Persephone: A Short Story by Lev Grossman 🍇
Synopsis:
A teenage nobody crosses a line that will change her life forever in this short coming-of-age story by number one New York Times bestselling author Lev Grossman.
Ever since her dad disappeared five years ago, Persephone has quietly walled off the feelings she’d rather not feel. There’s no room for pain or anger when you’re just trying to get through the hell that is high school. But one day, the crush of taunts and disappointments is finally too much—and a power breaks loose inside her that she never knew was there.
TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62991532-persephone
Genre:
- YA, Coming of Age
- Mythology Retelling (Greek)
- Science Fic
- Urban Fantasy
- Fantasy
- Contemporary Fic
Tropes and Themes:
- Goddess Persephone Retelling
- Power Incontinence, Unstable Power Girl
- Disappeared Dad Trope
It’s short for Persephone, a goddess who went out picking flowers one day and wound up married to the god of death because she ate some pomegranate seeds. My parents either read way too much Greek mythology or not nearly enough.”
Persephone: A Short Story
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I’ll admit, this cover stunned me with the gorgeous pomegranate, referencing Greek Goddess Persephone, and other lovely whimsical elements, like the moss, twigs, butterfly, and more!
I’ve always had a fascination with Greek Mythology, Gods, and Godessses, and the intensity of their stories. I just had to borrow this read from Prime, reading the Into Shadow collection out of order, (as per usual).
Persephone is a less-than-popular high school girl in contemporary society who has a gift, or possibly even a curse — she’s not sure, and before her father disappeared, he hadn’t made that clear, either.
Unlike me, he always believed in me. He always told me I was special, that I had a gift, and I just had to wait till I grew up to find out what it was.”
Persephone: A Short Story
I didn’t ask for much. All I wanted was a part in the Winter Plays, even if it was an old- lady part. And I wanted a book bag without any rats in it. And I wanted to know where my dad was.”
Persephone: A Short Story
As mentioned, this is a coming-of-age (or rage) story and although this is a short read, I was disappointed that her magic was never truly explained; it just happened like a thunderclap headache and she was whisked away in a hush, hush / nothing to see here fashion. It’s unfortunate this wasn’t drawn out further.
I still didn’t know if it was a gift or a curse, I didn’t choose it, but it was mine, it was who I was. No returns. No going back.”
Persephone: A Short Story
I liked the FMC, Persephone, and the setting of Lexington, Massachusetts! As a Massachusetts resident myself, I enjoyed seeing my state represented. Definitely saw that sarcastic sense of humor representative of the North East in Persephone, making her a likable character and even a little bit relatable.
But I would be free, and I would be myself. Show me those f_cking pomegranate seeds, I thought. Come on. I’ll eat every last one of them.”
Persephone: A Short Story
About the Author:
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