amiklitsch 's review for:

After Sappho: A Novel by Selby Wynn Schwartz

3.5

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The vignette/fragment structure of this book is itself an homage to Sappho. I normally love a story told in this format, but these were so short and moved between characters so much that I found to mostly confusing. I do lack a certain amount of background knowledge to really connect with the context of each vignette, which could evoke more emotion than I experienced. However, I don’t know if anyone would have enough context unless you also hold a PhD in comparative lit like Schwartz. 

The prose is both its biggest strength and greatest weakness. Some is rather dry, but there are some beautiful and inspiring entries. Schwartz’s decision to meld biography and fiction is fascinating. She does a great job of creating fictional scenarios that feel realistic to get a point across while maintaining the integrity of the characters. But overall the point of the work gets lost and the narrative is lacking. 

I’d like to read and engage in with more of the media talked about in the book, and then come back to it!