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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
This book is a slog. There are far too many people and perspectives to make for coherent reading, yet the author only looks at white women. There's no poc or gender identity diversity.
The changing short paragraphs and the academic style make it almost unreadable. If the author is going to fictionalise these women's lives, why not go all the way and write a more engaging piece?
The changing short paragraphs and the academic style make it almost unreadable. If the author is going to fictionalise these women's lives, why not go all the way and write a more engaging piece?
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Rarely am I so middle of the road on a novel.
After Sappho is a wonderful undertaking. Simultaneously an attempt at what can be and often is described as literary fiction, and an attempt to render many characters in the history of feminism and queer women a chorus in the Greek tradition, it is complicated and uncompromising. All of which are good things. Here is what is not:
The sheer quantity of characters that result in a vague knowledge of all and a connection with none.
The odd near-fetishism and reductionism of Ancient Greek culture, resulting in the sentiment that Aeschylus and Sappho would have both supported feminism as these women see it.
Lines that, in their vehement desire to be potent, lose all potency. It feels in many ways that Schwartz is attempting to cater to BookTok, and in so doing doesn't cater at all.
In short, After Sappho is a wonderful idea that isn't executed very wonderfully at all. But it is luminous in its attempt, and so if this summary sounds at all interesting to you, I heartily recommend it.
After Sappho is a wonderful undertaking. Simultaneously an attempt at what can be and often is described as literary fiction, and an attempt to render many characters in the history of feminism and queer women a chorus in the Greek tradition, it is complicated and uncompromising. All of which are good things. Here is what is not:
The sheer quantity of characters that result in a vague knowledge of all and a connection with none.
The odd near-fetishism and reductionism of Ancient Greek culture, resulting in the sentiment that Aeschylus and Sappho would have both supported feminism as these women see it.
Lines that, in their vehement desire to be potent, lose all potency. It feels in many ways that Schwartz is attempting to cater to BookTok, and in so doing doesn't cater at all.
In short, After Sappho is a wonderful idea that isn't executed very wonderfully at all. But it is luminous in its attempt, and so if this summary sounds at all interesting to you, I heartily recommend it.
A series of vignettes that cover the queer literary and art movements in Europe during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The book was just so beautiful it reads like a poem in the best way. I really wish that I had had more of a background to these women and so that I had more context. The women that I did know more about made the book so much richer so this makes me want to reread this once I know more about this period in history. I like the Greek chorus inserts, it made me feel like I was one of the queer women gathered around the lighthouses of the era. The way that this book talks about the different sects of these movements. Agan, this book also talked a lot about the politics of the time, making me want to go back and learn more about the history of the time and read this again. The style of the book also fits with the time period very well while also being it’s own thing. The choices the author made as far as who to include (especially men) in the narrative is interesting. Women are often erased in men’s stories so it was interesting to see men that are important in these women’s lives being removed. I don’t think it was bad, just an interesting way to reframe these narratives in the same way that it is in men’s stories. It was just a beautiful book in every way.
I’m stupidly averse to DNFing but I was desperately hoping this would get better. I should have stopped a couple chapters in because it was really dull.
The concept was THERE but the execution was poor. The prose is really pretty but it is extremely hard to follow with so many POVs and time periods flipflopping throughout. I couldn’t remember who half the characters were or why I was supposed to care about them.
Not worth a read in my opinion.
The concept was THERE but the execution was poor. The prose is really pretty but it is extremely hard to follow with so many POVs and time periods flipflopping throughout. I couldn’t remember who half the characters were or why I was supposed to care about them.
Not worth a read in my opinion.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so far from my realm of reading and I’m so happy I picked it up.
Reviews on this are smart and insightful… mine maybe a little different haha…
A group of female trailblazers (Virginia Wolff, Natalie Barney, Romaine Brooks just to name a few) around the turn of the 20th century are the focus. They all have their moments alternating through these short vignettes giving you the briefest look into each of their stories. They are poets, actresses, writes, dancers and painters perceived at that time as volatile for having desires and dreams.
