The Children of Jocasta - Natalie Haynes

The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes is a powerful retelling of the Oedipus and Antigone myths from the perspectives of the often-sidelined women in the story. Centered on Jocasta, a young girl forced into marriage with the King of Thebes, and Ismene, a princess whose life is upended by violence, the novel explores the haunting legacies of family curses, trauma, and survival. Through vivid, emotionally resonant prose, Haynes reimagines the tragic myth to spotlight the inner lives, strength, and agency of its female characters, offering a fresh and deeply human take on a classic tale.