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101st out of 616 books
—
602 voters
Psyche in a Dress
by
Francesca Lia Block (Goodreads Author)
But this is what
I could not give up:
I could not give up myself
Psyche has known Love--scented with jasmine and tasting of fresh oranges. Yet he is fleeting and fragile, lost to her too quickly. Punished by self-doubt, Psyche yearns to be transformed, like the beautiful and brutal figures in the myths her lover once spoke of. Attempting to uncover beauty in the darkness,...more
I could not give up:
I could not give up myself
Psyche has known Love--scented with jasmine and tasting of fresh oranges. Yet he is fleeting and fragile, lost to her too quickly. Punished by self-doubt, Psyche yearns to be transformed, like the beautiful and brutal figures in the myths her lover once spoke of. Attempting to uncover beauty in the darkness,...more
Hardcover, 116 pages
Published
August 24th 2006
by Joanna Cotler Books
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Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Francesca Lia Block puts her powerful prose to work in this stunningly simple, yet amazingly complex book. We follow a teenaged girl, known as Psyche, throughout her life, which mirrors the stories in several Greek myths.
An actress in her father's odd, violent movies, Psyche considers herself her father's muse, who took over when her mother left. At night, she is visited by Love himself, who tells her that she is Soul. Her lover brings the sound...more
Francesca Lia Block puts her powerful prose to work in this stunningly simple, yet amazingly complex book. We follow a teenaged girl, known as Psyche, throughout her life, which mirrors the stories in several Greek myths.
An actress in her father's odd, violent movies, Psyche considers herself her father's muse, who took over when her mother left. At night, she is visited by Love himself, who tells her that she is Soul. Her lover brings the sound...more
In true FLB form, PSYCHE IN A DRESS packs a raw, sexual, emotional punch via vivid, lush prose, set against the backdrop of Hollywood.
Enter Psyche, in the form of a teenage girl. She stars in her father's brutal films, being mutilated and dying, over and over again. She fancies herself her father's muse, taking over where her mother lapsed after she left the family. In the middle of the night, Psyche is visited by a man called Love, who sounds like the ocean and tastes like citrus, makes love to...more
Enter Psyche, in the form of a teenage girl. She stars in her father's brutal films, being mutilated and dying, over and over again. She fancies herself her father's muse, taking over where her mother lapsed after she left the family. In the middle of the night, Psyche is visited by a man called Love, who sounds like the ocean and tastes like citrus, makes love to...more
This book is basically a dark and modern retelling of the story of Psyche and Eros.
The classical elements of the story were generally correct. However I find it strange (and bothersome) that the author would name Psyche and Eros' child as "Joy" instead of "Hedone" (the child's Greek name) or "Voluptas" (the child's Roman name). Also, "Hedone" and "Voluptas" both mean 'pleasure', not 'joy'. Though I understand that to modern readers, "Joy" may be a better name than "Pleasure".
Nevertheless, the a...more
The classical elements of the story were generally correct. However I find it strange (and bothersome) that the author would name Psyche and Eros' child as "Joy" instead of "Hedone" (the child's Greek name) or "Voluptas" (the child's Roman name). Also, "Hedone" and "Voluptas" both mean 'pleasure', not 'joy'. Though I understand that to modern readers, "Joy" may be a better name than "Pleasure".
Nevertheless, the a...more
Apr 29, 2012
Dawn
added it
Dawn States
Poetry
The short free flowing poetry book Psyche in a Dress is a beautiful, harsh, and descriptive retelling of the famous Greek myth of Psyche and Eros. The book follows the original myth closely, only it is an all new telling. Any fan of the great Greek myths will appreciate this book. Though strange in its construction and telling, the book ultimately makes sense and brings the elements of love, family and self to light.
Imagine the Greek gods and goddesses lived among us in this...more
Poetry
The short free flowing poetry book Psyche in a Dress is a beautiful, harsh, and descriptive retelling of the famous Greek myth of Psyche and Eros. The book follows the original myth closely, only it is an all new telling. Any fan of the great Greek myths will appreciate this book. Though strange in its construction and telling, the book ultimately makes sense and brings the elements of love, family and self to light.
