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Sumerians #1
Inanna
The fates of a young goddess, a warrior, and a mortal soldier collide in this enthralling and lyrical fantasy re-telling of The Epic of Gilgamesh that will captivate readers of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint.
Stories are sly things…they can be hard to catch and kill.
Inanna is an impossibility, the first full Anunnaki born on Earth. Crowned the goddess of love by the twelve immortal Anunnaki who are worshipped across Sumer, she is destined for greatness.
But Inanna is born into a time of war. The Anunnaki have split into warring factions, threatening to tear the world apart. Forced into a marriage to negotiate a peace, she soon realises she has been placed in terrible danger.
Gilgamesh, a mortal human son of the Anunnaki, and notorious womaniser, finds himself captured and imprisoned by King Akka who seeks to distance himself and his people from the gods. Arrogant and selfish, Gilgamesh is given one final chance to prove himself.
Ninshubar, a powerful warrior woman, is cast out of her tribe after an act of kindness. Hunted by her own people, she escapes across the country, searching for acceptance and a new place in the world.
As their journeys push them closer together, and their fates intertwine, they come to realise that together, they may have the power to change to face of the world forever.
Stories are sly things…they can be hard to catch and kill.
Inanna is an impossibility, the first full Anunnaki born on Earth. Crowned the goddess of love by the twelve immortal Anunnaki who are worshipped across Sumer, she is destined for greatness.
But Inanna is born into a time of war. The Anunnaki have split into warring factions, threatening to tear the world apart. Forced into a marriage to negotiate a peace, she soon realises she has been placed in terrible danger.
Gilgamesh, a mortal human son of the Anunnaki, and notorious womaniser, finds himself captured and imprisoned by King Akka who seeks to distance himself and his people from the gods. Arrogant and selfish, Gilgamesh is given one final chance to prove himself.
Ninshubar, a powerful warrior woman, is cast out of her tribe after an act of kindness. Hunted by her own people, she escapes across the country, searching for acceptance and a new place in the world.
As their journeys push them closer together, and their fates intertwine, they come to realise that together, they may have the power to change to face of the world forever.
474 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
297 people are currently reading
10578 people want to read
About the author
Emily H. Wilson
3 books172 followersEmily H. Wilson is the author of the Sumerians trilogy, three historical novels set in Ancient Mesopotamia. She was formerly the editor in chief of New Scientist, and is currently working on her first work of science fiction.
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June 19, 2025A riff on the Sumerian myths of Gilgamesh and Inanna. I know a smidge about Inanna, nothing about Gilgamesh, though the author's note suggests it's not particularly accurate to the epic.
I enjoyed this a lot. The writing is rather affectless in a saga-ish way, which worked for me as part of the weird atmosphere created by this very alien (literally in some ways) and different culture. It's deeply warped in lots of ways with horrible sexual mores (not a criticism, it's part of the setup, but heads up for readers that there is rape, incest, underage sex and obligatory public sex, all treated as pretty normal in this society). It's in no way erotica.
The whole thing is kind of nuts, honestly, but has a propulsive fairytale quality and a lot of hidden deep feeling under the affectless writing, and I found it highly readable. I look forward to more.
I enjoyed this a lot. The writing is rather affectless in a saga-ish way, which worked for me as part of the weird atmosphere created by this very alien (literally in some ways) and different culture. It's deeply warped in lots of ways with horrible sexual mores (not a criticism, it's part of the setup, but heads up for readers that there is rape, incest, underage sex and obligatory public sex, all treated as pretty normal in this society). It's in no way erotica.
The whole thing is kind of nuts, honestly, but has a propulsive fairytale quality and a lot of hidden deep feeling under the affectless writing, and I found it highly readable. I look forward to more.
July 5, 2023
God-tier level mythology retelling. A must-read for Greek mythology and folklore lovers.
This book is a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is often said to be the oldest piece of literature in existence. However, this is not just Gilgamesh's story, this is also a retelling of two other myths which include the goddess Inanna (who is said to have morphed into/inspired Aphrodite then Venus).
While this book is based on text and characters that are thousands of years old, Emily H. Wilson has written a story that reads as fresh and relevant as if it were written today. The pacing surprised me in how fast we moved, which was a great way to reveal each character's motivations and moral compass.
We follow three major characters, although the book introduces us to many more along the way. We're introduced to the titular Inanna in the moment she is born, the first new god since time out of mind. Although Inanna is young and sheltered, we follow her through the book as she grows into her power (both literal and figurative).
Next we're introduced in the hero Gilgamesh in the most unheroly way, which I LOVED. He's just lost a fight, he's on the ground being poked between his chest armour by a soldier holding a spear, he escapes by rolling into the raging Tigris, only to start drowning because his armour is so heavy. This character is so fun and interesting and Emily H. Wilson skillfully circumvents our collective idea of 'hero', only to piece by piece, build Gilgamesh back up in a way that is vulnerable and heartbreaking, but ultimately better than we started.
Lastly we're introduced to Ninshubar, a young woman who is a proven warrior and hunter among her people. I don't want to give too much away because he story is full of so many unexpected adventures, but she's the ride-or-die best friend we all wish we had.
All three of these characters' adventure start separately then weave together seamlessly as they cross paths and support each other along their individual journeys.
The story doesn't end on a cliff hanger, but there are some unanswered questions. The ARC I received from NetGalley and Titan Books included Chapter 1 from the next book in this series, and let me tell you my jaw dropped! I can't wait for book number two.
This book is best read under a tree, by the beach with your pet tigers on either side of you, while you eat figs, honey cakes and cheese. Remember to keep your sword or slingshot close by, because these parts are dangerous, even for a goddess like you.
This book is a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is often said to be the oldest piece of literature in existence. However, this is not just Gilgamesh's story, this is also a retelling of two other myths which include the goddess Inanna (who is said to have morphed into/inspired Aphrodite then Venus).
While this book is based on text and characters that are thousands of years old, Emily H. Wilson has written a story that reads as fresh and relevant as if it were written today. The pacing surprised me in how fast we moved, which was a great way to reveal each character's motivations and moral compass.
We follow three major characters, although the book introduces us to many more along the way. We're introduced to the titular Inanna in the moment she is born, the first new god since time out of mind. Although Inanna is young and sheltered, we follow her through the book as she grows into her power (both literal and figurative).
Next we're introduced in the hero Gilgamesh in the most unheroly way, which I LOVED. He's just lost a fight, he's on the ground being poked between his chest armour by a soldier holding a spear, he escapes by rolling into the raging Tigris, only to start drowning because his armour is so heavy. This character is so fun and interesting and Emily H. Wilson skillfully circumvents our collective idea of 'hero', only to piece by piece, build Gilgamesh back up in a way that is vulnerable and heartbreaking, but ultimately better than we started.
