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The Children of Jocasta cover art

The Children of Jocasta

By: Natalie Haynes
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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Summary

In The Children of Jocasta, Natalie Haynes retells the Oedipus and Antigone myths to reveal a new side of an ancient story....

My siblings and I have grown up in a cursed house, children of cursed parents....

Jocasta is just 15 when she is told that she must marry the King of Thebes, an old man she has never met. Her life has never been her own, and nor will it be unless she outlives her strange, absent husband.

Ismene is the same age when she is attacked in the palace she calls home. Since the day of her parents' tragic deaths a decade earlier, she has always longed to feel safe with the family she still has. But with a single act of violence, all that is about to change.

With the turn of these two events, a tragedy is set in motion. But not as you know it.

©2018 Natalie Haynes (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio

What listeners say about The Children of Jocasta

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    4 out of 5 stars

So many twists and turns!

I listened to this book after finishing “The silence of the girls” and loving it so much I wanted something similar.
I’m not very knowledgeable about history so was surprised I fell so in love with this genre of book.
The book is told from two points of view and I enjoyed Jocasta’s chapters right from the start, Ismene’s chapters took a while for me to warm up to but they eventually became just as thrilling as Jocasta’s. Such a great story, I didn’t want it to end.
This is also the second book I’ve listened to that has been narrated by Kristen Atherton and I think that is part of the appeal of the story for me, she has a beautiful voice and is a very skilled story teller.

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11 people found this helpful

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Clever story, brilliant performance

Amazing rewrite of the classic Greek tragedy story of the house of Oedipus. Although it removes all the supernatural aspects, the story isn't any less enticing. in fact, it makes the story more believable, more relevant to us. The performance of Kristin was first class. I don't think I've ever heard any story as well read as her performance. well done.

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5 people found this helpful

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lost count of how many times Ive listened

This is such a wonderful book by an extraordinarily excellent writer with a brilliant narrator.

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2 people found this helpful

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gripping history

loved this retelling of a tragedy, read it in record time. good plot and believable characters

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2 people found this helpful

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Chicklit with educational ambition?

I bought this book hoping for something as well-written and absorbing as "Song of Achilles" and "The Silence of the Girls". Perhaps because this novel couldn't stand the comparison (not by far) I was disappointed and stopped listening. The author ovbiously knows a lot about her subject and you get a vivid picture of ancient Thebes, but you never get close to the main characters, Ismene and Jocasta. They seem to be there mainly to make the story itself move forward. The novel reminds me of chicklit - not bad but nothing to thoroughly enjoy.

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Fabulous compelling story

This is a really clever and imaginative retelling of the Oedipus myth, through the eyes of both his wife Jocasta and his four children. It is brilliantly reimagined and has some very clever twists and turns to offer new insights and new perspectives on a story that will be very familiar for many of the people drawn to this audiobook. I listened to it virtually non-stop: it is that intense and exciting, and it is highly recommended along with Natalie Haynes' other books. She is truly one of the best authors who brings a kind of contemporary, feminist orientation to classical mythology. Finally, Kristin Atherton is a brilliant reader.who really brings this text, and it’s colourful characters, back to life. This production of The Children of Jocasta is a great accomplishment by both women.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fabulous

Nothing - it’s a wonderful book and Natalie is a genius! I am really looking forward to the next one

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Very well read

I loved the re-telling of this Greek tradegy. Kristine did an amazing job reading this book, I was absorbed by the story and couldn't stop listening! I would definitely recommend.

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Enjoyable retelling of the Greek myth

The narration is great and I really enjoyed the story I would recommend this book.

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Interesting take

This was a book club suggestion and would never have been my choice but it really worked. It is light but I learnt a lot of history whilst being entertained.

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