Title: The Last Flight of Daedalus
Author: Anthony Marra
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013
I love that this story is about what happens after Icarus dies. I mean, the grief of a father and the horrors of Daedalus witnessing his own boys’ death is horrible and one thing. But I’ve never really thought about what happens to Daedalus after it all. And Marra was able to answer that question wonderfully. I honestly loved this short story and thought it was incredibly clever.
Like the original myth, Marra’s short story has a fairly poetic ending. But still quite tragic. It was a little bit hard to read about the depths of Daedalus’ grief and the lengths that he will go to to find closure. Something that I think everyone will hunt for at times.
This is honestly a beautiful tale of a father’s love for his son. And the regret for the decisions that led to this moment. It is a wonderful story, and one that definitely hit hard at this point in my life.
Earth and Skye 