Lastly we're introduced to Ninshubar, a young woman who is a proven warrior and hunter among her people. I don't want to give too much away because he story is full of so many unexpected adventures, but she's the ride-or-die best friend we all wish we had.
All three of these characters' adventure start separately then weave together seamlessly as they cross paths and support each other along their individual journeys.
The story doesn't end on a cliff hanger, but there are some unanswered questions. The ARC I received from NetGalley and Titan Books included Chapter 1 from the next book in this series, and let me tell you my jaw dropped! I can't wait for book number two.
This book is best read under a tree, by the beach with your pet tigers on either side of you, while you eat figs, honey cakes and cheese. Remember to keep your sword or slingshot close by, because these parts are dangerous, even for a goddess like you.
May 10, 2023
I may be a biased one but I lovveeee mythology and there is not enough about Sumerians so of course I ATE THIS UP WHOLE almost in one sitting the writing flowed smoothly and the story was constantly moving. This is an exceptional writer and a really gifted story teller this world felt so real and so the characters so dimensional and honest and I can’t wait to read the sequel. I’m so invested in this story and the history and learning what happens to everyone. Seriously amazing I can’t stress this enough. If you love mythology and learning and just some damn good story telling this one is for you.
Trigger warnings for this book
-consensual and non consensual sex
-murder
-incest
-pedophillia
-torture
-grief
Trigger warnings for this book
-consensual and non consensual sex
-murder
-incest
-pedophillia
-torture
-grief
June 26, 2025
Un roman qui nous plonge dans la mythologie sumérienne. Je ne connais pas du tout l’épopée de Gilgamesh juste de nom. C’est donc avec plaisir que j’ai découvert l’histoire d’Inanna ou Ishtar. Le récit est bien écrit et accessible à toutes personnes qui ne connaissent pas le mythe de Gilgamesh. Même si au début j’étais un peu perdue entre les différents noms de Dieux. J’attends avec impatience la sortie des tomes 2 et 3.
March 22, 2024
Oh this ate so sublimely
Inanna basically takes Sumerian mythology and spins it out into its own epic fantasy. It's billed on the back as a retelling of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, which, don't get me wrong, it totally is. The book follows Gilgamesh through all the trials and tribulations that befall him in the original myth, but it's also about Innana, Sumerian goddess of love and war, and Ninshubar, Innana’s holy sukkal (aka divine attendant) from the far south.
(Also, quick rant about Ninshubar: in the book, she's heavily implied to be from East Africa, which I really loved. A lot of stories about Middle Eastern history/myth casually exclude the presence of East Africans in the region, which? Is really odd? I don't know, but not only did Wilson take this into account, she really took the time to develop and study Ninshubar. Although, I still have my gripes with parts of her character, since her whole point is to be Inanna's divine servant, and I always feel weird about servitude to a non-Black character being a major part of a Black character's identity, even if they are eternal, mythic servants. Again, Wilson really takes the time to develop Ninshubar and flesh her out into her own character, and given Ninshubar's role in the original myths, it does make sense, but something about that trope on Black characters still never sat right with me. But anyways, I digress.)
Wilson's Inanna isn't just the Epic of Gilgamesh: it's also The Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi and The Descent of Inanna and a bunch of other ancient Sumerian myths all rolled into one fantastical novel of epic proportions.
You would think that all this would serve to make a rather bloated story, but it doesn't, because Wilson's Inanna is kind of its own thing. It doesn't necessarily claim to be a million retellings all at once; it tells its own story using the previous myths, weaving them in and out of each other while adding its own elements to really separate it as its own piece of work. Wilson adds to the world of mythic Mesopotamia by making the source that gives the gods their immortality a mystical black substance known as melam, driving most of the novel's conflicts while still playing into original themes in the myth such as the horrors of dealing with mortality, all consuming grief, the power and dangers of passion, and a million other things that just make this work so amazingly as a retelling and as its own work.
Frankly, Wilson made the world of mythic Mesopotamia into her own world, and it works. Like, really well. I'm usually annoyed when authors bill their books as a "retelling of ancient myth" and then just write a completely new story, but Wilson somehow manages to go the extra mile by creating a completely new set of rules and origins for the Mesopotamian gods while still remaining relatively faithful to the original story. It is, pardon my French, fucking insane. It's a great tribute to people who love Mesopotamian myth, and also so much fun. Like, there's a difference between knowing what happens in a myth and really understanding the essence of it, since when you understand the essence of something, you can tell it a million different ways while still maintaining the original values and stakes, and Wilson does just that. Sorry for rambling so much, but I am just still geeking out at this.
Furthermore, the characters in this book are so rich and fascinating, and even while telling its own story, the book still manages to be accurate to the source materials in all the ways that matter. Even while changing minor aspects, the essence of the story is still there and everything that made it wonderful in the first place, and as someone who loves Epic of Gilgamesh, I felt that even though so many aspects were changed from the original, nothing important was really lost.
And once again, I loved the characters. Wilson just added so much depth to the original characters and created such fascinating dynamics between characters like Inanna and Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh and Ninshubar, and I also loved Ninshubar so much. I mean she was just so pure and human and ashufds I loved her so much. I mean-
And not even just Ninshubar, but all of the characters were so rich and fascinating and played superbly into their counterparts from the original myths. God, this is literally A+-tier myth retelling. I need the next book ASAP, and I might even reread this right before it comes out just to make sure I don't forgot anything.
Inanna basically takes Sumerian mythology and spins it out into its own epic fantasy. It's billed on the back as a retelling of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, which, don't get me wrong, it totally is. The book follows Gilgamesh through all the trials and tribulations that befall him in the original myth, but it's also about Innana, Sumerian goddess of love and war, and Ninshubar, Innana’s holy sukkal (aka divine attendant) from the far south.
(Also, quick rant about Ninshubar: in the book, she's heavily implied to be from East Africa, which I really loved. A lot of stories about Middle Eastern history/myth casually exclude the presence of East Africans in the region, which? Is really odd? I don't know, but not only did Wilson take this into account, she really took the time to develop and study Ninshubar. Although, I still have my gripes with parts of her character, since her whole point is to be Inanna's divine servant, and I always feel weird about servitude to a non-Black character being a major part of a Black character's identity, even if they are eternal, mythic servants. Again, Wilson really takes the time to develop Ninshubar and flesh her out into her own character, and given Ninshubar's role in the original myths, it does make sense, but something about that trope on Black characters still never sat right with me. But anyways, I digress.)
Wilson's Inanna isn't just the Epic of Gilgamesh: it's also The Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi and The Descent of Inanna and a bunch of other ancient Sumerian myths all rolled into one fantastical novel of epic proportions.