My piece of advice when picking up this uniquely formatted book, do not expect the norm. It read very much like a documentary the snippets gave off an interview vibe which made for short glimpses into the different characters and moments in time.
“When the stars came out she sang to them too, they were like starfish turned inside out, empty and bright.”
“There is always this risk, in life, that we have our parts in a tragedy and we do not know it.”
Reviews on this are smart and insightful… mine maybe a little different haha…
A group of female trailblazers (Virginia Wolff, Natalie Barney, Romaine Brooks just to name a few) around the turn of the 20th century are the focus. They all have their moments alternating through these short vignettes giving you the briefest look into each of their stories. They are poets, actresses, writes, dancers and painters perceived at that time as volatile for having desires and dreams.
My piece of advice when picking up this uniquely formatted book, do not expect the norm. It read very much like a documentary the snippets gave off an interview vibe which made for short glimpses into the different characters and moments in time.
“When the stars came out she sang to them too, they were like starfish turned inside out, empty and bright.”
“There is always this risk, in life, that we have our parts in a tragedy and we do not know it.”
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After Sappho by Shelby Lynn Schwartz is a deeply evocative and unconventional work of fiction that feels more like a mosaic than a traditional narrative. It’s bold, fragmentary, and unapologetically literary, taking inspiration from the lyricism of Sappho herself. Schwartz crafts a tapestry of vignettes that interweave history, myth, and imagination, centering the lives of women and queer figures across time. It’s a book that asks its reader to engage actively, rewarding those who embrace its structure but likely alienating those who prefer more linear storytelling.
Reading After Sappho feels like wandering through an art gallery where each painting offers only a glimpse of a greater whole. Schwartz’s prose is rich and often poetic, evoking a sense of timelessness and universality in its themes of desire, creativity, and the yearning for freedom. Her command of language is extraordinary; she wields words like an artist with a palette knife, carving out sharp, unforgettable images. However, the density of the prose and the elliptical structure can make it challenging to follow, especially if you’re not in the right mindset. It’s a book that demands patience, but it doesn’t always reward that effort consistently.
What makes the novel stand out is its refusal to conform—not only in its format but in its content. Schwartz centers voices historically marginalized, suppressed, or erased, allowing them to speak in a collective chorus. It’s empowering and deeply feminist, yet it doesn’t feel like a manifesto; it’s more of a hymn or a lament, depending on how you interpret it. The way Schwartz plays with temporality is particularly striking, creating connections between the ancient world and more modern periods without explicitly anchoring the text to one era. This fluidity underscores the enduring relevance of Sappho’s legacy and the struggles of women to claim autonomy in patriarchal systems.
That said, this is not a book for everyone. The lack of a conventional plot or character arcs means it can feel abstract or detached. At times, the fragments felt so elusive that I found myself struggling to connect emotionally, even as I admired the craftsmanship. There were moments where I wished Schwartz would linger longer on certain images or characters rather than flitting away, leaving me yearning for more. It’s a book that prioritizes ideas and aesthetics over narrative cohesion, which may frustrate some readers.
In terms of accessibility, After Sappho is undeniably niche. It’s the kind of book that thrives in academic or literary circles, but it may not resonate as widely with casual readers. That’s not necessarily a flaw—Schwartz is clearly writing for a specific audience—but it’s worth noting if you’re considering picking it up.
Overall, I’d give After Sappho 4.25 stars. It’s a stunningly original work that pushes the boundaries of what fiction can be, but its structural and stylistic choices can feel alienating at times. If you’re in the mood for something experimental, thought-provoking, and richly textured, this could be a profoundly rewarding read. However, if you’re looking for something more plot-driven or emotionally direct, this might not be the book for you. It’s not a universal crowd-pleaser, but for the right reader, it’s a revelation.