You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

After enjoying the monthly themed read, books about Greek mythology, a few of us expressed an interest in reading Elektra.

I've opened this thread so we can chat about dates that might suit. I'm game anytime.

I might be able to squeeze it in, but would prefer August. It's already middle of July and I've only read 2 books!

I'll join you. I own this one.

I was august or september, but I can do anytime that suits.

I would prefer September, but if the majority chooses August, then it's also okay.

September works as well as August for me too.

I'm good for any time. Jennifer Saint is coming out with a new book based on greek mythology about Hera. I tried to get it from Netgalley but it's still pending so looks like I'll have to wait for it to come out in August

Let's pencil it in for September then. As it goes closer, we can decide on an actual date to start.

sounds good to me 😊

Fine for me too.

I would love to join in as well!

Is everyone still planning on reading Elektra as a buddy read this month? When does everyone want to start? I could start at any time.

I can also start any time

Yes, no problem. I was just thinking about it this morning. I would prefer the first 2 weeks. After that, school starts again.

I could start today, if that works for anyone. If not, I'll have to start another book and start this one towards the end of the week.

Today works for me. I have about 30 min left in my current listen so I'll be looking for something else tonight.

I can start tomorrow. I have a library book that needs to be finished today.

That's super. I will start tomorrow or Wednesday.

I have this one penciled in for the Greek mythology task which I’m two books from getting to. I will “read along” when I get to it probably long after y’all finish. Fingers crossed it’s a good one.

That's annoying Marnie, but as you say, our thoughts will be here for you to read when you're ready.

I've just finished chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ The story so far centers on three characters; Elektra, Clytemtra and Cassandra. I wasn't expecting to hear POVs from the latter two.

Clytemnestras back story is a bit different to that in Clytemnestra in that there's no mention in this story that she was already married when she met Agamemnon. Clytemnestra told that A murdered her first husband and son so that she'd be free to marry him, but as it was also a retelling, this was probably not taken from the sourse material but a device to make the reader hate Agamemnon and fall completelyinto Clytemnestras camp! That's the only problem I have with retellings - I don't know the originals well enough to know what is canon and what is artistic licence ....... sooo, I'll just have to put that other version out of my mind!

Cassandra is such a tragic figure. To have the gift of property but have noone believe you must be miserable. Those gods/goddesses made some very creative punishments for those who displeased them.

(hide spoiler)]

I didn't start the book after all. I will tomorrow.

I started the book and read to the end of Chapter 6.

(view spoiler)[ This author portrays Helen and Clytemnestra very differently. In the book Clytemnestra, Helen was more vulnerable and Clytemnestra was more aggressive. Also, this book doesn't have any of her first marriage and his murder by Agamemnon, let alone the murder of her infant. I wonder if one would be better off reading one author's interpretations rather than piece the stories together from various different authors. I like that this book (so far) isn't as violent.

I appreciate that we are getting more of Cassandra's story. (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "That's annoying Marnie, but as you say, our thoughts will be here for you to read when you're ready.

I've just finished chapter 4 .."

Like you, I don't know(view spoiler)[enough of the original story. What I know so far is pieced together by various different retellings and movies. I have several books in my audible library. Two of them are Medusa's story. (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "That's annoying Marnie, but as you say, our thoughts will be here for you to read when you're ready.

I've just finished chapter 4 The story so far centers on three characters; Elektra, Clytemtra ..."

As with a lot of Greek mythology, the sources themselves differ. So in some versions Clytemnestra is married already and in others not, so the retellers get to choose.

I started today and am through ch 3 (view spoiler)[Cassandra's punishment strikes me as one of the worst - right up there with Medusa - Apollo knows that his priestesses are supposed to be virgins, so it is just beyond cruel for him to punish her like that for refusing him - especially since he probably would have kicked her out of the temple for not being a virgin had she acquiesced. I do love the retellings that draw attention to the misogynist BS that is rampant in the Greek myths and at least give the women more of a story. (hide spoiler)]

Katrisa wrote: "Margo wrote: "That's annoying Marnie, but as you say, our thoughts will be here for you to read when you're ready.

I've just finished chapter 4 The story so far centers on three characters; Elektr..."

Ah, that makes sense, thanks Katrisa. Especially in those days when history was oral vs written.

I've just finished chapter 19
(view spoiler)[ the story is much the same as I've heard in other accounts. I was hoping that the author would try to get Elektras head a bit more.
(hide spoiler)]

I finished part 1 today. (view spoiler)[No matter what retelling I read, Iphigenia being sacrificed in front of her mother while thinking she is about to be married is just horrifying. It's no wonder so many women in the Greek mythology turn to devious things. It is sad to see how the curse of the house of Atrius just keeps being perpetuated. Side note - I don't know if any of you are Dune fans, but the Atriedes come from the house of Atrius - fun fact :) (hide spoiler)]

I'm late to the party. I'l trying to start today, but I'm currently sick and dealing with other things. So, I'll be the snail in this reading.

