Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

Atlanta is the latest in Jennifer Saint’s reimagining of Greek myths; the earlier tales being Ariadne and Elektra. If you have read either of those, you will know that Saint’s story will be an account of a strong determined woman struggling against the misogyny of a male-dominated world. Who, even today, knows that there was a woman aboard the fabled journey of Jason and the Argonauts? Saint has researched the ancient sources. Atalanta was the only woman, a heroine backed by the goddess Artemis, to venture as an equal with the heroes of the ancient world, sailing on the quest to seize the Golden Fleece. But, as a woman, she has been forgotten, or purposely ignored, and history only remembers the male heroes.

Atalanta started life as a female baby abandoned on a mountain to be raised by wild bears. She becomes one of Artemis’s followers, a woman amongst the nymphs that Artemis protects as long as they swear to a life of celibacy, scorning the attentions of men. Atalanta becomes a skilled huntress, running faster than any man, and an unrivalled archer. Because of her unparalleled abilities, Artemis sends Atalanta as her champion, to join the finest heroes of the land, to join Jason’s expedition.

And so we discover that many of the successes of that journey were due to Atalanta’s clear headed thinking, determination and skill, abilities that her fellow adventurers are reluctant to acknowledge, because it goes against all their preconceptions of the role of a woman.

Atalanta is determined to prove herself, to defeat every man, but the final crisis for her becomes choosing between asserting her superiority and glory, or allowing a man to win her love and become part of her life.

The story of Atalanta is one that may still resonate for readers today: the female experience of being overlooked or unappreciated in the workplace, the status always going to men. Saint calls it out, and reminds us that women still face issues of inequality and discrimination. But while the lessons are there, her books are a wonderful immersion in a mythical world that are such a joy to read. I am sure that her readers will enjoy this one also.

Themes: Greek mythology, Women, Misogyny, Sexism, Heroine, Champion.

Helen Eddy