The Children of Jocasta
(Author) Natalie HaynesFrom Natalie Haynes, the Women's Prize shortlisted author of A Thousand Ships, comes The Children of Jocasta, a retelling of Oedipus and Antigone from the perspectives of the women the myths overlooked. My siblings and I have grown up in a cursed house, children of cursed parents . . . Jocasta is just fifteen 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.'Haynes balances a fresh take on the material . . . giving new voice to the often-overlooked but fascinating Jocasta and Ismene.' - Madeline Miller, author of Circe.
Natalie Haynes
Natalie Haynes is a British writer, broadcaster, and classicist known for her witty and insightful commentary on ancient Greek literature and mythology. She has written several books, including "The Ancient Guide to Modern Life" and "The Amber Fury," which blend classical themes with contemporary issues. Haynes is also a regular contributor to newspapers and radio programs, where she discusses the relevance of ancient stories to modern society. Her work has been praised for its engaging style and clever analysis of timeless themes. One of her most famous works is "A Thousand Ships," a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women involved. Haynes has made a significant impact on the literary genre of classical retellings, bringing ancient stories to life for a new generation of readers.