For the Winner

September 15, 2017

This second novel (after For the Most Beautiful) in a planned trilogy by Hauser (classics, Yale Univ.) revisits the Greek legend of Jason and the Argonauts from the perspective of the sole female Argonaut, Atalanta, who at birth was left to die on a mountain by her father, the King of Pagasae. Raised in Kaladrosos, she embraces her natural athletic talent, hunting, fighting, and running as well as any man. When she discovers her true birthright, she vows to win the favor of her royal father. Disguised as a young man, she travels to Pagasae and hunts with Jason and other heroes, joining their quest for the mythical Golden Fleece, knowing the prophecy that whoever wins the fleece will rule the kingdom. Meanwhile, the gods on Mount Olympus play their part in the saga as they try to influence the human contests on Earth. VERDICT The narrative voice of Atalanta, which offers a fresh point of view on a well-known myth, will attract fans of Margaret George's Helen of Troy, Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad, and Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles. A solid choice for readers of historical and adventure fiction.--Catherine Lantz, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago Lib.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017
Classics scholar Hauser focused on the women of Troy in the Iliad in her first novel, For the Most Beautiful (2017). In the second in a planned trilogy inspired by Greek mythology viewed from a female perspective, she takes an overlooked character in the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, Princess Atalanta, and transforms her adventures into a parable that will resonate with contemporary readers. Abandoned in the mountains by her father, the King of Pagasae, raised by simple peasants, and watched over by often-interfering gods, Atalanta teaches herself all the necessary survival skills. Disguising herself as a man, she joins the voyage of the Argo where she clashes with her cousin, Jason, who is cruelly determined to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece by whatever means necessary. Exiled by her shipmates when her gender is revealed, Atalanta exercises her considerable physical prowess and mental cunning in a quest to achieve her rightful inheritance. Kudos to Hauser for presenting a rousing tale of adventure and adversary, featuring a feminist heroine for the ages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)