
House of Odysseus
The Songs of Penelope, Book 2
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Narrated by:
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Catrin Walker-Booth
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By:
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Claire North
About this listen
'CLAIRE NORTH BRINGS A POWERFUL, FRESH AND UNFLINCHING VOICE TO ANCIENT MYTH' Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne
From the author of the critically acclaimed Ithaca - A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Year - comes an exquisite and gripping new tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.
On the isle of Ithaca, Queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband, Odysseus, sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace - but this is shattered by the arrival of Orestes, king of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.
Orestes's hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, racked with guilt, he is slowly losing his mind.
Penelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the Furies circle him. His uncle, Menelaus, the battle-hungry king of Sparta, longs for Orestes's throne - and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.
Trapped between two mad kings, Penelope fights to keep war from Ithaca's shores. Her only allies are Elektra and Helen of Troy, Menelaus's enigmatic wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.
Each woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.
The Songs of Penelope series:
Ithaca
House of Odysseus
The Last Song of Penelope
Outstanding
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Forget the myths you think you know and embrace some new stories.
Engaging and enthralling
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a ripping yarn, well created
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The characterisation throughout the novel is exquisite. North's ability to flesh out each character, giving them depth, complexity, and genuine emotional resonance, is particularly impressive. However, for me personally, the denouement and certain plot reveals involving the main protagonist felt somewhat out of step with the rest of the narrative. Penelope momentarily transforming into an ancient Greek version of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple felt slightly incongruous.
Nevertheless, this minor reservation hardly detracts from an otherwise flawless literary achievement. I look forward to getting stuck into the final book in the series and wholeheartedly encourage others to immerse themselves in the captivating world Claire North has so brilliantly crafted.
Last but not least, I must also draw particular attention to the reader in this series. Catrin Walker-Booth's performance is nothing short of pitch-perfect. Superb.
The gods would be proud.
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Really looking forward to book 3
Excellent sequel
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This will be super successful on screen 💕👍
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A lyrical and creative retelling of the myth
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Just great.
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Outstanding storytelling!
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Loved the story, the narration, the imagination. A very satisfying book. Downloading the final part of the trilogy now, can't wait. Well done, Clare North!
Excellent story
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