Pages 1 - 77
I started Radiant Darkness last night, and I'm hooked. Has anyone else started yet? I have finished Part One: Above.
I love the vale that Persephone lives in. It sounds enchanting, if not a little strange to have no men in the vale. I think I need to read up on some mythology to get a little back story, although in the book Persephone says that she is telling the "real" story, not the story that has been told for thousands of years. That is what I love about stories and fiction, writers can make a twist. I just wonder if the rest of the book will be a "twist" from the original tale or not.
Read below for a short synopsis of Persephone. And here is a statue of Persephone (also known as Kore; and known as Queen of the Underworld). The statue is in Acropolis Museum, Athens.
"Beautiful daughter of Zeus and Demeter; sometimes considered an Olympian. While gathering flowers in a field one day, Persephone was abducted to the Underworld by Hades, who arose in his chariot from a fissure in the ground. Demeter, goddess of the harvest, was heartbroken, and while she wandered the length and breadth of the earth in search of her daughter, the crops withered and it became perpetual winter. At length Hades was persuaded to surrender Persephone for one half of every year, the spring and summer seasons when flowers bloom and the earth bears fruit once more. The half year that Persephone spends in the Underworld as Hades' queen coincides with the barren season."
taken from: http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/persephone.html
Some Discussion Questions:
What is the central difference between the original Myth of Persephone and the story being told in Radiant Darkness? Is that enough to build a book on? Do you think there will be more twists to the original myth?
Would you enjoy a life of frolicking with friends? Having little demands of the mortal world and having a life of leisure? Or would you feel trapped and stunted as Persephone does?
What do you think of Demeter in this portrayal? Why do you think the author has portrayed her as an uninvolved parent? Do you think we will learn about her detached attitude as the story evolves?
Narcissum
(commonly known as Daffodil)
Page 77 - End
I wanted to post a few more times before I finished the book, but I had to put it down for a few weeks, then I picked it up and finished it. I loved it. I loved the twist on a Myth and seeing an alternative story to the original myth. What did you think? Did you like it?
I have to admit I had to do a lot of research during the read. I was first confused by the underworld. I was confusing the Judo-Christian believe in Heaven and Hell and was confused with everyone going to the underworld. I was also confused by the underworld not appearing more like Dante's Inferno. I know, I need to read up on my Greek Mythology! Once I read a few quick Wikipedia enteries I got my mind out of the world of 1 God and into the world of many Gods and Goddess. Anyone else have to take a second and rethink the setting?
I thought the underworld sounds fascinating in this version. I thought is was funny that Persephone was able to plant a garden and have it thrive. And I guess the thought of the underworld having daylight, etc...
Well, what did you think about the idea that Persephone went to the Underworld because she loved Hades and wanted to be his Queen. A very different way to view the myth, that originally says that Hades kidnapped Persephone and forced her to marry him. This version gives all the power to Persephone, were the original myth is the Rape of Persephone. Obviously a 180 in how to characterize Persephone and Hades. What do you think of this fundamental change in the story?
Have you read any other stories that are twists on Myths? How does this story stack up to the other ones?
What do you have to say about this book? Would you recommend it to a friend? Why? Does it make you want to read more like this story? What part of the story is that you are drawn to and want to read more of?
I wanted to post a few more times before I finished the book, but I had to put it down for a few weeks, then I picked it up and finished it. I loved it. I loved the twist on a Myth and seeing an alternative story to the original myth. What did you think? Did you like it?
I have to admit I had to do a lot of research during the read. I was first confused by the underworld. I was confusing the Judo-Christian believe in Heaven and Hell and was confused with everyone going to the underworld. I was also confused by the underworld not appearing more like Dante's Inferno. I know, I need to read up on my Greek Mythology! Once I read a few quick Wikipedia enteries I got my mind out of the world of 1 God and into the world of many Gods and Goddess. Anyone else have to take a second and rethink the setting?
I thought the underworld sounds fascinating in this version. I thought is was funny that Persephone was able to plant a garden and have it thrive. And I guess the thought of the underworld having daylight, etc...
Well, what did you think about the idea that Persephone went to the Underworld because she loved Hades and wanted to be his Queen. A very different way to view the myth, that originally says that Hades kidnapped Persephone and forced her to marry him. This version gives all the power to Persephone, were the original myth is the Rape of Persephone. Obviously a 180 in how to characterize Persephone and Hades. What do you think of this fundamental change in the story?
Have you read any other stories that are twists on Myths? How does this story stack up to the other ones?
What do you have to say about this book? Would you recommend it to a friend? Why? Does it make you want to read more like this story? What part of the story is that you are drawn to and want to read more of?
I know I am very late commenting on the book but I did read it earlier in the summer. I liked this book more than I thought I would. When you read the book you have to understand some Greek mythology to know what's going on and how it all ends up. I Think the author portrayed Persephone's mom, Demeter like that because I think that a lot of Gods and Goddesses may have been like that in the book. I do think I would feel like Persephone after a while because it would be the same thing one day after the other and after a while you want to switch up the routine.
ReplyDeleteRadiant Darkness was a great book! The change in book was great and it happened at the right moment. The change wasn't a regular change it was one of those changes where if you didn't know anything about Greek mythology you would of been clueless.
ReplyDelete