Jennifer Saint
Jennifer Saint’s debut novel, Ariadne, retells the story of Ariadne and her sister, Phaedra. Part I is devoted to the first-person point of view of Ariadne. Parts II and III alternate between Ariadne and Phaedra. Part IV focuses on Ariadne. The novel follows the basic outline of the myth, beginning with Ariadne’s childhood; the birth of her brother, the minotaur; her assistance to Theseus and subsequent abandonment by him on the island of Naxos; his marriage to her sister, Phaedra; Ariadne’s marriage to Dionysus; and Phaedra’s love for Hippolytus. It concludes with the tragic end of the two sisters.
Saint gives voice to women in Greek mythology whose voices have been silent. We see the devastating impact of patriarchy on the lives innocent girls and women. King Minos and Theseus are depicted as misogynistic, self-serving males who use women as pawns to further their agenda. The Greek gods fare no better. Even Dionysus, who initially appears as differing from his immortal counterparts, emerges as having the same streak of cruelty and power-hungry appetite.
Greek mythology invariably depicts women as victims of betrayal, violence, and jealousy. What is needed is a fresh approach to their stories, including the story of Ariadne and Phaedra. Unfortunately, the novel fails in this regard. Ariadne emerges as a passive character more acted upon than acting. The only time she shows agency is when she helps Theseus escape from the labyrinth. Even then, she is motivated by her love for Theseus. In other words, the male is the catalyst that spurs her to action. After her abandonment on Naxos, she is helpless until Dionysus rescues her. She marries him, gives birth to his sons, and turns a blind eye to his wonderings and drunken, bloodthirsty, orgiastic rituals until Phaedra accuses her of choosing to remain in blissful ignorance. Phaedra shows greater agency in that she tries to navigate a space for herself in governing Athens during Theseus’ many absences. But like Ariadne, she looks to a male for salvation, which leads to disaster.
Saint’s knowledge of Greek mythology is impressive as is her ability to weave multiple stories from myths into her narrative. But the prose is cumbersome and flowery. The middle section dragged and is especially heavy on telling rather than showing. The dialogue is stiff and unnatural. The characters are flat and not particularly interesting. And the relationship between the two sisters feels strained and artificial. Although Ariadne and Phaedra live in a heavily patriarchal world with little space to maneuver, more could have been done to develop their characters as active, vibrant agents with greater reliance on themselves and each other. Instead, they rely on males to navigate the situation for them. It is disappointing that a myth with the potential to portray assertive, empowered, self-reliant females with a strong sisterhood bond fails to capitalize on its potential.
Recommended with reservations.