The Story of Antigone by Ali Smith (2011): A Review
Author: Ali Smith
Publication Year: 2011
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pages: 100
Source: audiobook @storytel.tr
Genre: retelling, Greek Mythology, Historical fiction, YA, Children
Who better than Ali Smith to give Greek mythology a cheeky twist, turning it on its head by letting a crow do the talking and a dog sit quietly, presumably thinking about snacks? In this wild retelling, we, the readers, are mere spectators in a feathery soap opera where a mama crow narrates the story of Antigone to the dog (not us). It’s such an unconventional choice that you might forget you are navigating a tragedy—until you find yourself laughing at the crow's perspective on humans. They seem so dramatic and tragic, yet the crow can't help but wonder how delicious they would be if only they weren’t so busy wallowing in their own misery!
After reading a few of Ali Smith’s books, I thought I had a grasp on her quirky style and themes. But just when I felt like I was in the groove, she flipped the script yet again! Reading Antigone’s woes through the lens of a crow is both absurdly entertaining and oddly refreshing. It’s like a dark comedy where the crows have the best punchlines!
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