Imagine the Greek gods and goddesses lived among us in this...more
Fransesca Lia Block's book Psyche in a Dress is a very original, unique work. It's written as free-verse poetry, though the entire novel is one complete tale. There is a decided lack of proper grammar - no periods, confused capitalization, and absolutely nothing to designate conversation, but, at the same time, it flows so smoothly. I was never in doubt as to what was occurring, and the language itself was so evocative. There were certain portions of the story which I felt fairly screamed for mu...more
Another one of Francesca Lia Block's mind-bending stories. It annoys me when the book doesn't have a blurb on the back or on the front sleeve. I want to know what this book is about, darn it! It always leaves me wondering a little when I start the book. What is this going to be about? Am I going to enjoy it? Is bacon going to be involved?
But in FLB nature, this is a real FLB book. Poem-styled writing, lots of words I don't understand, and shifts in character development. It wasn't until the end...more
But in FLB nature, this is a real FLB book. Poem-styled writing, lots of words I don't understand, and shifts in character development. It wasn't until the end...more
i’d heard a lot of great things about this book before i read it, so when i started reading and didn’t immediately see the draw i was kind of disappointed. it wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t fantastic. as i got closer to the end, however, and the different aspects of the story started coming together for the final conclusion i really thought to myself, this is a really good book.
the writing style is some kind of poetic, stream of consciousness, almost dreamlike approach that allows the re...more
the writing style is some kind of poetic, stream of consciousness, almost dreamlike approach that allows the re...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Psyche in a Dress is a sexy, emotionally raw novella written in verse form using classical mythology against the backdrop of hollywood. Our heroine is a young actress, used by her father in films, missing her mother who left when she was younger, and connecting to her through the dresses she left behind. When her first lover, Eros, leaves her upon seeing his face, Psyche embarks on a journey to achieve the same happiness she felt with him, always hoping she might win him back. She takes on the r...more
Her books are always interesting to read because of the way that they are written. She doesn’t give a lot of detail about the big things—about everything that is happening, but she gives extreme details about the little things. Like what the main characters mothers wardrobe is like, or how the scent of the flowers filled the air. I find it quite intriguing.
Block is obviously very interested in Greek mythology. It would be of great benefit to the reader if they had some sort of background knowl...more
Block is obviously very interested in Greek mythology. It would be of great benefit to the reader if they had some sort of background knowl...more
This was not what I was expecting - which was a novel based on the Psyche myth. Instead it is a series of interconnected prose poems, with the main character taking on the character of Psyche (or Eurydice, or Persephone, etc.) depending on what was happening at that point in her life. The author uses a mix of realistic, mundane details (the meals she ate, the dresses she wore) and fantastical flights of imagination ("Love" comes to her bed at night, but won't reveal his face; the mother, Demeter...more
I didn't even realize I was in the mood for this type of book until I read it. It's extremely unique, using blank verse instead of the usual paragraphs. I wish I knew more about greek mythology however, as the entire book centered around characters of mythological names and dispositions. A good background in that subject would probably make for a better read. Even without that prior knowledge this book was enjoyable. It's quick and interesting.
This is a quick read based on the relationships between gods and a mortal woman who takes the incarnation of various goddesses. I was familiar with almost all of the myths, so it was a simple enough story to grasp for me. I'm not sure if it would be confusing to those that are not familiar with some Greek mythology. However, I'm probably the only one who was a bit peeved by the use of Eros, the Roman form of Cupid, when all other names used were Greek.
I enjoyed this retelling, and the wonderfull...more
I enjoyed this retelling, and the wonderfull...more
A dark and stereotypically FLB retelling of some of the mythos surrounding Psyche and Eros. Written in typical Block style and with typical Block themes. I don't like this one as much as some of her others. Despite being based on some pretty big source material, the main characters emotional space and responses somehow feel empty, like everyone is going through motions, albeit very poetically. I think the themes of pain and sex and redemption and loss, along with beauty and poetry and pretty dre...more
Originally posted at A Novel Idea
RATING: 3/5
I absolutely love most everything Francesca Lia Block writes. She has this writing style that is entirely unique unto itself, almost more poetry than anything else. It is lyrical and beautiful and so sensory that you can hear touch taste smell see feel everything she writes about. This particular book contains retellings of Greek myths, and having loved her collection of retold fairytales (The Rose and the Beast), I figured I would enjoy this as well....more
RATING: 3/5
I absolutely love most everything Francesca Lia Block writes. She has this writing style that is entirely unique unto itself, almost more poetry than anything else. It is lyrical and beautiful and so sensory that you can hear touch taste smell see feel everything she writes about. This particular book contains retellings of Greek myths, and having loved her collection of retold fairytales (The Rose and the Beast), I figured I would enjoy this as well....more
Ah, Francesca Lia Block...In the conservative little corner of Virginia (which is not in the mountains, nor by the beach, or anything else tourists would be drawn to),her books are harder to come by than a four-leaf clover. So each word from her was, to me, rarer than a fragment of Sappho. I walked around smelling citrus and hyacinth, listening to Jane's Addiction to sustain her luscious nightmare vision of L.A. But, then I got over it.I almost threw away the anthology which contains Psyche in...more
This particular book is about a girl named Psyche. Her movie director father is a tad deranged and her absentee mother leaves only clothes for Psyche to bond with. One night, someone visits Psyche in her room. He calls himself Love and spends many nights with her, asking only that she not look at his face. One night, her doubt ("doubt tastes like sand in the mouth") is too much and she looks at his face. She becomes overwhelmed by his beauty and sends him away. She spends the rest of the book tr...more
I am not one to say that something is inapproproate for teens but this one is. I think it's basically inappropriate for everyone. Sex is fine in a book if it surves some purpose in the storyline or has some meaning. This had no purpose at all and didn't even make sense.
