Reviews

After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz

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22inbloom's review against another edition

5.0

I did really enjoy this book, but can see why this book might not be for everyone.
Like fragments of Sapphos writing, it tells fragements of womens lives, mostly around italy, france and the uk. (not historically correct)
The writing was the most beautiful part and i also marked a lot of quotes, and here is one of my favourites:

"Thus Noel Pemberton Billing set about teaching all of England what was a clitoris. A clitoris was a kind of lesbian, he maintained; that is, Salomé of Sodom and Lesbia, being the Oriental regions of Germany, had indecently penetrated our noble land, thereby making Miss Allen Maud a Lesbianist;..."

fanni_ann's review

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

sanjubee's review against another edition

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4.0

Really interesting read, especially for those interested in the afterlives of Sappho and other Classical female figures. I really enjoyed the hybrid format and how it allowed the author to 'speculate' on the characters in a very meta sense. My online copy was covered in highlights of thought-provoking lines and new texts to read by the time I was finished.

gracija's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

hellororyg's review

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challenging informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

There’s no denying that this book feels a lot like hard work. It can be a chore to get through, and I almost gave up several times. I’m glad I didn’t, but I completely understand everyone who did.

I read one review that spurred me on, saying that once we reach WWI the book starts to feel easier, and that’s definitely the case.

Regardless, I think this is a fantastic concept and I certainly learned a lot about people I’ll be researching more. Most of the stars I’m giving here are for that reason.