soon.

[Julia Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to win the e-book version of this novel in a group giveaway at Historical Fictionistas. I got a bit behind having been down for the count with the stomach flu last week, but I was looking forward to reading this book. I was a little nervous that it would be a bit dry, and I'm happy to report that this wasn't the case. The book read fast for me, and I found myself immersed in Jocasta's world. Despite an interest in mythology, I knew little more than the basic story of Oedipus prior to reading this one. I love how the authors took the story and expanded it into a novel told from Jocasta's point of view.

It's one of those stories where you know what happens, so it's really about the journey rather than the destination. And this journey is a good one!

[Holly Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you don’t know the story of Oedipus in ancient Greek mythology, this take on “how it may have unfolded” rewards greatly. Jocasta, queen of Thebes is given a human side. Jocasta and her brother Creon are embroiled in political intrigue. She wants both love and the best for Thebes, struggling with the conflict the two bring. The authors take the Greek myth and demystify it. Tension and suspense drive the plot. The period detail is impressive. What appears to be a heavy subject is remarkably illuminating and accessible.

There will be two sequels highlighting other figures from ancient Greece.

Read as part of the Historical Fictionistas Featured Author program.

[LemonLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is steeped in Greek mythology, it reads much more like historical fiction than fantasy. Those who are connected to the Greek Gods are seen as humans, albeit royal humans. And the story of Oedipus is told through the eyes of Jocasta, his mother-wife and Queen of Thebes. For those who previously knew the story this becomes a most readable and reasonable explanation of their relationship and how it could have come to be. For those that do not know the mythology, read it and you will be totally absorbed in the story.

[ladywallingford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oedipus myth has never been one of my particular favorites; however, the authors brought it to life in such a manner that made it very believable and realistic to Greek history. I very much enjoyed the story, especially since it was told through the eyes of Jocasta which provided a refreshing and dynamic perspective to the original Oedipus story that the reader did not have in the original myth. This book is a definite must-read for anyone interested in Greek mythology.

[Titus Pullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

High intensity. Recommended to those who thought Oedipus Rex was too awkward! Can serve as a good companion book to Sophocles. Get Jocastn's perspective, instead of Oedipus's; a novel, instead of a play; told during the night, instead of the day. Like a reflection only more accessible (and more logical) than the original. Of course, kudos to the original, too!

[Faith Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and fascinating look at the Oedipus story from Jocasta's POV. Wonderful historical detail. I particularly liked the way the authors provided realistic explanations for mythic creatures and godly interventions. The characters were of there times in attitudes and actions.

[kostas vamvoukakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

καταπληκτικη αφηγηση , μαγικη ιστορια

[Kirre Ranin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the tragic tale of Oedipus, it has been made in to plays in ancient times and in the present. Heck! Freud named a complex after him and in true character to the ancient greek stories this is a tale both of misery and happiness with a squick factor.

Summary:
Jocasta is to be the Queen of Thebes, wed to the King. When her betrothed dies and the new King Laius – newly returned from Pisa – is to be her husband her happiness is cut short. As Jocasta grows to be the true ruler of Thebes with her brother Creon at her her side the city flourishes. Then while travelling to Delphi King Laius is killed. Since a sole Queen on the throne is frowned upon a contest is to be held for the fortunate man to be the new King of Thebes with Jocasta as their bride. Amongst the contestants is the handsome young man Oedipus whom Jocasta falls in love with and he with her. Prophesies are proclaimed and the powers against Thebes seem to be more crueler and twisted than before.

This is a continuation from The Niobe Trilogy, but was written earlier from the timeline presented in this books first pages. It was originally names Iokasta in the greek way, but was changed for simplicities sake. And unlike The Niobe Trilogy the book isn’t written in third person, but first, for those who prefer one or the other.

The writing is brilliant as always. The plot we know already, but the characters are in the end whom we care about. Jocasta is truly an innocent in the beginning and learns and becomes a sole ruler of Thebes in all but name. Her craving for love is truly heartbreaking when knowing her story and her brother Creon, who is as ambitious as Pelops (sensing a theme here with protagonists with plotting brothers in this series), but more kind and caring – if not a little cold sometimes. There were moments when I suspected some incest between Jocasta and Creon with the way Creon treated her, but then again it is a large theme of the story so to add this to it might have been intentional or I am really looking too much in to it so take this observation with a grain of salt. Or read the book and tell me what you think.

