Because no matter how feminist one wants to present this story, that remains a central aspect of it – both of their lives were heavily driven by the whims of men – fathers, husbands, lovers. They struggle, they suffer, they make mistakes. Neither Helen nor Klytemnestra are presented as heroines – or villainesses, for that matter – in the story.

In this novel, Claire Heywood manages to make the sisters into flawed women, trying to live their lives the best they can.

And her sister Klytemnestra – famous for murdering her husband – is often similarly pigeonholed due to a single moment in her legendary life, missing all the other moments that led to this one. Traditionally she is reduced merely to her beauty, when really, she should be presented as a woman in her own right, making decisions that have repercussions rippling across all of Ancient Greece and Troy. I’ve always wanted to know more about Helen – who is such a catalyst in the Homerian epic, but such a passive figure without a voice of her own. Absolutely riveting!' - Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artistĭaughters of Sparta is extremely compelling. Helen of Troy and her sister Klytemnestra are reimagined in this gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth - not as women defined by their husbands and lovers but as battle-weary survivors of a patriarchal society who take control of their own destiny. Perfect for readers of Circe and Ariadne, Daughters of Sparta is a vivid and illuminating retelling of the Siege of Troy that tells the story of mythology's most vilified women from their own mouths at long last. Their duty is now to give birth to the heirs society demands and be the meek, submissive queens their men expect.īut when the weight of their husbands' neglect, cruelty and ambition becomes too heavy to bear, they must push against the constraints of their sex to carve new lives for themselves - and in doing so make waves that will ripple throughout the next three thousand years. While still only girls they are separated and married off to legendary foreign kings Agamemnon and Menelaos, never to meet again. Such privilege comes at a high price, though, and their destinies are not theirs to command. With their high birth and unrivalled beauty, they are the envy of all of Greece. Īs princesses of Sparta, Helen and Klytemnestra have known nothing but luxury and plenty. I enjoyed it very much' - Elizabeth Buchan, bestselling author of The Museum of Broken Promisesįor millennia, two women have been blamed for the fall of a mighty civilisation - but now it's time to hear their side of the story. I admire the ambition with which Heywood tackles the subject, to which she brings freshness and verve. a remarkable, thrilling debut' - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

Claire heywood daughters of sparta