The Breath of Juno: A Novel

by Beverly Olevin

This novel is a contemporary thriller that weaves a tale around myth, ritual and immortality. Magical realism and suspense are blended in this modern story where ordinary people are swept into the path of extraordinary events. The Breath of Juno is a heroine's journey in the tradition of Joseph Campbell. This haunting and compelling story reveals a unique prophecy at the dawn of the new century.

254 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Beverly Olevin's most recent book is the true-life novella "A Friend of the Family." Novels include the KIRKUS award-winning novel "The Good Side of Bad," and "The Breath of Juno." Her short fiction has been published in literary magazines across the country, and includes the collection "Little Lies and Serious Indiscretions." Her short story, The Gypsy Moon, was featured in Ms. Magazine. Beverly's play Soundings was produced at the Odyssey Theatre and was a Los Angeles Times critics pick. The World Premiere of her play The Green Room was presented at Theatre Forty 40 in Beverly Hills. She also has numerous non-fiction publications.

In 2008, she was Artist-in-Residence for UCLA Extension Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She teaches courses in Acting and Theatre at UCLA and at the University of Washington. Beverly directs plays in Los Angeles including the award-winning The Manor at Greystone Mansion, which has been running for 14 years. She wrote and directed the short dramatic film Fallout in 2008.

Beverly was honored as "Distinguished Instructor for 2010" by UCLA Extension to recognize her "exemplary teaching, consistent excellence, and acts of professional and personal generosity that foster learning and discovery among her students."

Her non-fiction publications have sold over a million copies worldwide. Her background also includes work as an Associate Director with the California State Universities and as an Academic Director in Oxford, England. She has an undergraduate degree from UCLA and an MFA from Trinity University, and is listed in Poets & Writers. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Marc and her scamp dog Mija.

Reviews

[ariestess · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating book! I honestly don't remember where the hell I found this book, but I'm really glad I did. I literally read this in about 4hrs or so, over the course of 4 nights before bed.

This is the kind of book I want to write, to be completely honest. There is a simplicity to the plot, but it's not a "stupid" book. There's a lot of information given in this book, but you don't necessarily realize it until it's done.

I was completely sucked into Aeron's life: her nightmares, her solitude, her Shadows. I wanted to know more about her, and felt a lot of the same emotions that Aeron did as she learned more and more about her life and her destiny.

I admit to a certain knee-jerk reaction to the whole "Millenium starts on 1 January 2000" thing, but that's really a minor thing in the grand scheme of this story. That it was a turn of the millenium story dealing with similar themes that the whole 2012 Mayan prophecy has was definitely a strong pull for me.

And is it wrong that I want to be involved in something like the Society of Juno?

[Marc Olevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it was first out in the 1990's. Last year I picked it up again to just read the first page ... ended up reading it all over again. Great to revisit all the vital characters and engaging story. Glad I found it again.