Oedipus, poor man. He is an innocent in this and it’s just heartbreaking the way the story goes because he is truly so good and kind and smart and then – since The Fates must have their ways there is more sadness than disgust when it comes to what happens to him. It really feels like wrenching at the twisted heart strings in my chest when it all came to happen. Then again this is greek tragedy, what else was I to expect.

You can listen to this book since it has an Audiobook, you can read it on Kindle as well as buy the paperback. I highly recommend it, like do all of the Tapestry of Bronze series. If you like ancient greek, tragedies or are just curious then read it in any form you want because it’s worth the price.

[Lauralee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually 2.5 stars

Oedipus is one of the most tragic stories in Greek mythology. The myth explains that one cannot escape one’s fate. This novel retells the myth, but through Jocasta’s eyes. Jocasta is also a victim of fate. No matter how powerful she is as a queen of Thebes, she was powerless in preventing her own horrific destiny from coming true.

I found Jocasta to be a hard character to like. She is a very vain woman. She believes that she is the most beautiful and wisest queen Thebes ever had. She is very selfish. She doesn’t care if any of her actions will cause harm to others as long as she benefits from it. She manipulates the people around her. She is also very ruthless at times and is willing to kill whoever stands in the way of her happiness. With these qualities, it was hard to find anything good in Jocasta. Even though she is the protagonist of the story, she is more of an anti-heroine. Her actions brought severe consequences to her loved ones.

Jocasta suffers from being told rather than shown. The reader does not know what makes Jocasta a good ruler to her people. The reader is told by Jocasta that she was one of the best rulers of Thebes. None of the characters are given much depth is the novel. Laius is the stereotypical negligent husband who hates Jocasta for no reason. Oedipus is the typical perfect love interest. He is handsome, wise, and athletic. He is a man with no flaws. The only character that is given the most depth is Creon. Creon is a man that loves his sister and is willing to do anything for her. He is Jocasta’s right hand man

Overall, this novel tells the story of a woman whose obsessive love brought the downfall of others. The authors have done a fantastic job in painting the setting. Thebes is given a very realistic portrayal. It’s glamorous beauty is only a façade about how dangerous it was to be a ruler of Thebes. The people of Thebes are very fickle. They seem to love their ruler at first, but when the ruler makes a mistake, they turn on them. This is very evident because Jocasta was a well-loved queen, but once her secret was out, the people of Thebes wanted to kill her. Thus, the authors show how the citizens’ love for their ruler can backfire in only a matter of moments. Therefore, the authors had a unique idea to retell the myth from a secondary character, but it was not well-executed. I recommend this novel to those that love Circe, Helen of Troy, and Penelopiad. Yet, Jocasta shows how the original myth is better than this retelling.

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than I thought I would. Not a literary masterpiece, and the editor could have done a little better, as numerous mis-spellings, but this book was redeemed by its topic, e.g., the myth of Oedipus as told from the woman's (mother's) point of view. It joins the ranks of other books recently published of myths/legends told from the female perspective, most notably "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant and "The Penelopiad" by Margaret Atwood.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Απολυτα χορταστικό, με συνεπηρε! Η ιστορία της Ιακάστης και του Οιδίποδα ειδωμένη μέσα από γυναικείο οπτικό φακό. Πρωτοτυπη προσεγγιση και αφηγηματικά άρτιο έργο. Αξίζρι!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jocasta is a classic example of the hero(ine) with a tragic flaw. Even though she tries to step up to the plate to deal with the curves (or the boomerang) that the Fates throw at her, some sacrifices demand too much for this queen with her soft heart. Great companion book to those reading Oedipus Rex - and far more accessible and realistic, both qualities making the story more palatable to discerning readers today.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn on this one. I liked the concept of a myth being used for a HF story but not sure if I really cared for the character of Jocasta. She was certainly a product of her place and time which I suppose is typical in a monarchy, especially for a woman. I have not read the myth that this centers around and maybe I will. For a story it was ok for me.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The majority of the story was developed well and I enjoyed picking it up to read, but I never fully felt that strongly for their relationship as husband/wife, but that may be because I already knew who Oedipus was. The author seemed to skip too many years of their life together that when it ended I just thought to myself, "okay, that's how it ends".

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this there were bits I couldn't put down but also bits I really wasn't sure off, I almost thought it was written by two different people at one point, having said that I did enjoy it overall

[liirogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grossack did a good job taking the old Greek tale and turning it into an engrossing novel. Everyone knows how the story goes, but she still manages to build suspense and keep the reader's attention.