These Great Athenians: Retold Passages for Seldom Heard Voices

Description

Carter's fierce debut gives voice to the mostly forgotten and maligned female characters of Homer's epic The Odyssey. It is a celebratory ode to those who survive within and outside of gender norms. Faithful Penelope waits for her husband's return as she weaves a shroud that foretells her doom, Scylla once a beautiful nymph turned monster prowls the seas hungry for flesh, while the witch Circe falls for a man who will leave her. Weaving together their stories and poetic voices, this subtly moving and playful verse novel questions how do those without a voice find freedom within the world of men?

Valentine Carter grew up in a small village, escaped to the capital and now lives by the sea. They recently completed an MA in creative writing at Birkbeck, University of London, where they are now studying for a PhD. Valentine has short fiction published by The Fiction Pool, Bandit Fiction, In Yer Ear and The Mechanics' Institute Review:Issue 15 and Issue 16, and poetry published by Perverse and Visual Verse.

For those of you who love Ancient Greek retellings, this is definitely a book to add to your collection. It also makes a great gift (if you can face giving it away!) -- Lauren Steele * The Indie Insider * A truly unique mix of verse and storytelling, Valentine explores each woman's tale re-imagining unchallenged and unopposed ideas. * The Mechanics' Institute Review * It's a beautiful book- with foil and coloured pages and each character has a distinctive voice and styling. A lyrical, poetic reworking to be absolutely inhaled. -- @chaosonolympus on Instagram This is a fresh approach to feminist retellings of a myth that is visceral, thought-provoking, and entertaining. -- Emma Butler-Way * @EBWReads on Twitter * This book did more than impress me, it has now become one of my favourite re-tellings of all time. * @doriansbooks on Instagram * Valentine Carter's new book of short stories takes inspiration from the women of The Odyssey, rescuing them from their isolation by imagining a world in which their stories intertwine... * @unitybookswgtn on Instagram * A very evocative and enchanting read. -- @Tender_is_the_read on Instagram poetry, imagery, beauty, humour, and a sad yet hopeful message, all wrapped up in the weave of myth. -- Em With Pen Carter has excelled so, so many other contemporary authors. Their attention to the voices of the women of The Odyssey is possibly unparalleled.This collection of voices really doesn't miss a beat. These women sing from the pages of this book * @jesikasbookshelf on Instagram * I highly recommend this to anyone who loves greek mythology and wants to know more about the women who are so often pushed to the side. * Shelves of Starlight * Written through verse these retellings are extremely beautifully written, reimagined from Homer's Odyssey the writer draws you in and immerses you fully in the Greek myth world through a woman's eyes. In the end, these amazing voices all come together as one in a sisterhood that any feminist would feel proud. * @secretworldofabook on Instagram *