I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.Highlighted by 2,119 Kindle readers- No longer was my world one of brave heroes; I was learning all too swiftly the women’s pain that throbbed unspoken through the tales of their feats.Highlighted by 1,299 Kindle readers
- The stories of Perseus did not allow for a Medusa with a story of her own.Highlighted by 1,164 Kindle readers
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
The most famous part of Ariadne’s story, helping Theseus escape the labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur, is only the beginning of this sweeping mythological novel. Saint cleverly combines sources, many with conflicting events and time lines, into the compelling story of a young woman who falls in love, experiences betrayal, and carves a life for herself outside the traditional narratives of gods and heroes. In doing so, the author underscores the cost of these narratives, which relegate women’s complex and valuable lives to background incidents in heroes’ stories, including horrifying incidents of sexual violence. Saint’s writing is slow, atmospheric, and character-driven, purposefully setting aside the action-packed male hero narratives of Greek mythology to work in an alternate mode. While some readers may be put off by the book’s slower pace and Ariadne’s fulfillment through motherhood and domesticity, others will revel in the complex psychology of the characters. Perhaps most telling is the focus on Ariadne’s younger sister, Phaedra, who “wins” the perfect marriage to a hero, becomes queen of Athens, and still finds herself trapped in an endless cycle of pregnancy and depression despite her intelligence and talent for politics. VERDICT This will appeal to older teens interested retellings that give voice to women’s stories; offer it alongside books by Madeline Miller, Adèle Geras, Elana K. Arnold, and Jane Yolen.-Molly Saunders, Manatee County P.L., Bradenton, FLα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
A Most Anticipated Book (Bustle, Buzzfeed, PopSugar, Goodreads)
IndieNext Pick
“A page-turner…If you like Madeline Miller’s Circe and Son of Achilles, you will eat up Ariadne, a retelling of yet another engrossing and horrifying classic Greek myth.”
―Glamour
“Beautifully written and nuanced, Ariadne explores the bonds between women and their epic quest for agency in patriarchal Greek society.”
―BuzzFeed
“The story broadens, forks,spins, and braids through the perspective of multiple narrators, and the resultis fascinating and unpredictable…A great read.”
―Chicago Review of Books
“Circe fans would do well to take note.”
―Bustle
“If you loved Madeline Miller’s Circe, then you have to check out Ariadne by Jennifer Saint.”
―PopSugar
“Saint’s immersive novel thrusts the reader straight into the heart of Greek mythology with this wonderful reimagining of the story of Ariadne.”
―The Independent (UK)
“A lyrical, insightful re-telling.”
―The Daily Mail
“Energetic and compelling.”
―The Times (UK)
“Captivating…Saint’s mesmerizingly beautiful prose makes Ariadne a fascinating read.”
―The Nerd Daily
“An illuminating read.”
―Woman & Home
“Relevant and revelatory.”
―Stylist (UK)
“A beautiful epic…In a world ruled by temperamental, petulant gods, Ariadne is a shining beacon of female strength and courage―making this a story that’s impossible to forget.”
―CultureFly (UK)
“Enchanting…Saint expertly highlights how often the women of this world pay the price for the actions of the men around them. Lovers of mythology should snap this up.”
―Publishers Weekly
“Complex―and bold…Fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe will enjoy this faithful retelling that centers the often-forgotten women of Greek myth.”
―Booklist
“Ariadne is a shimmering tapestry of two sisters bound by deceit and the shadows of family history. One marries a hero, the other a god. As their lives criss-cross through girlhood and womanhood, the secrets that their husbands keep become a monstrous backdrop to their relationship. With a fresh voice and keen insight, Saint adds flesh and bone to an ancient myth, drawing the reader into an uneasy world of ever-afters.”
―Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger
“An ancient story of love and sisterhood reimagined, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne is a truly masterful debut―compulsive, absorbing and lyrical. Saint breathes new life into the forgotten women of Greek mythology with a novel that’s both incredibly absorbing, and full of heart.”
―Katie Lowe, author of The Furies
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