This is a book you want to read straight through in one day. It really is that engaging. I had to know how it was going to end. I'm going to try to maThis is a book you want to read straight through in one day. It really is that engaging. I had to know how it was going to end. I'm going to try to make this review not too spoilery. For instance, I'm not revealing what the title refers to, other than to mention that it is central to this story, and echoes a hard truth in today's world. Also we really need a 4.5 star rating.
The novel is immersive, evocative, and the best representation of the inner life of an eighteen year old that I have ever seen. Some decisions that the main character Cory makes will make you a little crazy, until you remember that you also made terrible decisions when you were eighteen.
It's supposed to be a time of finding yourself, of testing the waters of adulthood. These days, it doesn't take as much for a young adult to take a magnified and serious downturn in life. In my day, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we had no social media, which I think helped, but some networks of vicious gossip are universal, as are the horrors faced by women and girls.
At this vulnerable time of life, of not knowing what she wants to do, or even who she wants to be, a charming, powerful, and dangerous older man, Rolo, enters her world. He manipulates her, giving her more material comforts than she has ever known, and making her think she is being pampered. She senses the danger, but it is so hard to resist. The story builds in layers of addiction, the trap is set.
The writing is descriptively experiential. The author not only describes a place, a setting, a feeling, but also draws us in until we feel it, we see it, we smell it and taste it. The myth of Persephone and Demeter is an inspiration for this modern-day story, adding a ghost structure to the narrative. I especially liked how the author imagined Cerberus, the first warning of the dangers to staying on the Blessed Island, which turns out to be a lot more like Hades. I also appreciated that the author presented one of Rolo's children, Spenser, as being on the spectrum. We can infer a great deal about how Rolo reacts to the inconvenience of caring for his own kids. The author presents kids as they actually are, and parenting as the challenge it really is. As an aside, the author even presents my favorite kind of religious people: the ones who aren't trying to act holier than thou. They cuss a lot and are realists, and very much act out their faith in the best ways they know how.
Cory's mother, who became tough and driven after suffering childhood abuse, has always tried to get her daughter to protect herself from what she knows can be a dangerous world. But, when her daughter is trapped under the spell of a powerful and wealthy man, Emer can feel it. Her daughter needs her and nothing else matters. The contrast between Emer and Rolo can be seen in how each reacts to catastrophic developments in their careers. Rolo is incensed that anything should interfere with his success and happiness. He is callous, greedy, vindictive, and paranoid. He thinks that the world should adapt to him, and there is no reason for him to change. Rolo is the embodiment of entitled late-stage capitalism. Emer, on the other hand, has an opposite reaction. When her career tanks at the same time that she senses Cory is in danger, she immediately puts her daughter ahead of her own needs. Emer is willing to remake herself, rethink her life, soften her hardened emotions and risk everything to find Cory and save her. The author adds a little subtext here by suggesting that many global improvement initiatives feed more egos of the people running them than help the people meant to benefit from them. This is a lesson Emer learns the hard way.
This story was tough to read at times, but very accurately presented, and so beautifully written. And it has stayed with me.
Expected publication date: March 5, 2024
Thank you to Scribner and to Goodreads Giveaways for providing this emotionally powerful novel for review....more
This feminist retelling of Galatea is very entertaining, though its presentation of male chauvinism may truly unnerve the reader. Pygmalion of Cyprus This feminist retelling of Galatea is very entertaining, though its presentation of male chauvinism may truly unnerve the reader. Pygmalion of Cyprus is shown to be a narcissistic, loathsome, and completely unsympathetic character.
Galatea's life reflects the experiences of many women, who are boxed into stereotypes, denied agency, and treated with contempt. ...more
Oh, Snow White is an ice cold scary creature in this retelling. The stylized art is fantastic, and the story is spare, but very effective. Holy Hell. Oh, Snow White is an ice cold scary creature in this retelling. The stylized art is fantastic, and the story is spare, but very effective. Holy Hell. *shiver*...more
the art (perfect for this story) the social work angle the light shone on the forgotten the social issues 3.5 ⭐ rounded down.
Things I loved right away:
the art (perfect for this story) the social work angle the light shone on the forgotten the social issues explored, like: homelessness, addiction, racism, ageism, and homophobia
The narrative itself felt a little rushed. We could have used about 50 more pages to flesh out the story a little better.
I did like the characters, though they seemed a bit emotionally stilted at times.
I will gladly read the sequel, as the story certainly seems set up for one....more
From the title, the reader might expect the story of Theseus and the Minotaur purely from the perspective of Phaedra, but instead, there are many narrFrom the title, the reader might expect the story of Theseus and the Minotaur purely from the perspective of Phaedra, but instead, there are many narrators, including one of the young tributes from Athens, a farmgirl, from whom we learn that even fantastic and impressive palaces such as Knossos, Crete, cover up the same inherent dangers as any other place.
In this retelling of the famous Greek myth, the author emphasizes Theseus' greed and ambition over his celebrated bravado. It's easy to see Theseus as the real monster in the story.
The tale is presented by the various characters themselves in individually separate chapters. Much of the book's style seems almost epistolary in nature, often reading as if someone is corresponding with a friend about all the latest happenings, instead of directly living them. This effect makes the reader feel doubly removed from the story. Overall, Phaedra does not quite achieve the level of other Greek retellings: the lyrical writing of Madeline Miller's Circe, the punch of Jennifer Saint's Ariadne, or the wryness of Natalie Haynes' A Thousand Ships.
One thing that that the author does very well, however, is to highlight the plight of women and their near total lack of power in ancient times. Some elements of the common source material have been changed to highlight this focus.
Thank you to Alcove Press and to #NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of this novel....more
Did I just tag this as one of the best books of 2023? Why yes, I did.
