STEALING ATHENA

by Karen Essex



Stealing Athena is two stories told in parallel. One is the story of Aspasia, consort of Pericles, leader during the Golden Age of Athens. The other, set in the early 19th century, is of Mary, Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin, who, amid political turbulence and controversy, brought some of the sculptures of the Parthenon, known as the Elgin Marbles, to England.

Though they lived over two millennia apart, the experiences of the two women are strikingly similar. Both intelligent and independent-minded, they try to get along in male-dominated worlds. They work in the background to help their men achieve the glory they seek so desperately. They bear and raise the children that will carry on their men's names. But when they chafe against long-held custom, each will face the wrath of her society and each will triumph in her own way. And through it all, the reader will watch the construction and deconstruction of one of the most famous buildings in the world -- the Parthenon.

For readers who like the "learning" aspects of reading historicals, but don't like to be bogged down by pages and pages of details, Stealing Athena is perfect. The history included is most absorbing, but the bulk of the book truly revolves around Aspasia and Mary and how they cope when it seems the world has conspired against not only themselves, but against all women. In a letter to readers, author Karen Essex says, "I made it my goal to revive the stories of extraordinary women, highlighting the ways that they transformed the times in which they lived and the world beyond." Stealing Athena accomplishes this worthy aspiration in spades!

Lezlie

For more on Karen Essex and her work, see her Official Website.

To read an interview with Ms. Essex from the Historical Boys blog by historical author C.W. Gortner, click here!