You would think that all this would serve to make a rather bloated story, but it doesn't, because Wilson's Inanna is kind of its own thing. It doesn't necessarily claim to be a million retellings all at once; it tells its own story using the previous myths, weaving them in and out of each other while adding its own elements to really separate it as its own piece of work. Wilson adds to the world of mythic Mesopotamia by making the source that gives the gods their immortality a mystical black substance known as melam, driving most of the novel's conflicts while still playing into original themes in the myth such as the horrors of dealing with mortality, all consuming grief, the power and dangers of passion, and a million other things that just make this work so amazingly as a retelling and as its own work.
Frankly, Wilson made the world of mythic Mesopotamia into her own world, and it works. Like, really well. I'm usually annoyed when authors bill their books as a "retelling of ancient myth" and then just write a completely new story, but Wilson somehow manages to go the extra mile by creating a completely new set of rules and origins for the Mesopotamian gods while still remaining relatively faithful to the original story. It is, pardon my French, fucking insane. It's a great tribute to people who love Mesopotamian myth, and also so much fun. Like, there's a difference between knowing what happens in a myth and really understanding the essence of it, since when you understand the essence of something, you can tell it a million different ways while still maintaining the original values and stakes, and Wilson does just that. Sorry for rambling so much, but I am just still geeking out at this.
Furthermore, the characters in this book are so rich and fascinating, and even while telling its own story, the book still manages to be accurate to the source materials in all the ways that matter. Even while changing minor aspects, the essence of the story is still there and everything that made it wonderful in the first place, and as someone who loves Epic of Gilgamesh, I felt that even though so many aspects were changed from the original, nothing important was really lost.
And once again, I loved the characters. Wilson just added so much depth to the original characters and created such fascinating dynamics between characters like Inanna and Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh and Ninshubar, and I also loved Ninshubar so much. I mean she was just so pure and human and ashufds I loved her so much. I mean-
And not even just Ninshubar, but all of the characters were so rich and fascinating and played superbly into their counterparts from the original myths. God, this is literally A+-tier myth retelling. I need the next book ASAP, and I might even reread this right before it comes out just to make sure I don't forgot anything.
Want to read
March 3, 2023I'm cautious because Circe wasn't my favorite read, but I don't see Sumerian mythology that much in fantasy, so let's give it a shot.
July 29, 2023
I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher.
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
✅ well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
✅ gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
✅ nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
✅ page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
My favourite mythology-inspired story in a while!
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
✅ well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
✅ gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
✅ nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
✅ page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
My favourite mythology-inspired story in a while!
June 11, 2024
Si je dois recommander UN livre, ce sera celui-ci.
Tu aimes l’aventure, il y en a. Tu aimes la mythologie. Tu aimes les femmes de pouvoir, il y en a. Tu aimes les personnages au développement incroyable, il y en a. Tu aimes les amours compliqués, il y en a.
Le cadre n’est pas familier, tu crains peut-être de t’ennuyer, d’être noyé.e d’infos ou juste de ne pas t’identifier. C’est ce dont j’avais peur. Je pensais apprendre plein de choses mais c’est tout. Au final, ce qui m’a vraiment marquée c’est pas toutes les infos passionnantes que j’ai pu apprendre, c’est les personnages, l’histoire. Le bouquin, en tant que roman, est vraiment incroyable !
J’ai même pas de points négatifs, la plume n’est pas lourde, les chapitres sont courts, y a pas de moment où il se passe “rien”. C’est vraiment un super livre sur tous les aspects, j’en suis la première étonnée.
Qu’il t’intéresse pour l’aspect mythologique ou par l’histoire en elle même, tu seras comblé.e.
Je me lasserai jamais de le relire, je pense, pourtant je ne le fais jamais. Je suis encore bouleversée.
Tu aimes l’aventure, il y en a. Tu aimes la mythologie. Tu aimes les femmes de pouvoir, il y en a. Tu aimes les personnages au développement incroyable, il y en a. Tu aimes les amours compliqués, il y en a.
Le cadre n’est pas familier, tu crains peut-être de t’ennuyer, d’être noyé.e d’infos ou juste de ne pas t’identifier. C’est ce dont j’avais peur. Je pensais apprendre plein de choses mais c’est tout. Au final, ce qui m’a vraiment marquée c’est pas toutes les infos passionnantes que j’ai pu apprendre, c’est les personnages, l’histoire. Le bouquin, en tant que roman, est vraiment incroyable !
J’ai même pas de points négatifs, la plume n’est pas lourde, les chapitres sont courts, y a pas de moment où il se passe “rien”. C’est vraiment un super livre sur tous les aspects, j’en suis la première étonnée.
Qu’il t’intéresse pour l’aspect mythologique ou par l’histoire en elle même, tu seras comblé.e.
Je me lasserai jamais de le relire, je pense, pourtant je ne le fais jamais. Je suis encore bouleversée.
April 3, 2023
Whilst I haven't rated this overly positive, I would definitely consider reading the rest of the series when the books come out as I can see this building up to something great. I think maybe one of the things I struggled with in this book was the world-building and the nature of these gods, although I think part of the problem is that Inanna herself is very naive to the world around her and doesn't know a lot of these things (example: the Underworld). I don't know if all three perspectives were necessary here, or if there were going to be three I think I would have preferred one to be Inanna's mother and to hear more about what happened leading up to Inanna's birth. I liked Gilagamesh's storyline and his relationship. It was really interesting to read a story around Sumerian mythology which I personally haven't seen done before, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of this series because I think (and hope) the later books will be much more engaging and have a lot more tension.
August 1, 2023
I was extremely excited when I was offered an advance copy of Inanna by Emily H. Wilson. The book blurb sounded really intriguing. As someone who has only skimmed through Sumerian mythology but never really delved into it I thought it was a great opportunity. However, I am sad to admit this book this book fell short of meeting my expectations. While I am always hesitant to critique the laborious efforts of a writer, I feel compelled to proceed with this review in order to fulfill my obligation of providing an honest opinion.
The quality of the writing in this book falls somewhere between mediocre and satisfactory. There were instances where the prose felt mechanical, lacking the natural flow that engages readers. Additionally, the dialogue seemed forced and out of sync with the overall narrative, disrupting the immersion of the story. Furthermore, the world-building aspect of the book was disappointingly lacking, leaving readers with a sense of incompleteness and a dearth of vividly crafted settings.
One significant flaw in this book lies in the lack of depth present in its characters, making it challenging for readers to form any meaningful attachment to them. The descriptions provided were detached and failed to convey a clear understanding of the characters’ true nature. Among the three perspectives presented, Inanna, the central figure after whom the book is named, appeared to be the weakest. While Gilgamesh and Ninshubar possessed compelling origin stories and personal conflicts that drove their narratives, Inanna’s character felt somewhat adrift, lacking a distinct identity or purpose within the story.
