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Ithaca

The exquisite, gripping retelling of the Odyssey that breathes life into ancient myth

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Ithaca

By: Claire North
Narrated by: Catrin Walker-Booth
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THE MUST-READ RETELLING OF THE ODYSSEY. IT'S TIME FOR THE WOMEN OF ITHACA TO TELL THEIR TALE . . .

'Claire North brings a powerful, fresh and unflinching voice to ancient myth - darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking' Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne

***A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Year***

This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca's shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women - and their goddesses - that will change the course of the world.

'The greatest power we women can own is that which we take in secret.'

Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the isle of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom.

Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door.

No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus's empty throne - not yet. But as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war . . .

From the multi award-winning Claire North comes a daring, exquisite and moving tale that breathes life into ancient myth, and tells of the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It's time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . .

'Everything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice - this is an absolute masterpiece' Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin

'Told in the arresting voice of the goddess Hera . . . Ithaca conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies' The Times

'Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history' Booklist

'Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime' Hannah Lynn, author of Athena's Child

The Songs of Penelope novels:
Ithaca
House of Odysseus
The Last Song of Penelope©2022 Claire North Ancient Fantasy Fiction Historical Fiction Magic Marriage Royalty War
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Critic reviews

Claire North brings a powerful, fresh and unflinching voice to ancient myth - darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking' (Jennifer Saint, author of SUNDAY TIMES bestseller ARIADNE)
Everything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice - this is an absolute masterpiece
Told in the arresting voice of the goddess Hera . . . Ithaca conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies
Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime
Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history
Full of cunning and intrigue
A gorgeous, emotive feminist retelling of the classic Greek myth of Penelope
Like Penelope at her loom North both weaves and unweaves, teasing out the threads of Homeric myth to recombine them into something unique, wonderful and urgently contemporary (M. R. Carey, author of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS)
There is something fateful about The Songs of Penelope trilogy: that this voice would come to this story, a pairing so perfect it was worth waiting a few thousand years for. North's writing is evocative, vibrant and delightfully witty - capable of rending your heart in two or clutching at your sides with only a few words from a scathing and surprisingly ardent godly-narrator.
The queen of the gods narrates a crackling tale of secrets and intrigue... this is a ground-up view of Greek myth populated by spying maids, crafty merchants, and conniving queens. It's taut, suspenseful, and full of Hera's delightfully dyspeptic attitude. A thoroughly enjoyable exploration of Penelope's side of the ancient story
This is a story as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, as witty as it is intelligent. If you're going to delve into Greek retellings, let it absolutely be this one
North's novels are always complex and intricately weaved, and Ithaca is no exception. Narrated by Hera, it immerses you in Penelope's story and the wider tales of other women, both goddesses and slaves, as well as Penelope's son and her suitors . . . This fascinating and multi-layered novel won't disappoint.
All stars
Most relevant
An amazingly clever book so well written and narrated. My first Clare North book intend to read/listen to many more

Loved it

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Thoroughly enjoyable re-telling of the Odyssey from a woman’s point of you, told by Hera who watches over the women of Ithaca. So beautifully written and outstandingly performed Catherine Walker Booth. Highly recommend.

Wonderful re-telling of a classic tale

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I love claire North narration and the inflections on her voice when she is giving her humorous as sides. The concept of Heer telling the story makes for a interesting twist. Probably one of my favourites Olympian retellings.

Narration and humour

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The book is great and the reader was superb! I really enjoyed it! Five stars

Amazing

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Beautifully crafted prose and a view of the mythology through women's eyes made this a book that I wanted to listen to without pause. In fact, there were a few chapters that were so breathtaking or heart wrenching that I listened to them again.

Beautifully crafted

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