After hearing from a Buddhist monk that her father will regain his sight if he makes an offering of 300 sacks of rice, Sim Cheong decides to sell herself to some merchants, who are seeking a willing maiden who they can sacrifice to the sea. The Tale of Shim Chong (or Sim Cheong) is a story from Korean folklore about a poor, blind father and his daughter, the titular Sim Cheong. Where to buy ElektraĪmazon Australia ( $27.35) | Booktopia ( $26.90) The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh Image: Hodder & Stoughton What was the original myth? Was she a puppet to her father’s agenda? Did she hate her mother all this time? How was she treated while her father was away during The Trojan War? So many questions, yet so many answers to find out. The book explains what pushes Elektra to avenge her father, despite her mother’s crimes. It’s a novel that captures a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. But it also captures the perspectives of both her mother Clytemnestra and Cassandra. What’s Elektra about?Įlektra is the latest feminist retelling to be published by Jennifer Saint and obviously, follows the story of our vengeful friend. They succeed, although Orestes spends the rest of his days pursued by Furies, while Elektra gets away Fury-free.

So Elektra teams up with her brother, Orestes, and plots to murder her mother and her lover. Revenge is a big thing in Greek myth, especially when it concerns one’s bloodline. Understandably, she murders him and poor Cassandra when they return.īut here’s where it gets juicy.

Anyway, Elektra’s mother was pretty peeved at Agamemnon because he sacrificed their other daughter, Iphigenia, at the start of the Trojan War in order to secure “a good wind”. When King Agamemnon arrived home, he brought back a lover (read: “war prize”) of his own, Cassandra. Because Sparta has a tradition of two kings, Menelaus rallied his brother, Agamemnon, and took off in pursuit to Troy, where they led a huge Greek army against Trojan forces for 10 years.ĭuring that decade of war, Agamemnon’s wife Clytemnestra patiently waited back home with her lover keeping her company. The Trojan War was started after a Prince from Troy, named Paris, allegedly abducted Helen, who was the wife of Spartan King, called Menelaus. We kinda need to talk a few steps back to get some context into why Elektra is such an important figure in Greek myth and it all goes back to The Trojan War.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve GornichecĮlektra by Jennifer Saint Image: Wildfire What was the original myth?Įlektra is fleetingly referenced as the daughter of King Agamemnon and his queen, Clytemnestra in Greek mythology.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh.

Ariadne by jennifer saint summary