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Ariadne

Ariadne
Ariadne

Jennifer Saint

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Synopsis


**The mesmerising retelling from the woman at the heart of one of Ancient Greece's most famous myths.**

'I absolutely adored this book and am encouraging everyone I know to buy a copy.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

'The last few pages will easily become tear soaked. I loved every minute of this book' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

'A lyrical, insightful re-telling' - Daily Mail

'If you like Madeline Miller's Circe and Song of Achilles, you will eat up Ariadne [. . .] Saint makes it a page-turner' - Glamour

'Exquisitely written and exceptionally moving, this is a mythical retelling to savour.' - Elodie Harper, author of THE WOLF DEN

'ARIADNE gives voice to the misused Princess of Crete who betrayed her father to save Theseus from the Minotaur. Relevant and revelatory.' - Stylist

Ariadne, Princess of Crete and daughter of the fearsome King Minos, grows up hearing stories of gods and heroes. But beneath the golden palace something else stirs, the hoofbeats and bellows echoing from the Labyrinth below. Every year its captive, the Minotaur - Ariadne's brother - demands blood.

When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives as a sacrifice to the beast, Ariadne sees in him her chance to escape. But helping Theseus kill the monster means betraying her family and country, and Ariadne knows only too well that drawing the attention of the mercurial gods may cost her everything.

In a world where women are nothing more than the pawns of powerful men, will Ariadne's decision to risk everything for love ensure her happy ending? Or will she find herself sacrificed for her lover's ambition?

ARIADNE gives a voice to the forgotten women of one of the most famous Greek myths. Beautifully written and completely immersive, this exceptional debut novel is perfect for fans of CIRCE, A SONG OF ACHILLES, and THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS.

'With her wonderfully executed debut that reimagines the classic tale of Theseus, Adriane and the Minotaur, Jennifer Saint joins the likes of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker in forging mesmerising retellings of ancient Greek myths from a female perspective.' - Waterstones.com

'Saint's immersive novel thrusts the reader straight into the heart of Greek mythology with this wonderful reimagining of the story of Ariadne.' - iPaper

'What happens after the monster is defeated and the princess leaves with the hero? Jennifer Saint's ARIADNE is a shimmering tapestry of two sisters bound by deceit and the shadows of family history. . .With a fresh voice and keen insight, Saint adds flesh and bone to an ancient myth, drawing the reader into an uneasy world of ever-afters.' - Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of THE NIGHT TIGER

WHAT THE READERS ARE SAYING...

'Stunning writing, fabulous storytelling and surprisingly real characters who you could empathise with' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'This is an essential book in the new and rising volume of retelling from the women's point of view - so revealing and questioning. The ending 5 pages of this book killed me.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'So real, so matter of fact, like a good chat on a girls' night out.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summary

Chapter 1: The Maiden

* Ariadne, a young woman, is discovered by Zeus in the form of a bull.
* He takes her to his palace on Crete, where she becomes his mistress.

Example: As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the meadow, Ariadne emerged from the forest, her laughter carried by the breeze. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders like a silken waterfall, and her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. Just as she was about to step into the clearing, a deafening roar shook the ground beneath her feet. A magnificent white bull, its horns gleaming in the fading light, bounded toward her. Ariadne stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest.

Chapter 2: The Labyrinth

* Ariadne's half-brother, Minos, imprisons the monstrous Minotaur in a labyrinth designed by Daedalus.
* Ariadne helps Theseus, an Athenian hero, to navigate the labyrinth and slay the Minotaur.

Example: The labyrinth was a monstrous creation, its walls winding and twisting like an endless maze. Damp and cold, with an oppressive silence that seemed to suffocate all who entered, it was a place where hope withered and despair took hold. Theseus, his sword drawn and his face grim with determination, gripped Ariadne's hand as she guided him through the treacherous paths.

Chapter 3: The Abandonment

* After slaying the Minotaur, Theseus abandons Ariadne on the island of Naxos.
* She is heartbroken and betrayed.

Example: As their ship sailed away from Naxos, leaving Ariadne alone and forsaken, a wave of sorrow washed over her. She had given her heart and soul to Theseus, believing that their love would conquer all. But now, she was nothing more than a discarded memory, abandoned on a desolate island where her dreams lay shattered.

Chapter 4: The Constellation

* Dionysus, the god of wine, finds Ariadne on Naxos and marries her.
* Zeus immortalizes her as the constellation Corona Borealis.

Example: In the starlit sky above, a constellation known as Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, shone brightly. Its seven stars, each representing a teardrop shed by Ariadne, formed a celestial diadem symbolizing her celestial transformation. To those who gazed upon it, it was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and redemption could be found.