by Jennifer Saint

I always enjoy new angles on the Greek Myths and Jennifer Saint’s three novels to date are no exception. Elektra, published in 2022, is actually her second, following Ariadne (see here) and preceding Atalanta (see here). Three novels in three years is pretty good going in my view!

Elektra is a story of the Trojan War and its aftermath, told from the point of view of three women who were caught up in its consequences: Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy, Clytemnestra, wife of Agammemnon – (and sister of Helen), and Elektra, Agammemnon’s younger daughter.

On the eve of his sailing to join his brother Menelaus – (husband of Helen) and the others, Agammemnon murders his eldest daughter Iphygenia as a sacrifice to the gods. Clytemnestra vows to avenge her. She meantime takes a lover – Aegisthus and with his help rules for ten years in her husband’s stead.

Elektra scarcely knows her father but idolises him despite his bloodthirsty streak. In her mind, he is the hero everyone says he is.

Cassandra looks into the face of Apollo and receives the gift of prophecy. She predicts the fall of Troy but no one believes her, least of all her parents and siblings.

One after another, the three women take turns to narrate the story, how they endure the years of war and what happens to each when they are over. Agammemnon returns home; Clytemnestra welcomes him lavishly but then murders him as she has sworn to do. Elektra, fearing for her life takes refuge with her peasant friend Giorgios. The latter arranges the escape of Orestes, Elektra’s little brother, to a safe place until he can grow up and avenge his father’s death. Cassandra, among the captive women of Troy, finds herself a slave of the House of Atreus.

Taking a feminist rather than the more common male-dominated tale of heroes, gods and monsters, Elektra speeds through the years, giving a new perspective on the old myths. It is a fun read!

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