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gondorgirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, and Infidelity
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.25
A pretty solid modern family drama based off Greek myth. There are a lot of povs in here, and it can get messy to keep track of. But that is fitting for Greek myth. Not my favorite retelling? interpretation?, but it's not bad at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, Alcohol, Death, and Grief
someryarns's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
ashhearddwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, and Death
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I’m glad I got to this book for a discussion with Stacey Swann and @lbtheloverofbooks. I’ve had it for a while and it was sitting in my TBR.
I don’t know if I realized it was such a parody of Greek mythology Olympus - like Texas people who think they are like gods - Texas bigness
Peter (Zeus) from Jupiter
June (Hera) from Juno
Hap (Hephaestus) also Volcan
March (Mars)
Arlo (Apollo) was Paul but close to Peter
Artie (Artemis)
Thea (Athena)
Vera (Venus)
Ryan (Orion)
For sure, a knowledge of all these characters would enrich the reading of this story and what happens within these pages. When things happened in the book, I referred to mythology explanations. It made it more interesting to me, since I needed a refresher.
This story takes place over a week in modern time in Texas (I lived in Waco and this reminds me of a country town in the area, described as being on the Brazos river). It features a dysfunctional family who has all suffered for each other, with several people not really doing what would help them the most (in their minds to be there for their family). This book really plays with that question of how that serves individuals to live their lives for other people.
The backstories scattered throughout each start with a quote from Ovid, as well as the quote beginning the book, “But then, is everyone not his own god?”
Much of the story involves the return of March, who left after having an affair with his brother’s wife. He also has a strange behavior disorder and is trying to come to grips with who he is.
“Still, it was hard to say if his family saw him as having an affliction rather than being an affliction they sometimes had to bear.” P22
If you know the story of Artemis and Apollo, then you understand the tragedy and grief in this book.
“Oh girl, there’s not enough care in the world to keep us all safe.” P214
“Second chances are just a way to assuage our own guilt: I gave them every chance but they f** up again.” P246
I realized several of these quotes were the last lines of chapters. She did a masterful job making the chapters short and ending memorably.
“When people define themselves in comparison to someone else, they become that much more committed tot never changing their minds about that something else.” P276
I don’t know if I realized it was such a parody of Greek mythology Olympus - like Texas people who think they are like gods - Texas bigness
Peter (Zeus) from Jupiter
June (Hera) from Juno
Hap (Hephaestus) also Volcan
March (Mars)
Arlo (Apollo) was Paul but close to Peter
Artie (Artemis)
Thea (Athena)
Vera (Venus)
Ryan (Orion)
For sure, a knowledge of all these characters would enrich the reading of this story and what happens within these pages. When things happened in the book, I referred to mythology explanations. It made it more interesting to me, since I needed a refresher.
This story takes place over a week in modern time in Texas (I lived in Waco and this reminds me of a country town in the area, described as being on the Brazos river). It features a dysfunctional family who has all suffered for each other, with several people not really doing what would help them the most (in their minds to be there for their family). This book really plays with that question of how that serves individuals to live their lives for other people.
The backstories scattered throughout each start with a quote from Ovid, as well as the quote beginning the book, “But then, is everyone not his own god?”
Much of the story involves the return of March, who left after having an affair with his brother’s wife. He also has a strange behavior disorder and is trying to come to grips with who he is.
“Still, it was hard to say if his family saw him as having an affliction rather than being an affliction they sometimes had to bear.” P22
If you know the story of Artemis and Apollo, then you understand the tragedy and grief in this book.
“Oh girl, there’s not enough care in the world to keep us all safe.” P214
“Second chances are just a way to assuage our own guilt: I gave them every chance but they f** up again.” P246
I realized several of these quotes were the last lines of chapters. She did a masterful job making the chapters short and ending memorably.
“When people define themselves in comparison to someone else, they become that much more committed tot never changing their minds about that something else.” P276
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Infidelity
historic_wince's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.25
One of the great things about the gods from ancient Greece is just how human they are. They squabble and hold grudges, play favorites, and could heartlessly cruel. They are complicated beings. Olympus, Texas takes the Greek pantheon and all it's complicated interpersonal relationships and set it within a small town realm, where carelessness and mistakes are no less devastating. Swann carefully updates and edits well known myths into a modern drama. People familiar with the mythology we catch the numerous allusions to other stories not told here. And when it becomes clear which myth we're about to watch be re-enacted, readers will squirm as Greek tragedy demands.
The events of Olympus, Texas take place over one week, told in short snippets from multiple POVs. The characters are complicated and real.
The events of Olympus, Texas take place over one week, told in short snippets from multiple POVs. The characters are complicated and real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
matadyne's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
danersons's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Stalking and Gun violence
erinblue's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I alternated between reading and listening to an audiobook for this one. For what it’s worth, I didn’t see a lot of buzz about this one and one user on IG had wanted to read this with a group of us during this month. Funny enough, one of the main characters has the name of March lol. This is kind of like a slice of life in small town Texas mixed with multi family drama & theatrics throughout. A lot of infidelity, unresolved anger and eyebrow raising actions. I wasn’t one hundred percent moved by this unfortunately. It wasn’t the author’s fault, I just think this could have engaged me more if there was more of a concrete plot tied to this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Cursing
Minor: Death and Blood