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Publisher Description
A Chicago Public Library Teen-Approved Best Book of 2023
“A powerful feminist retelling of an ancient tale about empathy and defiance, written in beautiful verse from a truly unique viewpoint.” —Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor–winning author of The Surrender Tree and Young People’s Poet Laureate
The Song of Achilles and Circe get a sapphic, young adult twist in this “exciting, richly textured, thought-provoking” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) retelling of the myth of Arachne spun in moving verse.
Arachne is a homely girl with no claims to divinity or fortune, ostracized by all but her family and closest friend, Celandine. Turning to her loom for solace, Arachne learns to weave, finding her voice and her strength through the craft. After a devastating loss, Arachne and Celandine flee to the city of Colophon, where Arachne’s skills are put to the test. Word of her talent spreads quickly, leading to a confrontation with the goddess Athena, who demands that Arachne repent for her insolence and pride.
But Arachne will not be silenced. She challenges Athena, and a fateful weaving contest ensues, resulting in an exposé of divine misdeeds, a shocking transformation, and unexpected redemption.
A brilliant weaver of words, author Rebecca Caprara transforms an ancient myth into a sweeping novel in verse, unraveling the tales that frame Arachne as a villainess and deliver a timely story of long-awaited justice.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Via alternating past and present narration told in sensate verse, Caprara (Worst-Case Collin) cultivates a tale of ill-fated competition between mortals and gods in this captivating read, a crash course in Greek mythology. Arachne often questions what the gods have done to warrant their station, especially when offerings upon their altars leave her feeling "unchanged./ I feel no divine infusion/ of confidence or strength./ My prayer, unanswered or unheard." Wishing to engineer a good life for herself without the gods' help, the 16-year-old takes up weaving; her prowess soon becomes well-known throughout the land of Lydia, garnering unwanted attention from jealous goddess Athena. Arachne's wariness of the gods worsens when her friend Celandine is sexually assaulted. Arachne's righteous anger, well-earned pride, and determination to rail against her society's mores and strata are palpably wrought. Intricate descriptions of traditional weaving practices feature prominently throughout, and related terminology serves as section titles, signaling interludes and narrative shifts. Fittingly using Arachne's mythos as a framework, Caprara navigates issues surrounding gender norms, grief, and trauma, while accentuating how art and storytelling can serve as acts of healing and advocacy. Ages 12–up.
