This book follows Psyche as she grows up under the abusive thumb of her film producer father (Zeus). She has a brief affair with a mysterious stranger (Eros). Then she becomes Echo as she dates the self-absorbed film star (Narcissus). Afterward she morphs into Eurydice to be with artistic Orpheus. As she leaves home to find herself, she lands in the dark underworld of society as Persephone, the consort to Hades. After her mother (Demeter) finds her... she starts to alternate living in depravity with Hades and living with in a sea-side cottage with her mother. Eventually Psyche returns to home and works for her father’s girlfriend (Aphrodite). She rediscovers Eros who turns out to be Aphrodite’s son. Psyche then gives birth to Joy and learns to live without “Love as a man,” thus becoming Demeter.
This book is better suited for high school or adult readers. It helps to have some background in Greek mythology before reading the book or the “story” may become “lost in translation.” The free verse/prose format and frank sexual language may not be suited for younger audiences. However, it could promote interesting discussions in a mythology classroom. ( )

Francesca Lia Block has weaved a beautiful prose using the gods and goddesses of ancient Greek myths. This book should be sung.

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 roles of other mythological heroines - Eurydice, Echo, Persephone - as she meets each new lover, who, inevitably, cannot replace Eros. While the verse form doesn't seem to lend itself to this story any better or worse than straight prose, it doesn't detract from it either, and the book is gripping from the first page, enticing you to peek into the life of the young girl as she struggles with her identity and relationships. The book does suffer slightly from the confusing nature of renaming the character periodically, Block does a decent job of disambiguating through recollection of past experiences as the story moves on. And while maybe a bit too erotic for some, Psyche in a Dress is a more than refreshing read for anyone willing to explore teenage sexuality. ( )

I always enjoy Block's style. This liitle book I enjoyed too. Not knowing enough mythology, I didn't "get" this book like I should have. I decided there wasn't a wide enough audience to justify its purchase for the school library, but I was glad to see it at the local public library. ( )

http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/20... ( )