I am starting this one this afternoon. I was having serious reading FOMO.

Feel better soon Saar!

I didn't find time or inclination to read yesterday.

Marnie wrote: "I am starting this one this afternoon. I was having serious reading FOMO."

LOL Marnie - there'll always be another Greek mythology book for your task!

@ Saar, hope you feel better soon, you're not having much luck healthwise at the moment *hugs*

I have read through chapter 4. I haven’t read too many books on mythology so am going into semi blind.

Clytemnestra is familiar since we just read another book about her but I am looking forward to reading more about Cassandra. (view spoiler)[ Apollo is one wicked god. I think I would go mad if no one ever believed anything I said. At first I thought I’d feel smug when I’m proven right but upon reflection I think the frustration would make me insane. (hide spoiler)]

Margo- I finished what I needed to finish so this book will count. I’m up in the mountains right now so have plenty of reading time.

I didn't get much read today either. I was in the middle of Chapter 7 and was struggling to stay awake. It wasn't the book's fault. (view spoiler)[ Cassandra is learning the impact of nobody believing her. That would be so disheartening. (hide spoiler)]

Marnie wrote: "I have read through chapter 4. I haven’t read too many books on mythology so am going into semi blind.

Clytemnestra is familiar since we just read another book about her but I am looking forward ..."

Re your spoiler, (view spoiler)[I think we all have expectations of the gods being loving and caring of mortals, but mythology doesn't paint them in a great picture, whether it be Greek, Norse, or Irish. There always seem to be a warning about the Fae and their trickery. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't get too much farther today as I own this one and Catherine House is a library book that is due soon so I have been splitting my time between those books but favoring Catherine House since they can digitally snatch it back from me :)
I just finished ch 12. I agree with everyone's thoughts on Apollo and Cassandra. (view spoiler)[I feel for Clytemnestra and how she is detaching from her children as a protective measure. People in grief don't always make the best decisions. But it is sad for Elektra and Orestes. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished the book. I did enjoy pt 4.
(view spoiler)[
Clytemnestra: This woman lived for revenge, and who could blame her after what Agamemnon did to their daughter? She was suffering PTSD, in shock, depressed and grieving. I think for those 10 years that she waited for husband to return, she was not capable of any form of human attachment or interaction. Obviously her relationship with her children suffered. When she killed him, they scattered, also understandably, and then it was too late.
I have always laid the blame with Helen. If she hadn't run away with Paris this whole chain of events wouldn't have kicked off BUT this author reminds us that it is the nature of men to make war. That is how prizes are won, spoils gained. Troy was famed for it's wealth and culture so it the Greeks waging war with it was inevitable. I'm not so sure, they seemed to be getting on well enough till Helen did a bunk. Then again, the ancient world, at least as we know it from mythology, was a very fickle place. Gods and humans were changeable and quick to anger. It wasn't so much that god created man in his image, but that man created god in his. The gods of the ancient world shared a lot of human failing.

Elektra: I'm still no closer to understanding this woman. She seems to envy her elder sister for being murdered by their father! Something about, at least she got to die in his arms. The sacrifice was totally in her eyes because it was demanded by a god. Didn't she realise, as Clytemnestra did, that it could have been her next? Or would she have felt that her own live was also unimportant in the scheme of things? She is another one that lives for vengeance. She can't wait to have her mother killed, but she isn't willing to do the deed herself so her plan is to wait for her little brother to grow up and do it for her. This is monstrous! At least Clytemnestra was will to face the consequences of her her actions. There is no indication in the story that she loved anyone except her father, who she hero worshiped. Did she even know the real Agamemnon? She seems to have taken on the roll of mother to her brother but wouldn't it have more loving to have killed her mother with her own hand? There was a strong chance that Orestes could have been killed by the palace guard for what he did.

Overall I found it a thought provoking read whose ideas will stay with me.
(hide spoiler)]
Looking forward to reading everybodys thoughts

I have a ways to go before I can read your spoilers, Margo.

LOL I found it a quick read but there are days I just can't listen to anything and make it stick

I’m at chapter 15

I’m way more moved by Cassandra and Clytemnestra’s stories. Elektra who admittedly is very young at this point does not seem as compelling. I know that will change because the book is named for her so I’m hopeful.

I'm at the end of chapter 14.