This is the most illuminating account of the leOMG, so good, and now available!
Did I just tag this as one of the best books of 2023? Why yes, I did.
This is the most illuminating account of the lead-up to the Trojan War that I have ever read, and I read just about everything having to do with Greek mythology. The author, Costanza Casati, brings her incredible knowledge of the ancient Greeks and of ancient Greek literature, and greatly expands the narrative we think we already know. Not only is her storytelling smooth and seamless, but also rich in every detail.
As the title suggests, this is Greek tragedy told from the perspective of the Spartan women. Most novels which cover this subject, begin with a narrow focus and expand to the exploits of the famous warriors. However, this author chooses to begin with an expansive examination of the family history, the cultural and religious practices of the time, topographical references, and even the elements of typical of modes of dress and of feasts. The depth of the relationships, and the flaws of each character further contribute to the rich tapestry, which eventually flows to a tension point of final confrontation and retribution. It's a unique approach, and an effective framework for tension building, even when we know how it ends.
If you are a fan of Circe, The Song of Achilles, Ariadne, A Thousand Ships, or Elektra, I can just about guarantee that you will connect with this book, too.
It's really hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Many thanks to Sourcebooks and #NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review....more
Hester is well-researched historical fiction which answers the author's question "What if she [Hester Prynne of the Scarlet Letter] told her own storyHester is well-researched historical fiction which answers the author's question "What if she [Hester Prynne of the Scarlet Letter] told her own story?" By building the story around a potential inspiration for Hawthorne's novel, we see the narrative in a completely new light. Nathaniel Hawthorne was known for folding autobiographical experiences into his books, so why not?
For this reader, the greatest draws are the atmospheric touches: the rich colors, spice-filled breezes, and exotic textures. The author deliberately emphasizes individualism via artistic enhancement, in a world decades after the rigidity and paranoia of early colonial life, one in which Hawthorne's family played a pivotal role. Yet, not everyone in the story is evolved, or revels in the beauty of such a rush of sensory perception. There are always those who try to control others by enforcing the puritanical concepts of unadorned plainness, simplicity, and strict conformity. Albanese takes measure of this early 19th century society through the use of diametrical opposites: earthy and magical, adventurous and practical, dynamic and static, brave and cowardly.
The novel sets the stage for a showdown, centering the protagonist as a challenge to Salem's history of societal shame. This is quite the timely set-up: a strong-willed woman with an eye for the exotic and the unusual, learns through her own observations and with the help of other vulnerable members of the population, that there is skill and artistry involved in claiming your own power. The overriding messages are that integrity of character should count more than wealth or stature, that enchantment is a favored state over boredom, and those who fail to learn what is truly important tend to lose whatever it was they thought they wanted.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for an ARC of this novel for review....more
Holy moly, the 2022 debut novels continue to shine. This is yet another new author to watch. Adelmann's writing is agile, clever, and very sharp.
The Holy moly, the 2022 debut novels continue to shine. This is yet another new author to watch. Adelmann's writing is agile, clever, and very sharp.
The narrative is feminist social theory, viewed through the lens of fairy tale characters who join a modern day trauma support group. It's a great premise, and the author delivers....more
This story is spectacular. The novel combines two of my favorite things: novels based on folklore, and narrative fiction written by poets. The writingThis story is spectacular. The novel combines two of my favorite things: novels based on folklore, and narrative fiction written by poets. The writing is just so good. I practically savored it. The story is bold, rich, extremely creative, and will get you in the feels, too. The story leaps forward like a juggernaut and maintains that pace, no easy task. I don't want to give anything away about the plot. Just suffice it to say that the author demonstrates the importance of our stories, how we carry them forward and tuck them carefully away. If a person's story is told, they cannot be forgotten.
I am grateful to have read this book on a whim, not realizing that it would immerse me in an experience that I won't soon forget....more
This was a good interesting read, though I don't think it rises to the level of the author's previous novel, Ariadne. I would give it 4.5 stars if I cThis was a good interesting read, though I don't think it rises to the level of the author's previous novel, Ariadne. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could, but I can't quite give it 5 stars.
I knew the story, but not from the perspective of the women. That's the main strength of the novel. There's even a hinted coded message that the world should not grant power to insecure men.
There's a lot to like about this novel. Still, the first two thirds of the book seemed more focused solely on the action, and only the in the last third of the book, did the author do a deep dive into evocative reflection. I'm curious to know if anyone else felt the same way while reading it.
Also, while I'm being completely subjective, I hope that we were encouraged to see Elektra as the flawed character that she was. I couldn't sympathize with her and found her to be the most selfish of all the characters. Perhaps that's exactly how the author intended us to see her. It is Greek tragedy, after all, but I do wonder....more
My take on this spare, yet thoughtful play is that the effectiveness depends almost entirely on the voices, which must have extreme individuality in oMy take on this spare, yet thoughtful play is that the effectiveness depends almost entirely on the voices, which must have extreme individuality in order to have the kind of impact the play needs....more
I am really enjoying this series of fractured fables. Reinterpreted (modernized) myths are a gold mine. This particular story is engaging and unexpectI am really enjoying this series of fractured fables. Reinterpreted (modernized) myths are a gold mine. This particular story is engaging and unexpectedly tender as well as funny. Harrow is a dependable writer with something to say about how we see each other and about how we should prioritize relationships above everything else. It's the only thing that matters, in the end.
This is also one of the few stories I've read which features a main character with chronic illness. I can finally see myself reflected, and that is a gift....more
This novella is thoroughly delightful. The writing is exceedingly clever. Harrow has added a feminist agency to female characters in fables. This is eThis novella is thoroughly delightful. The writing is exceedingly clever. Harrow has added a feminist agency to female characters in fables. This is empowerment fabulism, and I am here for it....more
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