Another aspect of the book that proved challenging to accept was the extensive and explicit depiction of the recurring sex rituals, which occupied a substantial portion of the narrative. While I could have been more accepting of these scenes if they served a clear purpose within the story, unfortunately, that did not seem to be the case here. Additionally, the author failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the biological relationship between Inanna’s mother and An. Although Inanna referred to Enki, the son of An, as her grandfather, (who author hints at sleeping together at one point) her parents also referred to An as their grandfather, creating confusion and detachment within the familial relationships depicted in the book. To say the least, the relationships portrayed in this book were peculiar and lacked a sense of cohesion.
My initial intention in approaching this book was to delve deep into the world of Sumerian mythology and immerse myself in its rich lore. However, instead of gaining a profound understanding of the subject matter, I was left with a predominant impression of excessive sexual encounters and promiscuity among the characters. This portrayal of the Sumerian culture as a collection of individuals driven solely by their carnal desires left me feeling immensely disappointed, as it overshadowed the opportunity to explore the mythology in a more comprehensive and meaningful manner.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley, Titan Books, and Emily H. Wilson for granting me the privilege of receiving this advance copy of Inanna.
The quality of the writing in this book falls somewhere between mediocre and satisfactory. There were instances where the prose felt mechanical, lacking the natural flow that engages readers. Additionally, the dialogue seemed forced and out of sync with the overall narrative, disrupting the immersion of the story. Furthermore, the world-building aspect of the book was disappointingly lacking, leaving readers with a sense of incompleteness and a dearth of vividly crafted settings.
One significant flaw in this book lies in the lack of depth present in its characters, making it challenging for readers to form any meaningful attachment to them. The descriptions provided were detached and failed to convey a clear understanding of the characters’ true nature. Among the three perspectives presented, Inanna, the central figure after whom the book is named, appeared to be the weakest. While Gilgamesh and Ninshubar possessed compelling origin stories and personal conflicts that drove their narratives, Inanna’s character felt somewhat adrift, lacking a distinct identity or purpose within the story.
Another aspect of the book that proved challenging to accept was the extensive and explicit depiction of the recurring sex rituals, which occupied a substantial portion of the narrative. While I could have been more accepting of these scenes if they served a clear purpose within the story, unfortunately, that did not seem to be the case here. Additionally, the author failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the biological relationship between Inanna’s mother and An. Although Inanna referred to Enki, the son of An, as her grandfather, (who author hints at sleeping together at one point) her parents also referred to An as their grandfather, creating confusion and detachment within the familial relationships depicted in the book. To say the least, the relationships portrayed in this book were peculiar and lacked a sense of cohesion.
My initial intention in approaching this book was to delve deep into the world of Sumerian mythology and immerse myself in its rich lore. However, instead of gaining a profound understanding of the subject matter, I was left with a predominant impression of excessive sexual encounters and promiscuity among the characters. This portrayal of the Sumerian culture as a collection of individuals driven solely by their carnal desires left me feeling immensely disappointed, as it overshadowed the opportunity to explore the mythology in a more comprehensive and meaningful manner.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley, Titan Books, and Emily H. Wilson for granting me the privilege of receiving this advance copy of Inanna.
August 1, 2023
Oh! So it's about ancient aliens? My husband excitingly asked. Well, quite not. The author evidently did their research before diving into the retelling. It can be easily determined not only from the text of the book itself but also from the afterword. The story of Gilgamesh is the oldest written text known to us. Inanna, on the other hand, also known as Ishtar or Aphrodite, would be the longest worship deity in history. In this book, we have the interpretation of events that ancient Sumerians consider as true. I loved how closely the language represented the mythology writing. Simple sentences, different styles of talking, and conversations always add something to the world-building. I appreciated the three points of view of characters that intertwined their paths due to decisions in the face of events out of their control. Inanna's arc shows how she grew to be wiser in her pain. Gilgamesh had his own coming-of-age story... Ninshubar challenges women's stereotypes and inspires them with her strength. Many times, I caught myself thinking I was reading real mythology instead of a fictional story. I had to make a conscious effort to bring myself back and keep my distance for objectivity’s sake. It was hard. It is not a romance, tho there is a romantic element. I could, similarly to the author, make an argument about what this book is not. One thing I know for sure is that it was a refreshing read, and it will stay with me for a long time. Strongly recommended!
August 4, 2023
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Inanna is a gorgeously written retelling of Sumerian mythology and the Epic of Gilgamesh, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, that I couldn't put down.
The book follows three different POVs: Inanna, the goddess of love and war from when she is a child to her descent to the Underworld. Her cousin, the young hero Gilgamesh, and his adventures. Finally, there's Ninshubar, a young woman that is cast out from her tribe and sold into slavery in Sumer. The fates of these three characters eventually intertwine as they try to fight the corrupt ruling family of gods, the Annunaki.
All of the characters were well-fleshed-out and full of heart. Their character development was masterfully done, especially that of Gilgamesh who starts out as a arrogant, foolish philanderer and ends the book as maybe not a hero but at least a better man. Inanna had an incredible arc as well, going from a naive young girl smothered by the powerful men around her to becoming a true Goddess of War in her own right. When she is sent to be married off to her cousin and held hostage by her grandfather, her mother extracts a promise from Inanna to submit to whatever may be done to her. The atrocities Inanna suffers in this book were horrifying but thankfully not graphic. Still, the ramifications of it were sickening enough to make me loath the villain of the book from the bottom of my heart. Seeing Inanna get revenge on all the men who wronged her was such a great moment of poetic justice, I can't wait to see her wreck her grandfather in the next book. Enki was one of the most despicable villains I have ever read about and I can't wait to see him die.
The beginning of the book was a bit slow with setting up the world and the characters, yet I was never bored. While I enjoyed the beginning of the book, the parts toward the end of the book where all the characters meet was my favorite. The relationships in this book were quite tangled, with Gilgamesh being in love with his companion Enkidu but starting an affair with Inanna, who in turn is in love with Gilgamesh. Both Gilgamesh and Inanna are also technically married to different people. Talk about messy.
The developing friendship between Ninshubar and Inanna was also something I loved, Ninshubar's no-nonsense-attitude and practicality brought a lot of humor to Inanna's part of the story. Another favorite aspect of mine was the animosity between Gilgamesh and his footman Hagar. Their banter had me laughing out loud multiple times. Because of the comp with Circe, I didn't expect this book to be so funny, so I was pleasantly surprised. The friendship and later romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was perhaps the most beautiful one to me, even though I didn't like that Gilgamesh led Inanna on. It felt to me like he only welcomed Inanna's advances because he couldn't have Enkidu which was definitely shitty. Yet, I still squealed when him and Enkidu got together. Gilgamesh really is the dumb bisexual representation we deserve. A theme that really tugged at my heartstrings was how all of the characters had this moment of recognition when meeting one another, this feeling of being destined to meet each other. Twin souls, kindred spirits, both romantic and platonic. I loved it.
