The blurb
When her beloved daughter Kore vanishes, Demeter is distraught. Suspecting betrayal and mistrusting of her family, she searches across the world, unable to come to terms with such a loss. But Demeter is one of the original goddesses of Mount Olympus, and a force not to be underestimated. She is determined that she will find her daughter, even if it means destroying humanity in the process.
Winter Harvest is a brand-new, dark reimagining of the tale of Demeter and Persephone by Greek author Ioanna Papadopoulou. Steeped in lore and with a deep understanding of the many different facets of Demeter’s personality, this retelling will change your perspective on one of the most well-known stories of Greek mythology.
The review
I do love mythology, but I have to say, I’ve slowed up on the Greek variety for quite a while now. I think perhaps I’d overindulged in my teenage years and then I immersed myself in Irish mythology in the years that followed and became obsessed with that.
However, that being said, I do have a soft spot for Greek myths. So, when I saw Ioanna’s book from the viewpoint of Demeter, I jumped at the chance to read it. I have to say, as a way to reacquaint myself with a mythology that I hadn’t read in a while, this novel was absolutely perfect.
Winter Harvest was the perfect choice because it is a classical retelling and stays very close to the original myths. I felt myself remembering much of what I had learned before, but very much enjoying that it came from Demeter’s POV rather than Zeus or Hades.
I also really enjoyed the fact that Ioanna wrote Demeter as a goddess, not as a human character. This allows both the good side of her and the ‘monster side’ to be explored properly.
Because, of course, much of the story revolves around the two pivotal events in her life: being eaten by her father alongside her other siblings – and the kidnapping of her daughter. Both these unhappy events cause great changes within Demeter, but how far she is willing to go to be free and then to find her daughter goes further than I’d expect any human to be capable of.
The writing is beautiful and I flew through the story. I really enjoyed Demeter, her inner thoughts and her interactions with the other gods and goddesses, which shows how the rivalries between them began. The early chapters inside her father’s stomach were riveting too, even though that seems unlikely. How the siblings interact with each other is pivotal though and sets the scene for how they interact later on in the story.
If you are a Greek mythology fan, you will love this novel. If you are like me and perhaps haven’t read much in this area since you studied it at school, this is the perfect novel to reignite your passion.
If you want to know more about Ioanna Papadopoulou, why don’t you read the interview I did with her earlier in the week.