I, Antigone by Carlo Gébler

Years following his exile, Oedipus's daughter Antigone takes on the role of biographer, determined to set the record straight about her father's life and death. Through her eyes, we get a new perspective on the tragic tale of Oedipus, a mythical Greek king who unknowingly faced a prophecy foretelling his dark destiny: to kill his father and marry his mother. Saved from death as a baby, Oedipus grows up unaware of his true identity until fate leads him back to Thebes. There, he unwittingly fulfills the prophecy, becoming king and facing a series of tragic events. Through Antigone's reflection, the story meditates on the illusion of free will, the power of fate, and the fall of her powerful family, offering a thoughtful contribution to the reclaimed classics.

Gébler did an excellent job of unfolding the backstory by degrees and tearing into the mystical layer of myth and legacy surrounding this particular tale in order to find its humanity. His ability to draw a through line and leave it open for empathy and connection allowed a new angle to this well-worn tale. However, one component that held it back for me was the slightly thinner extrapolation of his female characters, particularly the biological mother, Jocasta. Some of the elements to her characterization highlighted the difference of these retellings, largely being retold through the female lens, being written by a female author.

Audiobook, as narrated by Stephanie Racine: Racine did a wonderful job of adding depth to each character. Her performance was a lovely balance between contemporary and classical interpretations of this reimagined mythological narrative.