The worldbuilding was very intricate, detailing a lot of customs of ancient Sumer and their mythology. At first, I had trouble figuring out who is related to who in the Sumerian pantheon, but around the middle of the book I had it figured out. Similarly to the Greek pantheon, there is a lot of intermarrying and incest, but it's definitely portrayed as reprehensive. Luckily, the book also has a dramatis personae for those not familiar with the god family, the Annunaki. I found the information about the Sumerian civilization (the oldest civilisation in the world, long before the Greeks and Romans!) extremely fascinating, and was surprised how modern some of their attitudes were.
The exploration of themes of power vs submission, who gets to control the narratives, and immortality, as well as its cost, were written with great care. While some horrible things happen to the female characters, the book is undeniably a feminist book, shown in how Inanna survives to get revenge on her tormentors.
All in all, a stunning read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel! Thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rep: Black POV character, Middle Eastern POV characters, bisexual POV character, gay side character
Trigger warnings: Violence, death, torture, rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, pedophilia, grooming, sex
“In Athens, they call me Aphrodite now. In Babylon, they call me Ishtar. But in the first days I had only one name: Inanna.”
Inanna is a gorgeously written retelling of Sumerian mythology and the Epic of Gilgamesh, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, that I couldn't put down.
The book follows three different POVs: Inanna, the goddess of love and war from when she is a child to her descent to the Underworld. Her cousin, the young hero Gilgamesh, and his adventures. Finally, there's Ninshubar, a young woman that is cast out from her tribe and sold into slavery in Sumer. The fates of these three characters eventually intertwine as they try to fight the corrupt ruling family of gods, the Annunaki.
“But I am not a girl, brother. I am a priestess of Heaven.” Utu raised one finely arched eyebrow. “Do you think that will make a difference, Inanna?”
All of the characters were well-fleshed-out and full of heart. Their character development was masterfully done, especially that of Gilgamesh who starts out as a arrogant, foolish philanderer and ends the book as maybe not a hero but at least a better man. Inanna had an incredible arc as well, going from a naive young girl smothered by the powerful men around her to becoming a true Goddess of War in her own right. When she is sent to be married off to her cousin and held hostage by her grandfather, her mother extracts a promise from Inanna to submit to whatever may be done to her. The atrocities Inanna suffers in this book were horrifying but thankfully not graphic. Still, the ramifications of it were sickening enough to make me loath the villain of the book from the bottom of my heart. Seeing Inanna get revenge on all the men who wronged her was such a great moment of poetic justice, I can't wait to see her wreck her grandfather in the next book. Enki was one of the most despicable villains I have ever read about and I can't wait to see him die.
The beginning of the book was a bit slow with setting up the world and the characters, yet I was never bored. While I enjoyed the beginning of the book, the parts toward the end of the book where all the characters meet was my favorite. The relationships in this book were quite tangled, with Gilgamesh being in love with his companion Enkidu but starting an affair with Inanna, who in turn is in love with Gilgamesh. Both Gilgamesh and Inanna are also technically married to different people. Talk about messy.
The developing friendship between Ninshubar and Inanna was also something I loved, Ninshubar's no-nonsense-attitude and practicality brought a lot of humor to Inanna's part of the story. Another favorite aspect of mine was the animosity between Gilgamesh and his footman Hagar. Their banter had me laughing out loud multiple times. Because of the comp with Circe, I didn't expect this book to be so funny, so I was pleasantly surprised. The friendship and later romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was perhaps the most beautiful one to me, even though I didn't like that Gilgamesh led Inanna on. It felt to me like he only welcomed Inanna's advances because he couldn't have Enkidu which was definitely shitty. Yet, I still squealed when him and Enkidu got together. Gilgamesh really is the dumb bisexual representation we deserve. A theme that really tugged at my heartstrings was how all of the characters had this moment of recognition when meeting one another, this feeling of being destined to meet each other. Twin souls, kindred spirits, both romantic and platonic. I loved it.
“Stories are sly things,” An said. “They can be hard to catch and kill.”
The worldbuilding was very intricate, detailing a lot of customs of ancient Sumer and their mythology. At first, I had trouble figuring out who is related to who in the Sumerian pantheon, but around the middle of the book I had it figured out. Similarly to the Greek pantheon, there is a lot of intermarrying and incest, but it's definitely portrayed as reprehensive. Luckily, the book also has a dramatis personae for those not familiar with the god family, the Annunaki. I found the information about the Sumerian civilization (the oldest civilisation in the world, long before the Greeks and Romans!) extremely fascinating, and was surprised how modern some of their attitudes were.
The exploration of themes of power vs submission, who gets to control the narratives, and immortality, as well as its cost, were written with great care. While some horrible things happen to the female characters, the book is undeniably a feminist book, shown in how Inanna survives to get revenge on her tormentors.
All in all, a stunning read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel! Thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rep: Black POV character, Middle Eastern POV characters, bisexual POV character, gay side character
Trigger warnings: Violence, death, torture, rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, pedophilia, grooming, sex
Want to read
November 17, 2024Epic of Gigamesh retelling
Read
May 28, 2025DNF 35/40%
I was listening to the audiobook. Inanna was the only character I liked. Also had a hard time keeping the characters straight. Each chapter switches to different characters and POV.
I was listening to the audiobook. Inanna was the only character I liked. Also had a hard time keeping the characters straight. Each chapter switches to different characters and POV.
February 24, 2024
This is the mythology retelling I have been searching for!
I haven't read a mythological retelling in a hot minute, and while I am mostly unfamiliar with The Epic of Gilgamesh and Tales of Inanna, Emily H. Wilson is such a profound storyteller that I didn't need that background. I enjoyed this adventure story so much; it was genuinely so readable that I didn't want to put it down.
This book was a five-star prediction for me and even though I'm rating it four stars it still holds up so much for me that I am not disappointed in the slightest. I cannot wait for more in this trilogy!
I haven't read a mythological retelling in a hot minute, and while I am mostly unfamiliar with The Epic of Gilgamesh and Tales of Inanna, Emily H. Wilson is such a profound storyteller that I didn't need that background. I enjoyed this adventure story so much; it was genuinely so readable that I didn't want to put it down.
This book was a five-star prediction for me and even though I'm rating it four stars it still holds up so much for me that I am not disappointed in the slightest. I cannot wait for more in this trilogy!
