Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Francesca Lia Block puts her powerful prose to work in this stunningly simple, yet amazingly complex book. We follow a teenaged girl, known as Psyche, throughout her life, which mirrors the stories in several Greek myths.
An actress in her father's odd, violent movies, Psyche considers herself her father's muse, who took over when her mother left. At night, she is visited by Love himself, who tells her that she is Soul. Her lover brings the sound of the ocean with him, the taste of citrus spray on her lips, and tales of long ago to her ears. She loves this man, but has no idea what he looks like, for he has forbid her to turn on the light when he is with her. Cajoled by her sisters, Psyche's doubts begin to grow, and she breaks the rules by lighting a candle. Only then does she discover that she is in love with a god, and she does not deserve him.
After he leaves, Psyche's life spirals into the pits of hell as she tries to win Love back. Throughout random affairs, abusive relationships, and a reunion with her mother, Psyche realizes how she is playing out the tales that Love told her long ago. She probably will never find Love again, but perhaps she can be worthy of him, someday.
A quick read with mature themes, this book will leave the reader begging for more, tempted by the satisfying banquet of words this story presents.
Francesca Lia Block puts her powerful prose to work in this stunningly simple, yet amazingly complex book. We follow a teenaged girl, known as Psyche, throughout her life, which mirrors the stories in several Greek myths.
An actress in her father's odd, violent movies, Psyche considers herself her father's muse, who took over when her mother left. At night, she is visited by Love himself, who tells her that she is Soul. Her lover brings the sound of the ocean with him, the taste of citrus spray on her lips, and tales of long ago to her ears. She loves this man, but has no idea what he looks like, for he has forbid her to turn on the light when he is with her. Cajoled by her sisters, Psyche's doubts begin to grow, and she breaks the rules by lighting a candle. Only then does she discover that she is in love with a god, and she does not deserve him.
After he leaves, Psyche's life spirals into the pits of hell as she tries to win Love back. Throughout random affairs, abusive relationships, and a reunion with her mother, Psyche realizes how she is playing out the tales that Love told her long ago. She probably will never find Love again, but perhaps she can be worthy of him, someday.
A quick read with mature themes, this book will leave the reader begging for more, tempted by the satisfying banquet of words this story presents.
