Reading this book about Sappho one reviews the early history of Greece, Lesbo, and Crete. The fiction is complete with ideas of greek myths.

Story: 4/5

n  Audio narration: 5/5n  
n

So, I'm starting to think that Greek mythology really isn't for me.

To be fair, this isn't 100% mythology. Sappho of Lesbos was a real celebrity in a real place/time, but because she lived in BC times, much of what's known about her is speculation. Only one of her famous poems even survived in its entirety; the rest of what we have is in fragments. A lot of this book is (highly researched) speculation by Erica Jong.

It was exceptionally well written. Jong was a real talent, and the story was very immersive in this setting. The culture popped off the pages.

Unfortunately, I didn't much care for this version of Sappho as a person. She was petty and shallow and a little ridiculous. Watching her continually make stupid choices was frustrating as all get-out. The narrative doesn't EXCUSE her flaws-- she's called out on her selfish naiveté quite a bit. But that doesn't make it any more enjoyable to read. Not to mention, the fact that this story was fairly steeped in realism yet kept cutting back to Zeus and Aphrodite was very jarring. I wish it had picked one route or the other-- be it fantastical or realistic.

I don't regret reading this, but a lot of it has to do with the reader's good voice. If I'd been reading the text instead of listening to the audio, I don't think I'd've finished it.

I struggled with this a bit. Enjoyed it enough to finish it, but not my favourite of Jong's books.

A very enjoyable novel. It is a very, very fictionalized narration of Sappho's life (the little that is known about her), but it entertains and makes the pages turn by themselves. A few things may not quite catch with the refined reader: the sudden mythical dimension she enters once escaped from Egypt (the journey into Hades, her meeting with the Amazons and the Centaurs) would've been a better narrative choice if the reader was left wondering those were simply visions of the great poet. Second, some twists not really in line with the plot (the multiple comebacks of a few main characters) and lastly, a certain redundancy when indulging in titillating details. For the rest, a valid read to have an insight of ancient Greece and its mythology.

I had no idea who Sappho was when I chose this book. She's an ancient Greek poet, known as a muse and a devotee of Aphrodite. I enjoy Greek stories but this modern take on a lesser known Greek was too convoluted for my liking. A lot of eroticism that I felt didn't need to be there, perhaps that's the ancient way. The writing style is similar to the Odyssey, that's a plus, the rest was rather dull. So much potential to create a strong character but wasted by her longing and heartbrokenness over one man.

This book was much more fanciful than I expected, which was not a bad thing at all. I am not sure if Sappho and Aesop were actually contemporaries but it was a fun read.

I'm not too familiar with the legends of Sappho (or with Ancient Greek history/mythology in general), which is probably good based on other reviews. Without caring about historical accuracy, I thought the plot and characters were engaging. Definitely had Odyssey-esque elements to it, but not as detailed or mythical.

I listened to this as an audiobook and found it sufficiently paced; my experience may have been different had I been physically reading it.

[[Read for the 2024 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt: a book with the word "leap" in the title]]

I enjoyed reading this historical book about the time in which Sappho lived, with all the turbulent wars the Greeks participated in, and in which the sociocultural climate changed in a negative way for the position of women. It was my first introduction to the singer and poet Sappho, and it triggered a certain desire to read her original poems and to get to know her better.

This was a beautifully written book in terms of language and imagery, but goodness, you need to be grounded in Greek mythology and art or you will miss half of the allusions and references the author is using. We get it, Ms. Jong - you're really smart and have studied the classics; we should too. Never the less, I trudged through. I would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't think I'd needed a Masters Degree in Classical Lit to follow it all. I found the character of Sappho herself to be rather unlikable (others might find her brave?) due to her personal choices, and which of her loves she chooses to follow, to the detriment of her family and more than a little of her own heart.

Jong took on a difficult task - to create a historical novel about a poet who didn't exactly leave much in the way of biography (or in extant works). I appreciate that, as well as Jong's feminist stance. However her attempt comes off as somewhat heavy handed - and the argument between Aphrodite and Zeus that is interspersed throughout the story becomes annoying after a while.

Good effort, but not a good read.

This book was kind of ridiculous but also fun and funny. I was hoping for Madeline Miller or Mary Renault but got a totally far fetched Sappho fan fiction- Jong creates a feminist Odyssey that was at times repetitive and corny and a bit porny. Not the greatest book but definitely entertaining. Viva Centaurcadia!!

The book was interesting and aspects were well phrased but I constantly felt as though I was merely skimming across the story rather than feeling involved. It read more like a history book than an evocative story of Sappho's life. That being said the different characters and the myths that were woven into the story were intriguing and for the most part the writing was well done.