This is an oddity. Ms. Block abides the subtitle to the letter: this isn't a guide to myths, it's a guide to the individuals and couples in your life, drawing commonalities to mythical creatures in hopes of illuminating attractions, difficulties and longings in various pairings. I found it slightly psychologically helpful, but mainly just delightful, to be diagnosed as a Giantess, and then to learn about the implications of my match to a Giant man; so too is it a pleasure to identify the mythical types and pairings in my circle of friends: a Dryad and a Vampire, a Mermaid and an Merman.

"Wood Nymph Seeks Centaur" would make a sweet gift to a friend on the dating market; its learned yet effervescent tone inspires reflection and action. For fans of the writer, it's also a touchingly frank glimpse into the personal fears and dreams of a writer who is uniquely attuned to those of her characters and to the mythical origins of many of her novels. Oui, this is a dating guide and personality quiz for grownups.