This witty and brutally honest tale of Hercules told through the eyes of those he encountered showcases the complexities of human nature.
When you think of the story of Hercules, it would be easy to think simply of the Disney film (which given his exploits had to be toned down to make for suitable family viewing) but in her riveting and refreshing take on his story as seen through the eyes of those who knew him: family, wives, lovers among others Phoenicia Rogerson gives us a fully rounded character.
Through this modern re-telling (and the language is very modern which can become a distraction), the author reveals in a very honest way just how one person can have an impact on those around them both good and bad. It makes for fascinating reading.
Each section told from each character’s perspective is distinctive and bold. The styles reflect the personalities well and the book never hides away from the horrendous nature of some of Hercules deeds and personality traits but just balancing it nicely with flashes of his gentler side. Not even heroes (as he is normally seen in versions of the story) are perfect.
As there is so many sides to be told, putting Hercules’s story into some form of chronological order must have been tough, but each aspect of different and important moments of Hercules’s life is put elegantly together to ensure that the story is fluid throughout. However, it does have to be said that some may find it difficult to keep up with all the names involved and may find themselves flicking backwards and forwards to keep track.
To come up with a unique re-telling of any Greek mythology story is quite something, particularly when Greek mythology seems to be a hot topic in fiction at the moment. But the success of Rogerson’s book is that it gets us thinking about how in our modern world our actions affect those around us not only at the time but further into the future, changing the course of lives.
Here Hercules comes across as a lumbering, violent fool for the most part but there are also flashes of sorrow and regret that showcase a complex personality in him in the way in which he deals with his actions. It is a clever way of exposing the character in all forms – both good and bad.
Overall, this is a distinctive perspective which keeps the reader throughly engaged from start to finish. It blends humour with darkness perfectly and is a solid addition to the Greek Mythology genre.
By Emma Clarendon
Herc is available to buy now. https://amzn.to/4fcA9ja
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