Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati: Book Club Discussion Questions

Genre: Greek Mythology Goodreads rating: 4.25

In Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati, power, prophecy and patriarchy shape the life of one of Greek mythology’s most infamous queens. Born into a brutal world of gods and kings, Clytemnestra refuses to be silent in the face of betrayal, sacrifice and war. From Sparta to Mycenae, her story is one of grief, rage and resilience, as she is pushed to the limits of love and vengeance; and ultimately claims her own fearsome legacy.

Below, you’ll find our book club discussion questions, created by our group of passionate book lovers and readers at Chapter 25. These Clytemnestra discussion questions are designed to spark thoughtful conversation, whether you’re reading with a mythology-focused group or simply gathering with

friends to explore the novel’s themes of power, motherhood, ambition

and revenge.

If you’d like to watch our Q&A with Costanza Casati, you can find it here.

Clytemnestra Discussion Questions:

• How does Clytemnestra evolve from her early life to her eventual role as a queen and mother?

  
  

• Clytemnestra and the rest of the girls in Sparta are trained to fight as children. How does this warrior mentality guide her throughout the novel? How does this set her apart from other heroines you have read before?

  
  

• How is Helen portrayed differently in Clytemnestra compared to other myths What impact does she have on Clytemnestra's life?

  
  

• How does the novel reflect the roles and expectations of women in ancient Greek society?

  
  

• How does the novel portray the dynamics of marriage, particularly in the relationship between Clytemnestra and Agamemnon?

  
  

• Clytemnestra lost a lot of her loved ones throughout her life. Which one do you think impacted her the most? Which one shocked you most as the reader? The murder of Clytemnestra’s first husband, Tantalus, and her baby is not told from the perspective of Clytemnestra herself. How did you read this change in perspective?

  
  

• How are themes of loyalty and betrayal explored in the relationships between the characters?

  
  

• What role does prophecy play in the story, and how do the characters respond to it?

  
  

• Which character did you connect with the most, and why?

  
  

• Do you think Clytemnestra’s actions are driven more by revenge or justice? How do these concepts intertwine in the novel?

  
  

• In what ways does the novel make you sympathize with or question Clytemnestra’s decisions?

  
  

• Compare and contrast Clytemnestra’s relationship with Agamemnon and Aegisthus. What do these relationships reveal about her character?

  
  

• How did the book's pacing affect your reading experience?

  
  

• How does Clytemnestra challenge or reinforce your understanding of moral complexity in mythological figures?

  
  

• Why do you think Clytemnestra did not kill Cassandra, her husband's war trophy. Do you think she planned to kill her at a later time?

  
  

• How does Aegisthus influence Clytemnestra's decisions? Do you see him as a manipulator or a genuine partner?

  
  

• How is Iphigenia's sacrifice depicted, and what lasting impact does it have on Clytemnestra?

  
  

• How does the novel depict Clytemnestra’s relationship with her children, particularly Iphigenia and Orestes?

  
  

• Did the ending satisfy you? How would you have ended the story differently?

  
  

• What was your overall impression of the book? Did it meet your expectations?

  
  

• Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

Check out our conversation with Costanza Casati:

HERE