Book Reviews

By Jennifer Saint
5/9/23
304 pages
$28.99
Flatiron Books

‘Atalanta’ 

In my head, there’s a whole interwoven universe of feminist mythological retellings. Like a Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for ancient stories badly in need of a revival. Next up in this wide and wonderful series of stories is perhaps the greatest heroine in all of Greek mythology, the incredible Atalanta. 

Born an unwanted daughter of a king and left to die as a result, the wild and free Atalanta grew up under the care of a mother bear and the goddess Artemis, who gave her the kind of freedom most other women could only dream of — at a price, of course. Atalanta becomes something unique in a world built for men, a woman who embraces her femininity while also going toe to toe with every male hero she meets. 

This incredibly beautiful retelling of an ancient, inspiring myth is everything I want in a historical story — action-packed, heartfelt, accurate and startlingly relevant. Jennifer Saint is a master storyteller, and I can’t imagine anyone imbuing this tale with more care and precision. Don’t let this incredible story stay forgotten; it’s too good to miss. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By Chana Porter
4/18/23
384 pages
$27.99
Gallery/Saga Press

‘The Thick and the Lean’

It used to be that dystopian novels that take things to seemingly fantastical extremes were simply meant as allegories, a lesson and a warning wrapped in the shape of a far-fetched future. And yet these days a future in which a fascist, religious extremist government controls arbitrary aspects of individual lives seems less unrealistic and a little more horrifyingly prescient. 

Beatrice grew up in a culture in which pleasure from food was strictly forbidden. Every calorie counted, every bite scrutinized. Her secret love of cooking and her joy in eating threatens to upend her entire life, until she discovers a book that will change everything. Parallel to Beatrice’s story, Reiko is a brilliant student caught in a classist net with only a few bad choices left — until she, too, finds the same book and takes control of her life in dramatic fashion.

Issues of class, body-shaming, misogyny, racism and more weave through this thought-provoking and powerful story that ends on an uncertain note, leaving room for interpretation and reflection in the best way. Haunting and exhilarating. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich