“Beutner has elevated a relatively minor character in Greek mythology to a major player,” writes Booklist of Alcestis. “In this reworking of the classic legend…Beutner spices up this classic tale with a decidedly Sapphic flavor.” Have we gotten your attention now?
In Greek myth, Alcestis is known as the ideal good wife; she loved her husband so much that she died to save his life and was sent to the underworld in his place. Author Katharine Beutner gives voice to the woman behind the ideal, bringing to life the world of Mycenaean Greece, a world peopled by capricious gods, where royal women are confined to the palace grounds and passed as possessions from father to husband. But once in the realm of the dead, Alcestis falls in love with the goddess Persephone and discovers the true horror and beauty of death.
We at Wonders & Marvels have four copies of Alcestis for our giveaway. To enter, simply comment in response to this question by 11:59 PM EST February 28, 2010:
What little-known character in history deserves to be in the spotlight and have his or her story told?
Good luck! (Sorry, at this time, we can only ship to U.S. winners.)