May 25, 2023
Inanna is a stunning novel woven from fragments of the Epic of Gilgamesh and other Sumerian writings. Three narratives intertwine to chronicle the rise of the ancient goddess of love and war who later inspired Ishtar and Aphrodite. Though I loved Inanna and Gilgamesh, I was completely mesmerized by the character of Ninshubar, an exiled warrior woman caught in the middle. In a sea of Greek myth retellings, Inanna is a captivating breath of fresh air.
August 1, 2023
A vivid retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Goddess Inanna. Being myth inspired brings a certain magic to the book, underneath this there are a lot of historical elements included.
The multiple points of view make for an interesting read as the stories intertwine.
Overall an elegant and powerful book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
The multiple points of view make for an interesting read as the stories intertwine.
Overall an elegant and powerful book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
April 1, 2023
I didn’t know what to expect from this and I’ll admit that I thought it looked like hard work, but I loved this. I got completely swept up in it and the beautiful writing, and I’ll be impatiently and furiously awaiting the second book.
April 19, 2025
The descent of Inanna that we needed..
Many of us know and have read the Epic of Gilgamesh, and met Inanna from a different angle. Depicted in a way where she (at least to me) appeared somewhat unreasonable.
In this retelling we meet Inanna as the child, that became the most holy by trial and tribulation - after being so by name. Her descent is in many ways forced upon her, however, she becomes the goddess she was destined to be.
Gilgamesh is true to what we believed him to be in his original epic - but with a new lens and more nuanced. Many of the characters were forced to submit and decided that it was time to stand.
Emily H. Wilson created a magical and often relatable narrative that not only sheds light on what could have been, but does so in a way that makes it fit todays times.
This was an amazing adventure that allowed me to ponder other historical figures and consider how their narratives may be looked upon in a new light - questioning the light some of them were placed in and why.
This is a truly epic fantasy everyone should consider embarking on. I am looking forward to starting book 2 Gilgamesh soon.
Many of us know and have read the Epic of Gilgamesh, and met Inanna from a different angle. Depicted in a way where she (at least to me) appeared somewhat unreasonable.
In this retelling we meet Inanna as the child, that became the most holy by trial and tribulation - after being so by name. Her descent is in many ways forced upon her, however, she becomes the goddess she was destined to be.
Gilgamesh is true to what we believed him to be in his original epic - but with a new lens and more nuanced. Many of the characters were forced to submit and decided that it was time to stand.
Emily H. Wilson created a magical and often relatable narrative that not only sheds light on what could have been, but does so in a way that makes it fit todays times.
This was an amazing adventure that allowed me to ponder other historical figures and consider how their narratives may be looked upon in a new light - questioning the light some of them were placed in and why.
This is a truly epic fantasy everyone should consider embarking on. I am looking forward to starting book 2 Gilgamesh soon.
August 28, 2023
I don’t even know where to start, it was such a gooooood read. First of all loved to dive into Sumerian mythology which is without a doubt less explored than Greek, Roman etc.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives and how the different main characters evolved and how their storylines became intertwined. It also features incredibly strong female leads. Cannot wait for the next book in this trilogy.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives and how the different main characters evolved and how their storylines became intertwined. It also features incredibly strong female leads. Cannot wait for the next book in this trilogy.
August 29, 2024
That was amazing. I knew nothing about the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh before starting this book. The author wove together a creative re-telling of this “oldest piece of literature in existence” but it remained fresh and fantastical. I loved it. Ordered number two in the series.
August 8, 2023
This one was a blast: fun, awe-inspiring, and now and then horrifying, and really well-written for the genre. I can't wait for Book 2!
March 16, 2024
I’m a sucker for a mythology retelling and this is such a beautifully crafted story, based on the Epic of Gilgamesh. Can’t wait for the next one!
Want to read
July 10, 2023ENGLISH
I love mythology retellings. There is something about this stories being told from another perspective that makes me want to read more and more. Specially when there are LGBTQ+ characters, which to be honest was not that weird in a lot of ancient cultures.
Now, this one felt a lot like Circe. Not in the sense that there is a goddess who is abused by her own family and has to somewhat fight by herself and find her own strength, plus falling in love with a hero. Yes, it is very similar to that account. Honestly, most myths are quite similar between cultures, we are all human, and we are worried about almost the same problems. But what it felt like Circe to me was more the pace, the rhythm and even the style of the author. I do not know if this happens in other mythology retellings, but even if it took me a lot to read it, I really did enjoy it. Still, Circe is my favourite.
There were so many aspects of this myth that I don't know. For starters, I only recognize the name of the hero: Gilgamesh. And that is thanks to having talked about it in a class in high school. In other words, I knew nothing. So I was a bit lost, specially at the beginning, but it is very friendly towards people like me who know nothing but want to.
The main characters were very complex. There is a fight between duty and emotion in all of them, even if their context is different. Almost as if they were a reflection of human worries: love, power, family, strength, fame… This is the best part of the book, on my opinion.
However, I could not rate it a 5 since it felt really slow and even when it was around 300 pages it felt like it was almost double. The writing was great, there is action and there is always something happening. Still, it was too slow for me. And the ending resolved itself too fast in comparison. I do not know exactly why I felt that way because I really did enjoy the writing.
Like I said, I loved this book. I want to read the next book(s?) and something more from the author. I have a feeling that Emily H. Wilson is going to be a big name in the not so distant future. Not only that, but I hope there are more myths Emily writes about, specially different from the Greek ones. This book made me want to learn about other cultures.
SPANISH
Me encantan los retellings mitológicos. Hay algo en estas historias contadas desde otra perspectiva que me hace querer leer más y más. Especialmente cuando hay personajes LGBTQ+, que para ser sincera nuestra existencia no era tan rara en la mayoría de culturas antiguas.
Ahora bien, este se parecía mucho a Circe. No en el sentido de que hay una diosa que es maltratada por su propia familia y tiene que luchar un poco por sí misma y encontrar su propia fuerza, además de enamorarse de un héroe. Sí, esto también es muy similar a ese libro. Sinceramente, la mayoría de los mitos son bastante parecidos entre culturas, todos somos humanos y nos preocupan casi los mismos problemas. Pero lo que me ha parecido más a Circe ha sido el ritmo, el ritmo e incluso el estilo. No sé si esto pasa en otros relatos de mitología, pero aunque me costó mucho leerlo, realmente lo disfruté. Aun así, Circe es mi favorito.
Hay tantos aspectos de este mito que desconozco... Para empezar, sólo reconozco el nombre del héroe: Gilgamesh. Y eso gracias a que me hablaron de él en una clase en el instituto. En otras palabras, no sabía nada. Así que estaba un poco perdida, sobre todo al principio, pero es muy fácil para la gente que, como yo, no sabe nada pero quiere adentrarse en la historia.
