Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Olympus, Texas

A pretty solid modern family drama based off Greek myth. There are a lot of povs in here, and it can get messy to keep track of. But that is fitting for Greek myth. Not my favorite retelling? interpretation?, but it's not bad at all.

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someryarns's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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ashhearddwrites's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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okiecozyreader's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

I’m glad I got to this book for a discussion with Stacey Swann and @lbtheloverofbooks. I’ve had it for a while and it was sitting in my TBR.

I don’t know if I realized it was such a parody of Greek mythology Olympus - like Texas people who think they are like gods - Texas bigness
Peter (Zeus) from Jupiter
June (Hera) from Juno
Hap (Hephaestus) also Volcan
March (Mars)
Arlo (Apollo) was Paul but close to Peter
Artie (Artemis)
Thea (Athena)
Vera (Venus)
Ryan (Orion)

For sure, a knowledge of all these characters would enrich the reading of this story and what happens within these pages. When things happened in the book, I referred to mythology explanations. It made it more interesting to me, since I needed a refresher.

This story takes place over a week in modern time in Texas (I lived in Waco and this reminds me of a country town in the area, described as being on the Brazos river). It features a dysfunctional family who has all suffered for each other, with several people not really doing what would help them the most (in their minds to be there for their family). This book really plays with that question of how that serves individuals to live their lives for other people.

The backstories scattered throughout each start with a quote from Ovid, as well as the quote beginning the book, “But then, is everyone not his own god?”

Much of the story involves the return of March, who left after having an affair with his brother’s wife. He also has a strange behavior disorder and is trying to come to grips with who he is.
“Still, it was hard to say if his family saw him as having an affliction rather than being an affliction they sometimes had to bear.” P22

If you know the story of Artemis and Apollo, then you understand the tragedy and grief in this book.
“Oh girl, there’s not enough care in the world to keep us all safe.” P214

“Second chances are just a way to assuage our own guilt: I gave them every chance but they f** up again.” P246

I realized several of these quotes were the last lines of chapters. She did a masterful job making the chapters short and ending memorably.

“When people define themselves in comparison to someone else, they become that much more committed tot never changing their minds about that something else.” P276

Content Warnings

historic_wince's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

One of the great things about the gods from ancient Greece is just how human they are. They squabble and hold grudges, play favorites, and could heartlessly cruel. They are complicated beings. Olympus, Texas takes the Greek pantheon and all it's complicated interpersonal relationships and set it within a small town realm, where carelessness and mistakes are no less devastating. Swann carefully updates and edits well known myths into a modern drama. People familiar with the mythology we catch the numerous allusions to other stories not told here. And when it becomes clear which myth we're about to watch be re-enacted, readers will squirm as Greek tragedy demands.
The events of Olympus, Texas take place over one week, told in short snippets from multiple POVs. The characters are complicated and real.

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matadyne's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

danersons's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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