Andromeda: A Book Review
Andromeda is a refreshing retelling of the story of Andromeda, the famed Greek princess, that reimagines her as an active participant in her own story rather than a passive figure waiting to be rescued. The story incorporates sapphic and queer themes, giving a fresh perspective to a well-known myth and making it stand out from more traditional retellings.
The story follows Andromeda, Princess of Aethiopia, who is blessed at birth by Athena and Aphrodite and is clearly destined for something extraordinary. Her childhood is portrayed as warm and carefree, filled with afternoons spent with her grandmother Achiroe, a naiad, listening to stories, learning songs, and having her hair braided with water lilies. However, even these happy moments are overshadowed by the expectations placed upon her, particularly by her mother, Cassiopeia.
Cassiopeia Andromeda’s mother is an interesting character. A charismatic and ambitious Egyptian woman, daughter of a merchant and an ally of the Pharaoh’s general and had been intended as a priestess of the Egyptian Goddess Thwaret. She was made to abandon her faith upon marrying Cepheus, even though Aethiopia was geographically proximate to Egypt. Through her character, the novel subtly touches on themes of cultural assimilation and the spread of Hellenistic religion. Cassiopeia dreams of Andromeda becoming a powerful queen through marriage, while Cepheus and Achiroe favour a marriage between Andromeda and her uncle, Phineus. Andromeda herself often tries to convince herself that marrying Phineus would not be such a bad fate, as it would allow her to remain home.
The story takes a darker turn when Cassiopeia’s boast provokes Poseidon’s wrath, leading to the arrival of Ceto, who is tasked with guarding Andromeda and keeping watch over her. The relationship between Andromeda and Ceto is undoubtedly one of the strongest aspects of the novel. Ceto is sharp-tongued, guarded, and deeply weary of the gods, while Andromeda remains hopeful and compassionate. Their dynamic develops through a well-written enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine arc that never feels forced. As they slowly grow closer, their shared struggle against the limitations imposed on them by fate and the gods creates a compelling emotional connection. Ceto’s decision to sacrifice herself and defy Poseidon in an attempt to free Andromeda from the fate imposed upon her by the bargain between Cassiopeia and Poseidon is moving.
One of the most effective aspects of the novel is its narrative structure. The first part and much of the second are told from Andromeda’s first-person narrative, allowing readers to become deeply invested in her thoughts and emotions, from her childhood till she comes of age. Following the tragedy, the novel seamlessly shifts into third-person narration. This change mirrors Andromeda’s emotional state, highlighting her grief, depression, and sense of detachment from her own life. Although she eventually builds a life with Perseus and starts a family, her longing for Ceto never truly disappears. When the narrative eventually returns to first person, it coincides with Andromeda reclaiming control over her own life and making choices for herself once again. In this version of the myth, Andromeda does not need a hero to save her; instead, she becomes the architect of her own fate.
The ending ties the novel back to the traditional myth surprisingly well, bringing together both the original story and the author’s reinterpretation in a satisfying way. The prose is lyrical without being overwhelming, and the novel’s celebration of Black and Brown women as beautiful, powerful, and worthy of being at the centre of mythological stories is particularly noteworthy.
- Pranathi