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| Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati |
The characters in this novel come from Greek mythology. They are familiar figures from the Iliad, the Odyssey, and ancient Greek drama, as well as various modern reprises. Author Costanza Casati has recreated this drama as fiction about a family who embody what I see as completely modern self-awareness. Despite their modern outlook, they live in the ancient Greek world that has just suffered through the Trojan War. This treatment has good points, like the way she creates character development. It has weak points, like the excessive detail, which makes it a somewhat tedious read all together.
The food references are disappointing. Example: “ There are no nobles and warriors tonight, only Clytemnestra’s family, and the servants set out bowls of pears and apples, cheese and nuts.” (p. 112)
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| From our trip to the Greek islands last summer: a vase with images that relate to the Trojan War. |
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| A temple from the era of Clytemnestra from our trip last summer: the ancient Greek Temple of Posidon at Soumion. Picky note: the columns of that era, as shown here, are Doric columns. On the cover of the book the columns are Corinthian: an anachronism. But I guess that the book is full of anachronisms. |
A Brief Weather Reprieve
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| What do you do in a Michigan thaw? You try to get the salt and mud off your car. |
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| It’s still a bit cold and messy for outdoor sports, but we have the Olympics. (Brought to us by a pharmacopia of unpronounceable drugs). |
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| We drove out into the rather desolate countryside. No signs of spring here. The town of Dixboro, founded in 1824, has one or two old buildings. |
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| Right now, I’m cooking a stew for this evening. I still love my crockpot, and haven’t replaced it. NOTE in response to comment: Crockpot is the brand name of this pot, which is also called a slow cooker. |
Blog post and photos © 2026 mae sander.
Sounds like a good book. Inside the carwash is pretty cool. Haven't watched any of the Olympics. I think I will make some stew today. It hailed so much last night and then rained that it looks like snow. Have a very nice day today.
ReplyDeleteWell, who knew we so often ate just like the ancient Greeks (at least when there were no nobles or warriors present). That book is not one I'd choose to read as I nibble my fruit and cheese, but I loved seeing the pictures from your travels. Wonderful memories. Hoping your weather breaks are frequent as the winter progresses. I enjoyed being inside the carwash vicariously and wish we could find a drive through near us (in Florida) that would accommodate our roadtrek (our daily driver here).
ReplyDeleteYou might shake your head at me, but the winter olympics are on here, too and, meep. Off to take a hot shower - Perth is just so cold these days. But I was told I am officially the only German who freezes in Australian Summer. My legs are cold and I sit here in a jumper.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the Temple. Your ABC stew looks yummy.
My car needs to go through the car wash too, the rain did help wash off some salt. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
I still love my crockpot. It's warming up rapidly here; it will be 80 later in the week. I saw or heard over fifty species of birds over the long weekend during the Great Backyard Bird Count. Spring is on its way.
ReplyDeletefor all the years I've lived here, I haven't heard of Dexboro. Dexter, yes. Dexboro, no! I need to do the carwash thing this week too. Loving the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteI used to know all the stories and names from Greek mythology because as a child we lived in a neighbourhood where all the streets were named after mythological figures. We lived in the Medusa street,
ReplyDeleteI get the BBC on my TV (with a VPN) and we get the winter olympics. It's fun to watch. I really liked the snowboarding with their acrobatics. Amazing.
Yes, I also have got my crock pot. We call it a slow cooker. Mine is a large oval shape. I do admit that since I have an Instant Pot, I use it less and less. One of these days, it's going to go to a thrift shop.
Sorry for the late comment. I was so busy yesterday, I forgot to link my blog and didn't realise until late at night. better late than never.
Belated Happy T-Day,
Lisca
I often find with authors who have done tons of research for their novel, that they want to include as much of it as possible which makes it somewhat tedious for the reader. A good editor ...
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