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jvillar3's review against another edition
4.0
Call Me Athena follows a young woman in 1930s Detroit who is not only living through the Great Depression but is struggling with her identity as a woman under the pressures of familial and cultural obligations. We get her perspective as we also volley between her mothers and fathers perspectives as they tell their stories of their childhoods and how they came to immigrate to the U.S.
First of all, that cover is absolutely gorgeous. Smith does a good job of weaving these stories together while touching on many topics including poverty, war, hunger, disease and the social expectations of woman in particular. I actually did not read the description at first so I didn't know the other perspectives were of her parents and I thought that was a better way to consume the story.
Personally, I dont think the book needed to be in verse (I listened the the audiobook though) and it would have provided more ground to really dig into each of these stories. Often times I felt like the perspectives were changing too quickly without enough time to settle into the story being told. Each of the stories was really interesting and engaging so I wanted to spend more time with them, especially the mother. Considering this book deals heavily with the expectations of women, I thought it would have been really powerful to see more about how those expectations were placed on her mom and how they are now effecting her and how Mary is raised.
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story that grants a short snap shot into the immigrant experience and the circumstances that lead to people wanting/needing to immigrate. I also appreciated the historical aspects about Ford in particular and that bit of micro history from Detroit.
* I received an audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
First of all, that cover is absolutely gorgeous. Smith does a good job of weaving these stories together while touching on many topics including poverty, war, hunger, disease and the social expectations of woman in particular. I actually did not read the description at first so I didn't know the other perspectives were of her parents and I thought that was a better way to consume the story.
Personally, I dont think the book needed to be in verse (I listened the the audiobook though) and it would have provided more ground to really dig into each of these stories. Often times I felt like the perspectives were changing too quickly without enough time to settle into the story being told. Each of the stories was really interesting and engaging so I wanted to spend more time with them, especially the mother. Considering this book deals heavily with the expectations of women, I thought it would have been really powerful to see more about how those expectations were placed on her mom and how they are now effecting her and how Mary is raised.
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story that grants a short snap shot into the immigrant experience and the circumstances that lead to people wanting/needing to immigrate. I also appreciated the historical aspects about Ford in particular and that bit of micro history from Detroit.
* I received an audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
dayrepresent's review against another edition
5.0
"Call me Athena. She wasn't a Good Greek Girl either."
First, thank you for providing this lovely ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I am glad that I gave this a try. And what a lovely coincidence, that I finished this on international women's day.
I might be biased because of my name, but goodness me, this little book was very enjoyable to read. Now I will admit to being absolutely shocked when I first opened the book because somewhere along the line I must have missed the bit that said this book was written in verse. However, I am glad I missed it because I honestly would not have picked it up otherwise. Having said that, I must say I enjoyed it more than I had expected. In fact, the format lends itself perfectly to the deep feeling of "Sehnsucht" you will find in the book.
What a beautiful, strong family that strives for independence and has to deal with the harsh reality that threatens their hopes and dreams at every turn. Coming from a Greek immigrant family myself, I am all too familiar with the stories of war-torn Greece and Europe that shape this book and found the book to struck a balance between the suffering and hopeful longing it portrays. The story of Mary and her parents is so beautifully connected and shows just how much people are willing to sacrifice for what they love and long for.
First, thank you for providing this lovely ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I am glad that I gave this a try. And what a lovely coincidence, that I finished this on international women's day.
I might be biased because of my name, but goodness me, this little book was very enjoyable to read. Now I will admit to being absolutely shocked when I first opened the book because somewhere along the line I must have missed the bit that said this book was written in verse. However, I am glad I missed it because I honestly would not have picked it up otherwise. Having said that, I must say I enjoyed it more than I had expected. In fact, the format lends itself perfectly to the deep feeling of "Sehnsucht" you will find in the book.
What a beautiful, strong family that strives for independence and has to deal with the harsh reality that threatens their hopes and dreams at every turn. Coming from a Greek immigrant family myself, I am all too familiar with the stories of war-torn Greece and Europe that shape this book and found the book to struck a balance between the suffering and hopeful longing it portrays. The story of Mary and her parents is so beautifully connected and shows just how much people are willing to sacrifice for what they love and long for.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
Historicals in verse are my jam, and Call Me Athena doesn't disappoint. Loved seeing Mary's coming of age in Detroit in the 1930s, and was likewise moved by the perspectives of her parents as World War I comes to a close. Lovely representation of 20th century immigration.
exist0ni's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First, I am in LOVE with the cover of this book. It's just beautiful.
First, I am in LOVE with the cover of this book. It's just beautiful.
ofloveandlayovers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lieperjp's review against another edition
5.0
Don't let the length intimidate you! The three stories interweave beautifully with each other, and the themes of love, hope, family, strength, and individualism give each reader something to consider and grow over.
stracciastela's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
disregarding the horrible greek accent of the audiobook lol
this was so hearbreakingly lovely
this was so hearbreakingly lovely