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goldbirdcages's review
5.0
They didn’t give you this knowledge. You gave it to yourself. You made your own heart, and you made your own mind. You are the divine result of crumpled receipts and pretzel salt, of expired condoms and forgotten phone numbers, of lipstick and longing, of hands opened and spread out, of dogs running and of trucks on the highway, of cheap champagne and of diner coffee, of address books thrown out the window, of paperbacks and of pregnancies, of crow’s feet and of silver streaks in the dark night of your hair.
paperpaladin's review
2.5
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
bailym's review
4.0
This is the first myth: that your boyfriend from when you were fifteen will come and get you out of hell. He might come, but he won’t get you.
delicious! but the end veers too far into purple
delicious! but the end veers too far into purple
nesa_will_be_a_hobbit_one_day's review
4.0
My rating: 3.5 --> there were several aspects I particularly enjoyed, I’d recommend it
If this was a Buzzfeed article, its title would be "3 myths about romantic love, debunked".
This is a story that chronicles the "romantic" relationships between a human (or a nymph? they call her both) and famous Greek myth figures such as Icarus and Zeus. Every relationship debunks a myth she used to believe about love.
The concept is riveting and the message it delivers is important. I also liked the use of the second person narrative. At times it seemed unbelievable that the protagonist would put up with so much, but I wouldn't dare say it was exagerated: I've seen way too many toxic YA and NA romances with sky-high ratings (I even read some when I was younger – wasted time I'll never get back!). This message needs to be repeated until trashy romances go were they belong: not on the big screen, but in the trash.
The only thing lacking wasthat she never stood up for herself in front of her abusers, she never called them out on their hypocrisy or spoke up to let others know their true colors. I would have loved to see this happening, as it would have made other women/ nymphs/ goddesses/ spirits/ cows (Zeus knows no limits) think twice before getting involved with them.
Overall, and enjoyable read with an empowering feminist message. Plus, it's free!)
"This is the first myth: that your boyfriend from when you were fifteen will come and get you out of hell."
If this was a Buzzfeed article, its title would be "3 myths about romantic love, debunked".
This is a story that chronicles the "romantic" relationships between a human (or a nymph? they call her both) and famous Greek myth figures such as Icarus and Zeus. Every relationship debunks a myth she used to believe about love.
The concept is riveting and the message it delivers is important. I also liked the use of the second person narrative. At times it seemed unbelievable that the protagonist would put up with so much, but I wouldn't dare say it was exagerated: I've seen way too many toxic YA and NA romances with sky-high ratings (I even read some when I was younger – wasted time I'll never get back!). This message needs to be repeated until trashy romances go were they belong: not on the big screen, but in the trash.
The only thing lacking was
Overall, and enjoyable read with an empowering feminist message. Plus, it's free!)
"This is the first myth: that your boyfriend from when you were fifteen will come and get you out of hell."
sch91086's review
4.0
Read this a week or two ago and really loved it. Kind of a literary experiment, but it worked.
Headley’s writing feels really powerful to me, though I haven’t quite figured out why. I’m looking forward to more of her work in the future.
Headley’s writing feels really powerful to me, though I haven’t quite figured out why. I’m looking forward to more of her work in the future.
funkycide's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
virginiareads's review
4.0
Tor short story at:
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/23/a-girlfriends-guide-to-gods-maria-dahvana-headley/
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/23/a-girlfriends-guide-to-gods-maria-dahvana-headley/
wanderingwordsmith's review
4.0
I don't usually like things that are written in 2nd person, or as kind of stream of consciousness, but I really enjoyed this short story. It hit so many points at once while also tying in themes from different relationships in mythology and proving that a woman can make herself happy more than any other person can. It was uplifting and inspiring while also being a bit tongue in cheek. I really enjoyed Headley's writing style and may definitely check out more of their work in the future.