This novel is probably the most intriguing of those I’ve read about father-daughter relationships. Miranda and her stand-offish father live on a tiny island in Maine. Her mother died when Miranda was very young. The dad seems cruel at first, but this story is really about how Miranda grows to understand and appreciate him. Life for both is quiet on the island, but things change for Miranda when her dad finds her a job in New York City, a place he himself once lived.

The author refers to parts of Ovid’s Metamorphosis because the father’s job, within the story, was to translate this work. At first, I felt a little lost, not being big on mythology nor having read Ovid’s work. However, the mythology itself was treated lightly and wove its way into Miranda’s thoughts quite beautifully so I wasn’t put off by it after all.

There were two things that bothered me about this book, though. One was that two relationships in which Miranda engaged seemed somewhat thrust upon the story rather than emerging naturally. The other situation that bewildered me was that one character was just left dangling at the end!

Nevertheless, the overall mood of the story, that of melancholy and loneliness, seemed to just carry me along. I like that Miranda felt comfortable enough with her loneliness that it helped her to make personal choices in her favor. I think that’s a nice message. ( )

I saw this cover on a blog devoted to book covers. It is one of several covers. I loved the cover. While at my public library I saw the book. I am so glad that I read it. It is hard to believe this is her first novel. The story has "coming of age" intertwined with loneliness. She literally grows up on an island off the coast of Maine. It is also a book about how we develop our sexuality. ( )

coming of age, maine, new york city, ovid, novel, lesbian, island, ovid ( )

A charming debut novel, about Miranda Donnal as she comes to know both herself and her eccentric father Peter. Deeper than its slim size would suggest, the book contains allusions to both Shakespeare's Tempest and tales from Ovid's Metamorphoses, which Peter has spent all of Miranda's life translating. Being a mythology geek, I really enjoyed some of the paralles Miranda drew between the tales she learned from her father and the people & events in her life. Overall, this is a genuine coming-of-age story that feels both modern and timeless. ( )

I started reading this book as the train was taking me to a long awaited holiday. I hoped it would be an easy read but it took me by surprise.
The novel is full of hidden meanings and it is a story that seems followed by a cloud of sadness. The atmosphere is gloomy and it isn't at all the funny novel that you would expect when you read the title.
The daughter of a classical literature passionate, Miranda leaves on a journey of initiation to the city of all possibilities - New York - a city full of her father's hidden youth secrets but also of unexpected perspectives for the young girl who had spent had childhood almost inside of Ovid's Metamorhosis on a savage island in Maine. Miranda goes through the transformations of adolescence in a city that offers her more than she would have wanted. the greatest discovery, however, will be the love she has for her father and the permanent need to go back to her origins. ( )