Aphrodite

LoveReading Says

Vibrant and visceral, Bryony Pearce’s Aphrodite is a fresh feminist reworking of myths around the goddess of love and beauty — a suitably bold and beautiful book that delves deep into Aphrodite’s origins, and sheds light on lesser-known legends.

The story opens fabulously with Aphrodite emerging from the waves, initially oblivious to her powers — namely, possessing beauty so remarkable, it can make men mad. After being drawn to Olympus, home of vengeful, vindictive power-hungry patriarchal gods, she finds that her unparalleled beauty is a curse, something others want to control and possess.

But she is not to be underestimated. Aphrodite stands tall. She refuses to be a pawn in a game controlled by men. She reduces mighty gods to squabbling fools while converting her “curse” into her most empowering weapon.

At once thoughtful and thought-provoking, fresh and fierce, Aphrodite packs primal punch as it exposes the patriarchy, and dismantles misconceptions around this remarkable goddess. As the book’s strapline goes, “she’s not just a pretty face” — she’s a warrior who can’t be quashed or controlled, and the author does jubilant justice to that in this rip-roaring novel.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
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