The Children of Jocasta

A Novel

By: Natalie Haynes

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

“Reinterprets two of Sophocles’ Theban plays, Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone. . . . the alternating structure proves powerful.”—The New Yorker

“A passionate and gripping account of a famously dysfunctional family. Haynes balances a fresh take on the material with a deep love for her sources, wearing her scholarship with grace, and giving new voice to the often-overlooked but fascinating Jocasta and Ismene.”—Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of The Song of Achilles and Circe

The New York Times bestselling author of Pandora's Jar and Stone Blind returns with a powerful retelling of Oedipus and Antigone from the perspectives of the women the myths overlooked.

When you have grown up as I have, there is no security in not knowing things, in avoiding the ugliest truths because they can't be faced . . . Because that is what happened the last time, and that is why 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 we’ve known it.

©2018 Natalie Haynes (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

terrific telling of the story, with twists and turns coming from both antiquity and the imagination of Haynes

terrific telling of the story, with twists and turns coming from both antiquity and the imagination of Haynes

Enjoyable retelling

This was a interesting retelling of a classic story of familia tragedy 🎭 I look forward to listening to the authors others retelling

Yes!

NH did it again! This book is so well written as is all of her other books. If you like Greek mythology as I do, you will love this one. It’s very nearly a classic 🙂
The narrator is awesome as well!

Outstanding story telling.

Well written, well told.
A keeper for the audible library. The Natattor and story blend in harmony and keeps you listening.

I get a fair amount of work done listening!

if you like stories free of frippery, this is perfect.

Haynes slays as always

Do you like Natalie Haynes? Click purchase, she never ever ever ever ever ever fails .

I preferred Sophocles' versions of the Oedipus and Antigone myths.

This is a very modern reimagining of the Oedipus myth. All of the main elements are there, but in this version, they are explained more plausibly than in the two Sophocles plays, Oedipus the King and Antigone. It is very well done, but leaves the real crux of the play somewhat unresolved. Ms. Haynes is a master story teller and also a brilliant scholar of ancient classics. Anyone who enjoys retellings of ancient myths will enjoy this version.

I really loved how she wrote Jocasta

This is a great story that actually focuses on the women in the Odipeus play

Great reimagining

Love the way Haynes reinterprets this myth. She breathes life into this tragedy and somehow alters the plot without straying from the original story.

a wonderful retelling of an ancient myt

it was perfectly paced with pleasant surprises. if you think that guy know the ending, you are probably wrong.

EXCELLENT!!!

This is an amazing retelling of Oedipus & I cannot recommend it highly enough. No magic, all brilliant storytelling.