Synopses & Reviews
Ariadne is destined to become a goddess of the moon. She leads a lonely life, finding companionship only with her beloved, misshapen brother Asterion, who must be held captive below the palace for his own safety.
Then a ship arrives bearing a tribute of slaves from Athens, and Ariadne meets Theseus, the son of the king of Athens. Ariadne finds herself drawn to the newcomer, and soon they form a friendshipone that could perhaps become something more.
But Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the minotaur, that monster beneath the palaceunless he can kill the beast first. And that "monster" is Ariadnes brother . . .
Review
"Ariadne weaves a new tale in a historically rich reworking of Theseus and the Minotaur... A world and story both excitingly alien and pleasingly familiar."—
Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Fans of historical fiction and Greek myths should be pleased."—Booklist
Synopsis
A young girl, the sole survivor of a pirate raid of an island kingdom in ancient Greece, reinvents herself as the island's princess. When rescued, Anaxandra soon finds herself in the midst of events that plunge Sparta and Troy into war.
About the Author
Tracy Barrett teaches Italian language and civilization at Vanderbilt University. Her books include King of Ithaka, On Etruscan Time, Cold in Summer, Anna of Byzantium, and the Sherlock Files series. Tracy lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit her website at www.tracybarrett.com.
Reading Group Guide
The World of Mythology
Stories of a world filled with gods and goddesses and imaginary people and places are called myths. Written to entertain and enlighten, all myths:
• Lack identifiable authors
• Exist in multiple versions
• Are transmitted by oral tradition
• Seek to explain the origins of the world, human society, and culture
The gods and goddesses of mythology rule the lives and control the fate of mortals; the gods expect devotion and punish mortals who don’t pay them the proper respect. To anger a god or goddess is sure to bring death and destruction, but to have a god or goddess show you favor is sure to bring you joy and love. The gods themselves have no code of ethics to follow, and therefore, do whatever they please to whomever they please.
Pre-Reading Activity
In order for students to better understand the gods and goddesses in these books, have them read the “Author’s Note” and “About the Gods” in
Quiver by Stephanie Spinner; the “Afterword” in
Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney; and the “Genealogy of the Gods in this Tale,” “Cast of Characters,” and “Afterword” in
The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli. Then discuss with your students the implications the information might have on the story. Draw a genealogy chart on the board tracing the gods and goddesses your students read about in the selections you have assigned.
1. “Anaxandra was just the right name for me,” Anaxandra declares. (p. 1) She often examines the names of people and places and their meanings. Think about the importance of names in this novel. How does Pleis’ broken pronunciation “Calli Sto” symbolize Anaxandra’s story? Why is it important that Anaxandra’s birth island had no name?
2. Consider the merchant’s glass jar in Gythion. “I could see through it,” Anaxandra thinks in amazement. “The merchant dropped a shiny red bead into the jar and I could still see the bead. . . . It contained, but did not hide.” (p. 56) How does this observation parallel Anaxandra’s life? The merchant says that glass “[breaks] more easily than hearts.” (p. 57) What is symbolic about the moment the glass breaks? (p. 80)
3. Anaxandra says “I will die as Anaxandra” when she fears Helen’s wrath on the journey to Troy. (p. 132) Similarly, when she befriends the princess Andromache, she becomes “dizzy with the desire to tell her the truth.” (p. 177) Why, at these particular moments, does Anaxandra’s true identity become so important to her?
4. While telling Euneus stories of her past, Anaxandra blends truths in order to tell him about the loss of the puppy she had on her birth island: “In this version, I had lost Seaweed at Siphnos.” (p. 196) How does this help Anaxandra preserve pieces of truth?
5. Anaxandra is not the only character whose identity is vulnerable. Discuss the enslaved former queen Aethra, especially in the context of this moment: “The squire bowed, as if Aethra was still a queen. And she was.” (p. 158) Also, discuss the implications of Helen’s rejection of old loyalties to Menelaus and Sparta when she fiercely proclaims herself “Helen of Troy.” (p. 125) How do Helen’s and Aethra’s changes attest to the resilience of human identity?
6. Helen commands attention; her power is irrefutable. Just by smiling, she causes everyone to yearn “to do or say something to make that smile return.” (p. 100) Think about the many other instances that prove her vast power, which seems to derive from her beauty, disposition, and half-god birthright. Compare this power to examples of male power in this novel.
7. Consider the significance of gender in the relationships and societies in this novel. Examine these quotes in your discussion:
“A girl as hostage?” (p. 2)
“Nicander . . . brought back the usual treasure: grain, women, lumber.” (p. 20)
“No man wants wealth more than sons.” (p. 19)
“Priam has many wives.” (p. 50)
“But to take a king’s son.” (p. 126)
8. Cassandra, a prisoner in her own land, can see past, present, and future. “And yet it was Cassandra the people feared.” (p. 209) Discuss why her omniscience and outspoken truths incite perhaps more fear than Helen’s treachery.
9. Throughout the novel, Troy is described as a mystifying and invincible city. Consider Anaxandra’s thought that Troy “did not cringe inside walls. Troy was the wall.” (p. 166) In what ways is Anaxandra like Troy?