Introduction

In this mesmerizing tale of devotion and deception, transcending time and cultural boundaries, internationally bestselling author Karen Essex leads us on a journey to the heart of human aspiration. Stealing Athena is the story of two women separated by centuries but united by their overwhelming wisdom and strength. Aspasia, a philosopher and courtesan to visionary politician Pericles during Athens's Golden Age, is a woman who defies societal restrictions and creates her own sense of freedom out of her subjected status. Mary, the Countess of Elgin and a beautiful Scottish heiress, sacrifices all she has for the sake of her husband's costly antiquarian acquisitions, all the while losing herself in her marriage and questioning her place in society. Through the interweaving narratives of these two resilient women, Karen Essex captures our hearts and our minds, enchanting us with a tale that is rich in romance and steeped in fascinating history.

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Excerpt

Mary hit the floor of the ship's squalid cabin with a dull thud, jolting her awake and sending a pain so sharp up her spine that Zeus might as well have hurtled a thunderbolt into her backside. She tried to breathe, but the fetid odors—dank wood; stale, trapped air; foul clothing; and the urine and excrement of humans and animals—were unbearable partners with the sickness that went along with the early stages of pregnancy. The stench she'd briefly escaped during her nap came rushing back in to claim space in her nostrils, and she gagged. Her head spun like scum swirling under a bridge, but that was nothing compared to the sick feeling in her stomach. On this voyage, sleep--when one could come by it through a good dose of laudanum mixed with iron salts, all dissolved with strong liquor in a syrupy elixir—was her only respite from the miseries of sea travel. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. What were your initial impressions of Mary and Lord Elgin's relationship in the opening scenes of Stealing Athena? How do the dynamics of the relationship change as the novel progresses?

2. Discuss the significance of Sir William's giving Mary the copy of Plutarch's Life of Pericles in the beginning of the novel. How does this relate to Mary's understanding of Emma Hamilton, Aspasia, and the varying roles of women in society?

3. How was your reading enhanced when the narration switched from third person, in the more modern scenes with Lord Elgin and Mary, to first person, when Essex introduces Aspasia and the world of ancient Athens? How does this shape your understanding of the characters in Stealing Athena?

4. How would you characterize the relationship between Mary and her parents? How does the fact that Mary is their only child impact that relationship? Is this ultimately beneficial or detrimental to Mary?

5. Discuss the recurring theme of diplomacy and how it relates to Mary and Lord Elgin as well as Aspasia and Pericles. How does the notion of being a foreigner relate with this theme?

6. How do Mary's relationships with the various men in her life come to define her as a person? In particular, discuss her relationships with Lord Elgin, the Pasha, the Sultan, and Robert Ferguson. What is significant about the way she relates to men?

7. Discuss the relevance of the title, Stealing Athena, as it relates to both time periods covered in the novel. Which characters seem to embody the title the most?

8. How does Aspasia represent freedom and oppression simultaneously? How does Mary mirror this in her own situation? Whose social status would you rather experience-Aspasia's or Mary's?

9. How does the issue of personal wealth play a role in the plot concerning Mary and Lord Elgin? In what ways do financial issues connect Lord Elgin and Pericles?

10. What do Mary and Aspasia's dreams represent in the context of their individual stories? How do their visions compare to your perception of the world?

11. Describe the differing views of pregnancy as it relates to both Aspasia and Mary. How is pregnancy both a blessing and a curse for them? What does this imply about the societies in which each woman exists?

12. How does the theme of nationalism play an increasingly larger role as the novel progresses? Discuss this as it relates especially to Lord Elgin, Pericles, and Napoleon. How is each man's sense of self related to his national identity?

13. Discuss the consequences of the trials on both Aspasia and Mary. How do both women handle the scrutiny of the public eye?

14. Discuss the prevailing theme of Greek legendry. How does the interplay of folklore and Christianity set a tone throughout Stealing Athena? What is the significance of the curse of Athena throughout the novel?

15. What was your reaction to the closing passage, titled “The Fates of Our Characters”? In what way did the addendum enhance your understanding of the novel's historical context?

16. How do the imagery, characterizations, and themes of Stealing Athena relate to those in other Karen Essex novels you have read? What new ideas or concepts does Essex introduce in this work?

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