Iokaste: The Novel of the Mother-Wife of Oedipus

by Victoria Grossack and Alice Underwood

Book Overview

Young and beautiful, born to a powerful family, Jocasta is destined to become Queen of Thebes... trapped in a loveless marriage, she cannot save her firstborn child from her husband's wrath... left... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1413726755
• ISBN13: 9781413726756
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Publish America
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A great story , the detail is amazing

I've loved Greek myths since I was a boy so when I encountered this book through a review, I looked forward to a new telling of the Oedipus story in the form of a novel. The new point of view was particularly interesting because of the authors' command of the details of both Greek life both secular and religious. Further, the character development is believable and entrancing. This is particularly unusual when dealing with myths where, to maintain their archetyple identities, each character plays their unchanging role and does not deviate - there is no character development. Truly incredible was the treatment of Tiresius. A great book - I hope the authors have more books in their plans for the future.

from the over 50 and under 20 group:

I have not thought much about the Oedipus story in 35 years, but do remember that it was pushed down my throat in school, as many of today's students may feel. However, there is not a dull page in this book, and no lineage charts or maps to make reading it seem like work. All the info is there, though, deftly incorporated in the text. The book is pure pleasure, and as they say, is so enjoyable that you learn without realizing it. I loved the book, as did my daughter who read it along with her Oedipus studies in school. There's the great advantage too, to the woman's perspective in the book. For example, we see the teenage Iokaste physically restrained by two different men within a short passage and hear her thoughts express a wide range of feelings, all of which a growing American girl will grapple with today. Also, she shows us the upbringing of a daughter of nobility -from the time when she is displayed as a possible bride choice, through the taking away of her infant son due to fear of the prophecy, to her growth into her duties as queen. This is a truly multi-layered character. I question the birth scene, only because I suspect that young women of the time had infinitely more knowledge and support about the natural birthing process than young mothers do today, and did not experience it in as painful a way as we do. But I have a home-birth mom's perspective and who knows what was the case?

"Many A Man Before This Has In Dreams Lain With His Mother"

"Iokaste: The Novel Of The Mother/Wife Of Oedipus" by Grossack and Underwood tackles a great greek myth with gusto exposing a woman/wife/mother's point of view to which the likes of Bulfinch & Hamilton would thoroughly appreciate! The prologue of the novel is set 40 years into Iokaste's reign as Queen Of Thebes on the impending dawn of the day of her demise for her "unspeakable acts". She is questioned by her youngest daughter, Ismene if the "talk of Thebes" is true and Iokaste must answer in the affirmative. While Iokaste seats her daughter beside her, she tells her child the family story from her beginnings - Iokaste's prophetic betrothal and royal destiny at the tender age of 14 through the present day tumultuous Thebes... There is little that is written about Queen Iokaste/Jocasta/Epikatse (depending on your preferred or precise translation) and this historical/mythological novel is an authoritative, entertaining and wonderful retelling of one of the most powerful Greek stories in history! If you enjoy mythology of ANY kind, you will really appreciate this novel as I did! Happy Reading!

Another side of the story...

The myth surrounding Oedipus is one that is well ingrained into the psyche of modern culture, thanks to the twin pillars of the original Oedipus cycle of stories from ancient Greece, and the more modern adaptation of those mythological stories by Sigmund Freud into a controversial feature of the human psychological development. The Oedipus complex is well-known; the stories from which Freud derived his inspiration are similarly well-known, but generally only from the perspective of Oedipus. It was not uncommon in ancient mythology and drama (there was no way to separate the two conveniently) for the narratives to be told from one perspective only, that of the hero or the tragic figure, which, in the case of Oedipus, is one in the same. Even more rare is the voice of a woman - Antigone is a rare character in ancient Greek stories in this regard. Authors Victoria Grossack and Alice Underwood collaborated to add a new dimension to the Oedipus tale, one that is both modern and faithful to the ancient stories - here we meet the primary character Iokaste, the mother of Oedipus, doomed to marry her son despite best efforts to prevent the event, and in becoming his wife to commit a sin that would mean the downfall of the family, if not the city of Thebes. Iokaste is presented here as a strong character, not merely the victim upon which these tragedies are played out - a mother who loses her son, only to regain him again in a most shocking fashion, one that is incredibly costly. Iokaste is presented here in full emotion and full action - near the conclusion, Iokaste recounts that she has been queen of Thebes for nearly forty years. The reader can sense the heartbreak as she thinks, 'I have four - nay, five children, and a husband whom I adore; who has adored me up until yesterday.' Iokaste is presented here as an introspective woman, but also a woman of action. Fate has dealt her a bad hand, but she still finds love and value in those around her. She is a strong woman, but as with all human beings (particularly in the Greek stories), fate is ultimately stronger. The writing is lively and intense, and the action is both interesting and dramatic; this is no dry-and-dusty tome from days of yore. The authors do us a service in adding a new element to the narrative of Oedipus; perhaps a sequel following Antigone would be a good follow-up? One can hope...

Engaging Perspective of the Story of Oedipus and Iokaste

"Iokaste: The Novel of the Mother-Wife of Oedipus" is a thoroughly entrancing read, a page turner, simply impossible to put down! Grossack and Underwood reveal rich new dimensions of character depth and plot development in their innovative retelling of the story of Oedipus through Iokaste's eyes. Instead of another scholar's staid translation of the well-worn Greek text, Grossack and Underwood take us on a compelling journey. Told from the perspective of Iokaste, this novel begins with Iokaste's ill-fated marriage to King Laius, the father of her child Oedipus. As the story unfolds, the authors treat us to a beautiful combination of well-developed character story lines. It is easy to fall in love with the tragic plight of each character. Laius is held captive to his woeful and single-minded focus on a prophecy that eats every day at his happiness. How one wishes he would live life! Iokaste is an innocent victim of unending and unfair fates. Yet she is a passionate and rich spirit for whom one cannot help but feel wonder and compassion. Oedipus's fate stems from the ill-fate of his Mother. Like Iokaste, he is seemingly innocent, but the Gods, whom Oedipus serves unwaveringly, plague his life with bad omen. And Kreon is a loyal brother in the beginning, yet over time a leader of questionable morals. His story leaves a slightly bitter taste, and one wonders how he has thus far escaped the prophecy of the Gods. The characters come alive with an honesty and accessibility almost never seen in traditional renditions of the Greek classic, truly a treat for any lover of a good read. Grossack and Underwood's captivating novel whirl winds the imagination into a contemplation of Fate and how to live life to the fullest. Well researched and academically sound, yet powerful and evocative to a modern audience, "Iokaste: The Novel of the Mother-Wife of Oedipus" is grounded in a spectacularly balanced cross-comparison and combination of ancient Greek mythology. A must read!