Los personajes principales eran muy complejos. Hay una lucha entre el deber y la emoción en todos ellos, aunque su contexto sea diferente. Casi como si fueran un reflejo de las preocupaciones humanas: el amor, el poder, la familia, la fuerza, la fama incluso quizás algo de venganza... Esta es la mejor parte del libro, en mi opinión.
Sin embargo, no puedo calificarlo con un 5 ya que me pareció muy lento y aunque tenía alrededor de 300 páginas parecía como si fuera casi el doble. La redacción es muy buena, hay acción y siempre pasa algo. Sin embargo, fue demasiado lento para mí. Y el final se resolvió demasiado rápido en comparación. No sé exactamente por qué me sentí así, porque realmente disfruté de la escritura.
Como he dicho, me encantó este libro. Quiero leer los próximos libros y algo más de la autora. Tengo la sensación de que Emily H. Wilson va a ser un gran nombre en un futuro no muy lejano. No sólo eso, sino que espero que Emily escriba sobre más mitos, especialmente diferentes de los griegos. Este libro me hizo querer aprender sobre otras culturas.
LINKS TO BE POSTED
I love mythology retellings. There is something about this stories being told from another perspective that makes me want to read more and more. Specially when there are LGBTQ+ characters, which to be honest was not that weird in a lot of ancient cultures.
Now, this one felt a lot like Circe. Not in the sense that there is a goddess who is abused by her own family and has to somewhat fight by herself and find her own strength, plus falling in love with a hero. Yes, it is very similar to that account. Honestly, most myths are quite similar between cultures, we are all human, and we are worried about almost the same problems. But what it felt like Circe to me was more the pace, the rhythm and even the style of the author. I do not know if this happens in other mythology retellings, but even if it took me a lot to read it, I really did enjoy it. Still, Circe is my favourite.
There were so many aspects of this myth that I don't know. For starters, I only recognize the name of the hero: Gilgamesh. And that is thanks to having talked about it in a class in high school. In other words, I knew nothing. So I was a bit lost, specially at the beginning, but it is very friendly towards people like me who know nothing but want to.
The main characters were very complex. There is a fight between duty and emotion in all of them, even if their context is different. Almost as if they were a reflection of human worries: love, power, family, strength, fame… This is the best part of the book, on my opinion.
However, I could not rate it a 5 since it felt really slow and even when it was around 300 pages it felt like it was almost double. The writing was great, there is action and there is always something happening. Still, it was too slow for me. And the ending resolved itself too fast in comparison. I do not know exactly why I felt that way because I really did enjoy the writing.
Like I said, I loved this book. I want to read the next book(s?) and something more from the author. I have a feeling that Emily H. Wilson is going to be a big name in the not so distant future. Not only that, but I hope there are more myths Emily writes about, specially different from the Greek ones. This book made me want to learn about other cultures.
SPANISH
Me encantan los retellings mitológicos. Hay algo en estas historias contadas desde otra perspectiva que me hace querer leer más y más. Especialmente cuando hay personajes LGBTQ+, que para ser sincera nuestra existencia no era tan rara en la mayoría de culturas antiguas.
Ahora bien, este se parecía mucho a Circe. No en el sentido de que hay una diosa que es maltratada por su propia familia y tiene que luchar un poco por sí misma y encontrar su propia fuerza, además de enamorarse de un héroe. Sí, esto también es muy similar a ese libro. Sinceramente, la mayoría de los mitos son bastante parecidos entre culturas, todos somos humanos y nos preocupan casi los mismos problemas. Pero lo que me ha parecido más a Circe ha sido el ritmo, el ritmo e incluso el estilo. No sé si esto pasa en otros relatos de mitología, pero aunque me costó mucho leerlo, realmente lo disfruté. Aun así, Circe es mi favorito.
Hay tantos aspectos de este mito que desconozco... Para empezar, sólo reconozco el nombre del héroe: Gilgamesh. Y eso gracias a que me hablaron de él en una clase en el instituto. En otras palabras, no sabía nada. Así que estaba un poco perdida, sobre todo al principio, pero es muy fácil para la gente que, como yo, no sabe nada pero quiere adentrarse en la historia.
Los personajes principales eran muy complejos. Hay una lucha entre el deber y la emoción en todos ellos, aunque su contexto sea diferente. Casi como si fueran un reflejo de las preocupaciones humanas: el amor, el poder, la familia, la fuerza, la fama incluso quizás algo de venganza... Esta es la mejor parte del libro, en mi opinión.
Sin embargo, no puedo calificarlo con un 5 ya que me pareció muy lento y aunque tenía alrededor de 300 páginas parecía como si fuera casi el doble. La redacción es muy buena, hay acción y siempre pasa algo. Sin embargo, fue demasiado lento para mí. Y el final se resolvió demasiado rápido en comparación. No sé exactamente por qué me sentí así, porque realmente disfruté de la escritura.
Como he dicho, me encantó este libro. Quiero leer los próximos libros y algo más de la autora. Tengo la sensación de que Emily H. Wilson va a ser un gran nombre en un futuro no muy lejano. No sólo eso, sino que espero que Emily escriba sobre más mitos, especialmente diferentes de los griegos. Este libro me hizo querer aprender sobre otras culturas.
LINKS TO BE POSTED
January 7, 2025
I’m normally not into mythology, but that did a quick turnaround when I finished this book!! This is the first time I’ve ever felt historical fantasy characters this close to my heart.
It was a bit slow at times and didn’t always feel engaging but still I’m impressed by this story and the characters.
The writing tho, oof!!! 😍 Will definitely read the next books in this series.
It was a bit slow at times and didn’t always feel engaging but still I’m impressed by this story and the characters.
The writing tho, oof!!! 😍 Will definitely read the next books in this series.
dnf
June 29, 2024Just not feeling it now
December 18, 2024
New obsession unlocked: Sumer
April 21, 2024
4.5 stars with a wee bit of stardust meant for the calm ship of Ninshubar and Harga.
This book was a total treat for me right from the beginning. Had completed this one a long time ago but couldn’t review it in the detail it demanded. Well, here I am finally out of my hermit mode. So let’s begin with the literary anatomy of this one.
If you are a fan of the ancient civilisations other than the much-acknowledged Greek history, then this book is going to be your best pick, especially if you want to learn about the foundations of the early Babylonian civilisation. For me, Babylon and Sumerians both have always occupied a fascinating place, and therefore when I picked up Innana, I had so many thoughts in my mind. This book starts with our protagonist retelling her own story and in her story we find multiple faces as well as the presence of the very first literary hero Gilgamesh. At places, you will feel as if Innana’s story resembles a bit to that of Persephone’s except that the former never actually gets the one true love of her life.