This story basically is incomprehensible unless you already know the whole storyline. But if I already know the whole storyline what is the point of reading this book?
Plus, trying to put the stories in the modern world doesn't wor...more
This story basically is incomprehensible unless you already know the whole storyline. But if I already know the whole storyline what is the point of reading this book?
Plus, trying to put the stories in the modern world doesn't wor...more
Please help save Francesca's home so she does not lose it! sign this petition!!!
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I hardly feel equal to ever writing any reviews for Francesca Lia Block's books. How do you write something that does justice to her divine poetry and prose?
Psyche in a Dress is a poetry novel about a young woman trying to find her place. Filled with Francesca Lia Block's trademark mix of magic and reality, and glowing words and images, it sweeps you along for an emotional ri...more
http://www.change.org/petitions/save-...#
I hardly feel equal to ever writing any reviews for Francesca Lia Block's books. How do you write something that does justice to her divine poetry and prose?
Psyche in a Dress is a poetry novel about a young woman trying to find her place. Filled with Francesca Lia Block's trademark mix of magic and reality, and glowing words and images, it sweeps you along for an emotional ri...more
One of the qualities I've long loved about Block is that she writes books for teens that happen to make even more sense to adult readers, yet still come out at the top of the pile for teens, too. What disappointed me with this one is how some of the amazing meta-y, literary, experienced-adult-reader stuff that made this one awesome might have been the same things that lost me as a teen reader. So, I really liked it as an adult, but can't overlook that I want to be able to wholeheartedly recommen...more
Dark. Emotional. Moody. This book reminded me of the style that Romeo + Juliet (with Leonardo diCaprio) and Moulin Rouge were done in: kind of strange. It worked, though. The atmosphere that was only enhanced by the use of poetry definitely affected me as the reader. It was hard to put it down. I was drawn into Psyche's story and I wanted to know how it ended.
This book definitely doesn't dumb things down for young adults or teenagers. It's very mature in that it attacks things seriously. I liked...more
This book definitely doesn't dumb things down for young adults or teenagers. It's very mature in that it attacks things seriously. I liked...more
Dec 20, 2011
Sonatajessica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those with a heart for myths and poetry
Shelves:
once-upon-a-time,
read-in-2011
Beautiful.
Dark, compelling, monstrous beauty but beauty nevertheless.
Following a young girl through her life, through her loves, we discover the Greek mythology. As a mirror those stories and legends are in her life, in most women's lives, are webbed under it. Some interesting yet familiar lessons can be discovered here.
The verse-like prose is light and powerful like the wing's of a butterfly and absolutely fitting the storyline.
I loved the metaphors used in this re-imagining, Zeus as a Hollywo...more
Dark, compelling, monstrous beauty but beauty nevertheless.
Following a young girl through her life, through her loves, we discover the Greek mythology. As a mirror those stories and legends are in her life, in most women's lives, are webbed under it. Some interesting yet familiar lessons can be discovered here.
The verse-like prose is light and powerful like the wing's of a butterfly and absolutely fitting the storyline.