(view spoiler)[I was surprised that Elektra was so understanding of her father sacrificing her sister. I guess that she is just too young to understand. Plus, she was really confused about the effect it had on her mother. (hide spoiler)]

Janice wrote: "I'm at the end of chapter 14.

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was a little confused by Elektra’s devotion to her father too. Yes she was young and her mother was so lost in her grief that it’s like she lost her too. It’s easier to romanticize an absent parent, I guess, when he’s not around pissing you off. Her grief became her whole identity just like her mom. (hide spoiler)]

I finished and enjoyed the read. Comparing it to Clytemnestra I think I enjoyed that one more but I still got swept away in this story and found it hard to put down.

Marnie wrote: "I’m at chapter 15

I’m way more moved by Cassandra and Clytemnestra’s stories. Elektra who admittedly is very young at this point does not seem as compelling. I know that will change because the bo..."

Agreed. (view spoiler)[ I can see why she has some hero-worship toward her father especially and with Agamemnon being absent Elektra can put anything on him that she wants since her mother is dealing with her own grief in a way that a child wouldn't understand at all- just that she and Orestes are largely ignored. But I am also more drawn to Clytemnestra and Cassandra at this point. (hide spoiler)]

I am through ch 17. (view spoiler)[ I am finding the way Saint depicts the relationship between Clytemnestra and Aegisthus interesting. Usually it is more sexual in nature. But Saint has him pretty young and the two of them are mostly revenge partners. It doesn't say they aren't sleeping together, but the vibes seem much less like an affair.
It is also interesting having just read Song of Achilles that Patroclus' death and Achilles revenge on the Trojans is just a side note in this story and mostly Clytemnestra is hoping her husband survives so she can kill him. (hide spoiler)]

I've started, but I can't concentrate yet. Just a wooly feeling in my head. I'll read everything later.

I'm reading the Dutch translation and currently I'm at the first part, chapter 3. For some reason there's something that annoys me in the book. Have to figure out what it is.

I read to the end of chapter 22.

(view spoiler)[ I enjoy Cassandra's story the most, Her story is tragic. She could have saved the Trojans if they just listened to her, but her father caught her trying to burn down the horse and had her dragged away. The cost was horrific. I wonder if people didn't say, "Cassandra was right" when her prophecies came true. I think she was assuaged a tiny bit because she foresaw Agamemnon's fate when he returned home.

I think Achilles and Clytemnestra are very comparable. She was driven to rage and revenge upon the murder of her daughter, and Achilles by the death of Patroclus.

Elektra is my least favourite. She is so enamored of her father that he can do no wrong. She has romanticized him, and idolized him. She is unaffected by him killing her sister. The gods ordered it so therefore he wasn't at fault. He took women (spoils of war) as his right , not even considering that if a war was waged in her city and her father lost, she would be the spoils of war. (hide spoiler)]

I finished this afternoon.

(view spoiler)[ I didn't like this book as much as Clytemnestra.

I guess I sided with Clytemnestra. There is nothing worse than having a child die, and to watch your husband slaughter her right in front of you would be unbearable.

Elektra, on the other hand, created a fantasy of her father, hadn't seen him in over 10 years, and didn't witness his death. Did she grieve her father or her fantasy?

For her to throw "children die every day" in her mother's face was horrific. Easy enough for her to say when she's never had a child and then lost that child. She did have a little self awareness when her husband tried to talk to her about the never ending cycle of revenge and said, "fathers die every day".

She was so naive! She thought that Cassandra would have had glowing stories of her father to regale her with. Seriously? Maybe if Cassandra had had the chance to relate her stories, Elektra might have learned some truths.

I felt sorry for her husband. In her entitlement, she walked away from him without a second thought about how he had been a faithful friend all those years.

I'll have to read some online references to find out if that was the end of Elektra's story, or if her child was significant to the story. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'll give Greek mythology a bit of a rest now. I have several books to read, but I need a palate refresher.

Margo wrote: "I just finished the book. I did enjoy pt 4.
.."

(view spoiler)["It wasn't so much that god created man in his image, but that man created god in his." - How true!

I agree with your comment about Helen. She was the catalyst along with Paris.

As for Elektra, she was a foolish entitled child. That wasn't all her fault since she was like an abandoned child. Her mother was absent to as she was so immersed in her grief. She didn't have anyone help her to understand what was going on.

Even though Orestes really didn't know Clytemnestra all that well, he was tormented by the gods for murdering his mother. (hide spoiler)]

I need a break from mythology too! In between the two books we read together, I listened to House of Names which was definitely my least favourite of the retellings. I also (view spoiler)[ preferred Clytemnestra to Elektra. The author of that delved wore into the characters of the people involved in the story.
(hide spoiler)]