Phaedra

by Laura Shepperson Narrated by Jade Wheeler, Mary Helen Gallucci, Julia Atwood, Mark Owen, Erin DeWard, Leon Nixon, Nicky Endres

Overview

Phaedra has been cast to the side all her life: daughter of an adulteress, sister of a monster, and now unwilling bride to the much-older, power-hungry Theseus. Young, naïve, and idealistic, she has accepted her lot in life, resigned to existing under the sinister weight of Theseus's control and the constant watchful eye of her handsome stepson Hippolytus. When supposedly pious Hippolytus assaults her, Phaedra's world is darkened in the face of untouchable, prideful power. In the face of injustice, Phaedra refuses to remain quiet any longer: such an awful truth demands to be brought to light. When Phaedra publicly accuses Hippolytus of rape, she sparks an overdue reckoning. The men of Athens gather to determine the truth. Meanwhile, the women of the city, who have no vote, are gathering in the shadows. The women know truth is a slippery thing in the hands of men. There are two sides to every story, and theirs has gone unheard-until now. Timely, unflinching, and transportive, Laura Shepperson's Phaedra carves open long-accepted wounds to give voice to one of the most maligned figures of mythology and offers a stunning story of how truth bends under the weight of patriarchy but can be broken open by the force of one woman's bravery.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal - Audio

03/01/2023

Phaedra, the half-sister of the Minotaur and a less sought-after princess than her infamous sister, Ariadne, is now the unwilling bride of the power-hungry king of Athens, Theseus. Inexperienced and naive, Phaedra is taken from her home and thrust into a world that she does not know and cannot control. When she is assaulted by her stepson, Hippolytus, Phaedra falls pregnant and accuses him of rape. Though he is found guilty, vengeance is not served, and Phaedra learns that women are often at the mercy of powerful men. Shepperson rewrites a well-known myth with a fresh take on power dynamics, choices, and the whims of the gods. Though the tale is ancient, Shepperson's debut resonates with its too-familiar message of abused women struggling to be heard. Narrated by a stunning cast of eight, led by Jade Wheeler and Mary Ellen Galluci, this audiobook transports listeners to ancient Greece, with its choruses, furies, gods, demigods, and mere mortals. VERDICT Fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes will enjoy this sweeping tale. This feminist retelling would be an excellent addition to any Greek myth collection.—Elyssa Everling

June 2023 - AudioFile

A feminist reimagining of the plight of Phaedra in this audiobook highlights the power dynamics that characterize many Greek myths. Through a series of misfortunes, Phaedra is married to Theseus. It's a loveless marriage, and she faces a bleak future. Rather than be branded a seductress, Phaedra accuses her stepson, Hippolytus, of raping her. He is convicted, but, ultimately, she is seen as a guilty outsider. Written in the format of a Greek tragedy, the story includes many points of view. The group of narrators greatly aid the listener in distinguishing the voices and creating a distinctive chorus. A number of Greek names, for example, Poseidon, are given nonstandard pronunciations. Kudos to the publisher for identifying the roles of each narrator in the credits. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176766653
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	01/10/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	919,525

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