I loved the metaphors used in this re-imagining, Zeus as a Hollywo...more
This novel is written in free-stule prose, and the style just enhances the story. As told in mythology, Psyche is the young mortal woman who falls in love with Cupid. In mythology and this story, Cupid is not a little brat in diapers. He is a powerful and mischievous Greek god who is simply trying to experience love at firsthand. This book is a clever take on the original story of Cupid and Psyche, for the protagonist also experiences moments and feelings as other familiar female leads of the Gr...more
This was a book I bought for the fun of it. It was writen unlike any other book I read. It was weird and different. I absolutely loved it. The events that happened were rather sexual but not offensive. It would be good if you had a good knowledge of the Greek Gods before you read it. It's ok if you dont. I found I was not able to put it down once I started reading. I loved how once there was a new character there was a short chapter about their life before they met Psyche. It was sad at some par...more
I read this today on the floor of the bookstore peddling it, and i couldn't put it down~ Though perhaps slightly contrived, I found the mythical lens through which the story was presented absolutely fascinating. It was a little disconcerting at first and i might have had to read the first couple chapters repeatedly but hey! I liked it, what can i say?
My only gripe would have to be the ending, i'm not sure i found the whole part with the child and her lover to be necessary. The book could have en...more
My only gripe would have to be the ending, i'm not sure i found the whole part with the child and her lover to be necessary. The book could have en...more
I really liked how this book goes through the different greek myths. How the main character is Psyche but also Echo, Eurydice, and Persephone. I love how it shows the life of a women goes through all those stages. We play many different roles. We are all goddesses, it just may take sometime to realize it. Maybe it's just me but it kind of seems like Joy's lover is Marilyn Manson. And the whole Orpheus and Maenad reminds me of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. Maybe I'm the only one that sees that....more
I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. It's novella length and is definately surreal. But it hits on so many themes, so many myths and takes you through the endless cycles of love and life. It not told linearly and I think that very much plays to the narrative's favor.
This is not light reading, even though the book is short. This will make you think, and in the very best of ways. I refuse to say more because I don't want to give anything away.
So, to recap: Amazing book retelling Greek/Roman myth...more
This is not light reading, even though the book is short. This will make you think, and in the very best of ways. I refuse to say more because I don't want to give anything away.
So, to recap: Amazing book retelling Greek/Roman myth...more
"When your mothers tell you to love and appreciate your body it isn’t just to get you to shut up. They know that when you are old you are going to feel exactly the same way inside that you do now. We try on different dresses, different selves, but our souls are always the same- ongoing, full of light."
Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block is a wisp of a book. The story centres around a girl who lives out Greek myths, becoming each of the different characters throughout her life, Echo, Eurydi...more
Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block is a wisp of a book. The story centres around a girl who lives out Greek myths, becoming each of the different characters throughout her life, Echo, Eurydi...more
Jan 23, 2009
Jaemi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
francesca lia block fans, greek mytholgy fans
Psyche loses her first love to self-doubt, sure that she can’t be enough for a god. After he leaves, she sets about punishing herself in hopes of getting him back. She travels through Orpheus, Hades, her mother, Demeter. Eventually, she moves back home to work for her stepmother, who is fond of turning her into flowers and other things with which to make her dresses. But even Aphrodite can see how Psyche suffers, and one day brings her a book. A book so much like her life that she writes the aut...more
When I was in high school, I edited a zine of sorts. It was mostly comprised of teenage confessional poetry, the kind that prominently features rain and heartbreak and slashed wrists. People were always on me about improving the quality, being more selective about the contributions, elevating the tone. I knew full well that the zine mostly sucked, and yet I had no desire to improve it. I felt that these crappy, clichéd, maudlin outpourings of adolescent angst were just as vital, if not more so,...more
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Francesca Lia Block was born in Los Angeles to a poet and a painter, their creativity an obvious influence on her writing. Another influence was her childhood love of Greek mythology and fairy tales.
She has lived in the city all her life, and still resides there with her daughter, Jasmine Angelina (about whom she wrote her book Guarding the Moon), her son Samuel Alexander, and her two dogs: a spr...more
More about Francesca Lia Block...
She has lived in the city all her life, and still resides there with her daughter, Jasmine Angelina (about whom she wrote her book Guarding the Moon), her son Samuel Alexander, and her two dogs: a spr...more
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“He smells like night-blooming flowers
Crushed, juicy petals on the pillows
His voice is full of ocean
Humming like the surf
He kneels before me like I am his goddess
He is a god”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
Crushed, juicy petals on the pillows
His voice is full of ocean
Humming like the surf
He kneels before me like I am his goddess
He is a god”
Feb 09, 2012 02:40pm