Chris' Fish Place

Disclaimer: For the sake of honesty, I picked up this book after one of the authors sent me an email.  She had noticed that I placed a later book in the series on my TBR shelf and recommended reading them in order.

                The concept behind this novel is interesting, and the writing is compelling.  Taking the story of Oedipus, Grossack and Underwood recast it though the lenses of Jocasta, adding more depth to a woman who was known solely for her relationships.

                The writing is good, and in particular, the inversions and solving of riddles of the story – such as the Sphinx, are great.  They get huge bonus points for the Sphinx twist.  It’s strange then, that the central character of Jocasta is one that needs more depth.  In some ways, she is just as unknowable in the novel as she is in the myth.  Part of this is because of her reaction when the truth about her second husband is revealed.  Quite frankly, shouldn’t there be some more internal conflict, and part of it is that I am never quite sure why the people seem to think that she is a good queen, other than the fact that she shows herself to the people.

                It isn’t a lack of skill on the part of the author, Jocasta’s brother Creon is a fascinating done character, but perhaps limits of the character herself.  It is this limit that makes the good, but not great.  I shouldn’t find myself wondering more about Niobe, say, than Jocasta.

                I will, however, be reading other books in this series.