Publication Date: November 13, 2018
Thebes is a city in mourning, still reeling from a devastating plague that invaded every home and left the survivors devastated and fearful. This is the Thebes that Jocasta has known her entire life, a city ruled by a king—her husband-to-be.
Jocasta struggles through this miserable marriage until she is unexpectedly widowed. Now free to choose her next husband, she selects the handsome, youthful Oedipus. When whispers emerge of an unbearable scandal, the very society that once lent Jocasta its support seems determined to destroy her.
Ismene is a girl in mourning, longing for the golden days of her youth, days spent lolling in the courtyard garden, reading and reveling in her parents’ happiness and love. Now she is an orphan and the target of a murder plot, attacked within the very walls of the palace. As the deadly political competition swirls around her, she must uncover the root of the plot—and reveal the truth of the curse that has consumed her family.
The novel is based on Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone, two of Classical Greece’s most compelling tragedies. Told in intersecting narratives, this reimagining of Sophocles’s classic plays brings life and voice to the women who were too often forced to the background of their own stories.
Ancient Greece comes alive in a dual storyline that breathes fresh life into a famous Greek tragedy.
Author Natalie Haynes takes on the story of Oedipus and turns it into a novel in The Children of Jocasta. Her twist is to focus on the character of Jocasta, who typically is more of a minor character.
From cover to cover, the storyline grabs your attention. Because there is a storyline shift from past to present, it’s fascinating to see how the author weaves them together. Even for those readers who slept through the senior English unit featuring Sophocles, this is a fun approach to the subject matter.
While the author admits to “playing fast and loose” with the myth, she does so in an entertaining fashion. Young Ismene’s character shows great depth as she discovers clues about the deaths of her parents.
It’s Jocasta, a frightened teenager wed to the old king, who ties the story together. Her sense of loss and desperation as she turns to the gods and oracles for help is followed by her joy at finding love.
The Children of Jocasta provides a refreshing look at a well-known Greek tragedy packed with captivating characters and an intriguing plot.
Natalie Haynes is the author of The Amber Fury, which was shortlisted for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year award, and a non-fiction book about Ancient History, The Ancient Guide to Modern Life. She has written and presented two series on BBC Radio 4. In 2015, she was awarded the Classical Association Prize for her work in bringing Classics to a wider audience.
