The Wandering Queen - by Claire Heywood (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An epic and fiercely imaginative retelling of the story of queen Dido, the legendary founder of Carthage, from the author of the national bestseller Daughters of Sparta

When the King of Tyre dies, he decrees that the rule of the kingdom will pass equally to both his children: Elissa, his clever and strong-willed daughter, and Pygmalion, her young half-brother. But Elissa, not yet skilled in the machinations of court, quickly finds herself sidelined by a band of powerful merchants in favor of her more malleable brother.

Forced out of her palace home, Elissa resolves to forge her own path. Both triumph and heartbreak await in the life that she builds, transforming herself from a sheltered princess into a strong and formidable leader. When she leads her followers on an epic journey in search of a new home in a faraway land, she earns herself a name that will echo through millennia: Dido, the wanderer.

Then one day, a mysterious stranger, Aeneas, arrives at the city gates, fleeing the Trojan War. As Dido and Aeneas are increasingly drawn to each other, Dido is forced to make an impossible choice between power and love.

Review Quotes

"A gorgeously written reimagining of Greek mythology... Heywood elevates Dido from a stepping-stone on Aeneas's epic journey to a fully wrought character with her own desires, ambitions, and flaws. Equal parts empowering and heartbreaking, the novel highlights the sacrifices women make in order to control their own destinies while remaining true to themselves. Recommended for fans of the mythological retellings of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker." -Library Journal

"The Wandering Queen by Claire Heywood is an intelligent, sympathetic retelling of the story of Dido. Heywood incorporates the myths and legends that surround this mysterious queen and presents a narrative that is both powerful and compelling. Highly recommended."-Laura Shepperson, author of Phaedra and The Heir of Venus

"The Wandering Queen brilliantly flips the traditional story arc; in this novel, the legend becomes a human. With exquisite, expert prose, Claire Heywood deconstructs the notoriety of Dido, revealing the complicated, vulnerable, and resilient woman at her core. This is what retellings are all about!" -Lauren J.A. Bear, author of The Mother of Rome

"A triumphant reclamation of the legend of Dido...Heywood brings Dido's story to vivid life, moving from the wealth of Tyre to the dusty plains of Carthage. In so doing, Heywood weaves an engaging yarn that restores the ancient queen to her rightful place of dignity."
-Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros

"Heywood has once again crafted an excellent mythology reimagining. With an adept and expert hand, Dido is painted as a complex, strong heroine in a story she has long deserved. Through themes of love, loss and power, Heywood has brought the ancient world back to life in a tale that is equally as heartbreaking as it is wonderful." -Claire M. Andrews, author of Daughter of Sparta and Storm of Olympus

About the Author

Claire Heywood is a scholar of the ancient world, with a bachelor's degree in Classical Civilization and a master's degree in Ancient Visual and Material Culture from the University of Warwick.