The best part about the book is it’s character development. Despite the fact that the book is painfully slow than what you will expect, you won’t get bored because at every stop, a new twist is waiting for you to be revealed. Besides, you will find the verbal imagery very serene (at-least this was something that made me a fan of the book). I was able to see Uruk, Ur and the underworld before my eyes. The adventures are intense, and there are some emotional movements weaved into the narrative that are going to make your handkerchiefs wet. Though the book promises to be a fantastical account of the Gods’ lives in early Sumer, you will still find the comical elements hidden deep in the vertices. Within the books, there are a number of characters which have the potential of being your favorites because of the way their character develops overtime. This is quite a seasoned work of fiction mixed with some historical facts.
Highly anticipating the remaining two parts of the trilogy because the book ends on an open-ended note where we find just another grand character in making.
This book was a total treat for me right from the beginning. Had completed this one a long time ago but couldn’t review it in the detail it demanded. Well, here I am finally out of my hermit mode. So let’s begin with the literary anatomy of this one.
If you are a fan of the ancient civilisations other than the much-acknowledged Greek history, then this book is going to be your best pick, especially if you want to learn about the foundations of the early Babylonian civilisation. For me, Babylon and Sumerians both have always occupied a fascinating place, and therefore when I picked up Innana, I had so many thoughts in my mind. This book starts with our protagonist retelling her own story and in her story we find multiple faces as well as the presence of the very first literary hero Gilgamesh. At places, you will feel as if Innana’s story resembles a bit to that of Persephone’s except that the former never actually gets the one true love of her life.
The best part about the book is it’s character development. Despite the fact that the book is painfully slow than what you will expect, you won’t get bored because at every stop, a new twist is waiting for you to be revealed. Besides, you will find the verbal imagery very serene (at-least this was something that made me a fan of the book). I was able to see Uruk, Ur and the underworld before my eyes. The adventures are intense, and there are some emotional movements weaved into the narrative that are going to make your handkerchiefs wet. Though the book promises to be a fantastical account of the Gods’ lives in early Sumer, you will still find the comical elements hidden deep in the vertices. Within the books, there are a number of characters which have the potential of being your favorites because of the way their character develops overtime. This is quite a seasoned work of fiction mixed with some historical facts.
Highly anticipating the remaining two parts of the trilogy because the book ends on an open-ended note where we find just another grand character in making.
October 24, 2023
When I was younger, I opted to write a literary critique of The Epic of Gilgamesh, just for kicks. I had not wanted to take the easy way out by writing about another Western piece prescribed by the curriculum. That was the first time I became fascinated with ancient Eastern stories.
Inanna is special for me, because not only does it reimagine a wonder of ancient Mesopotamian literature; it does so in a way that puts a woman — a girl coming of age, really — on the foreground. This is the same woman who would be regarded as a goddess of love and war in many cultures, many civilizations later.
The novel does not stick to Inanna's voice, either. It tells the story with Ninshubar's strong, independent character and Gilgamesh's roguish, tortured spirit. Ninshubar is a woman who never submits, and teaches Inanna to grow into her glory, while Gilgamesh is a queer man who, shaken by grief, grapples with his conflicting desires for "living as a man" and "living as half a god."
Although the world-building is not (yet) well-defined, the writing gushes as clearly and powerfully as the Euphrates, promising more in the next books. Just watch out for the themes of rape, incest, pedophilia, murder, and other manifestations of violence, as the author does not shy away from these aspects of the original epic poem.
Many reviews compare Inanna to Circe (and I myself love Circe), but Inanna is unique in that it opens the doors for mainstreaming ancient Eastern mythologies. I, for one, can't wait for more books like this to grace my shelves, if only so that writing literary critiques about The Epic of Gilgamesh won't just be for the edgy kids anymore.
I'd classify this as a summer read, but read to your heart's content whenever you're in the mood for mythology!
Inanna is special for me, because not only does it reimagine a wonder of ancient Mesopotamian literature; it does so in a way that puts a woman — a girl coming of age, really — on the foreground. This is the same woman who would be regarded as a goddess of love and war in many cultures, many civilizations later.
The novel does not stick to Inanna's voice, either. It tells the story with Ninshubar's strong, independent character and Gilgamesh's roguish, tortured spirit. Ninshubar is a woman who never submits, and teaches Inanna to grow into her glory, while Gilgamesh is a queer man who, shaken by grief, grapples with his conflicting desires for "living as a man" and "living as half a god."
Although the world-building is not (yet) well-defined, the writing gushes as clearly and powerfully as the Euphrates, promising more in the next books. Just watch out for the themes of rape, incest, pedophilia, murder, and other manifestations of violence, as the author does not shy away from these aspects of the original epic poem.
Many reviews compare Inanna to Circe (and I myself love Circe), but Inanna is unique in that it opens the doors for mainstreaming ancient Eastern mythologies. I, for one, can't wait for more books like this to grace my shelves, if only so that writing literary critiques about The Epic of Gilgamesh won't just be for the edgy kids anymore.
I'd classify this as a summer read, but read to your heart's content whenever you're in the mood for mythology!
April 15, 2024
I confess I first picked this up because I had heard of the classicist Emily Wilson and her renown translations of the Greek epics, so I was excited to see an original novel by her. But in writing this review, I’ve now realized that these are actually two different Emily Wilsons. 🙃 Oops! (Also it took forever to read because my Libby holds kept lapsing and I couldn’t download it onto my Kindle, but I’m so glad I stuck to it because it was so worth it!)
I love the “mythology retellings” genre that’s been having such a moment lately — though unlike the Iliad (Song of Achilles) or the Odyssey (Circe) or the Ramayana (Kaikeyi), I was completely unfamiliar with the Epic of Gilgamesh, so Wilson’s rendition was my first exposure to these stories. After finishing this book I fell into an hours-long Wikipedia rabbit hole learning more about Sumerian myths. I’m obsessed! But frankly I just want to go back to Wilson’s own version of the characters. The emotional depth and worldbuilding is just immaculate. I didn’t realize this was a trilogy going in, and luckily book two comes out later this year so I won’t have to wait too long.
I love the “mythology retellings” genre that’s been having such a moment lately — though unlike the Iliad (Song of Achilles) or the Odyssey (Circe) or the Ramayana (Kaikeyi), I was completely unfamiliar with the Epic of Gilgamesh, so Wilson’s rendition was my first exposure to these stories. After finishing this book I fell into an hours-long Wikipedia rabbit hole learning more about Sumerian myths. I’m obsessed! But frankly I just want to go back to Wilson’s own version of the characters. The emotional depth and worldbuilding is just immaculate. I didn’t realize this was a trilogy going in, and luckily book two comes out later this year so I won’t have to wait too long.
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