My Five Word TL:DR Review: Retelling of Jason and Medea

I am really enjoying the books that retell Greek mythology, usually from a lesser known perspective and No Friend to This House was a very enjoyable and cleverly told story that uses many threads that weave together in an intriguing and satisfactory fashion.

This is a story that is founded on the very well known story of Jason and his Argonauts but told from a lesser known character (or at least one that doesn’t usually have much voice), Medea who brings us a whole new perspective on Jason and his heroics.

I will say from the outset that although I had a slowish start with this, once I became used to the style, I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling.  It brings to the reader multiple characters who sometimes appear very briefly simply to interject a quick burst of illumination and then retire not to be seen again.  It has interfering Greek Gods – something you really can’t avoid in these stories and why should you because they are entertaining – and other characters who at first may seem insignificant but play a small part in either shaping or directing the narrative.

Medea, as you may be aware was a sorceress and the daughter of a God and although her tale is dark she keeps the favour of the Gods (in spite of some dire acts) signalling just how much Jason eventually fell from grace.  Medea was herself used by the Gods in their little games, being smitten by Jason upon first sight (having been shot with one of Eros’ love arrows how could she possibly resist?).  So, of course she betrays her king and country and helps Jason to win the Golden Fleece.  Jason comes across as charming and gifted at winning people over but ultimately, he betrays Medea and, as her story has shown along the way, she has something of a vengeful streak.  Theirs is definitely a Greek Tragedy but this retelling manages to inject humour and a sense of fun and it is captivating.  I was hooked.

I don’t want to say too much about the story, it takes the path that you would expect but it shines a different light on Medea making her more sympathetic (even in the face of atrocities).  I mean, I couldn’t help really feeling for her and wanting very much to slap Jason.

The writing is really good, it’s clever the way the smallest incidents play into the story and become much more relevant and in fact just writing about my thoughts and feelings makes me realise that I would really love to read this again just to see what I missed.

In conclusion, although I needed a little time to warm up initially, this book really did sink its teeth in and grip me.  I think I had reservations, having read a couple of retellings fairly recently I wondered if this might tread the same path but it was such an entertaining read that although the path is familiar the events were given a unique slant and for me it revealed things that I was completely unaware of – for example the golden fleece – well, it has a story of it’s own that I had no idea about.

This is my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be my last.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 stars