Welcome to Litsy!

In this novel, the famed myth of Orpheus is retold through the devastating story of two teenage girls who are sent away to a conversion camp in Texas because their families think of their sexuality as an illness. However, the camp is far from helpful, and only strengthens their bond. It quickly turns into a tale of survival as they struggle with their waning identities and their plan to escape. Continued in the comments.

This is my first read from the Texas Book Challenges List, one of a couple I hope to read & finish over Spring Break. Banning books will not erase the power of any of the books on the list, but instead encourages readers to read & acquire the books in any way they can to discover the stories , while there are those in power seeking to censor. ⚠️Trigger warnings ⚠️ will be at the end of my review ➡️ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4606104984

I was struggling to find a word to describe this book, but then I realized the only way to describe it is haunting. I would have made this book a pick, but the writing style felt choppy as it jumped between past and present. Sometimes I couldn‘t tell which was which. Raya lives in a small town in Texas, not a great for a high school lesbian. When she and her girlfriend Sarah get outed, they get sent to a conversion camp. 3⭐️

Conversion therapy camps are abusive and detrimental to LGBTQ+. You can‘t ‘fix‘ homosexuality. The one depicted in this novel is vile enough to make the main character don the Orpheus persona to travel to the ‘underworld‘ and save her Eurydice. It is told in beautiful prose that will resonate with any queer youth who has felt the pain of unacceptance. Not an easy read, but good for those who need to learn, or others to know they‘re not alone🌈❤️

Because of the subject matter, this was not an easy read. I also don‘t think it is a book for everyone because it feels as if the reader is dropped into the middle of the narrative and the flashbacks don‘t do enough to flesh out these characters.

I had received an ARC for the book and found it hard to get into because it was written in weird vignettes that are not really self-contained. However, listening to the audiobook and learning that ⬇️

I knew it was coming, but it still shredded my heart.

We obviously need more queer representation everywhere, the reality of conversion camps needs to be exposed far and wide, and I love me a good allusion to and retelling of Greek myth. I love the core concept of this book and want a version of this book where the retelling is done more artfully and isn't constantly explicitly referenced, and where the characters and their relationships are less generic and more fleshed out.

This book had a lot of potential, but it didn't quite deliver. My main problem with it was the one dimensional characters, which made the highly emotional and compelling scenes in the book fall flat. This is Brynne Rebele-Henry's debut novel and it reads like it, but she is clearly a talented writer who just needs a bit more practice. Beautiful cover though 😍

This is my March #doublespin pick. I decided to read it first because it is short!

Greek mythology meets 90s Conversion camp. We're reading this for both YA book club and our original book club. It's tough and brutal to read, but it's a subject that we still need to confront, discuss, and change.

A queer novel in the vein of The Miseducation of Cameron Post with mythology vibes.When Raya and Sarah are outed in their small Texas town in the mid 2000s, they're sent to "Friendly Saviors," a facility to "cure" them. Like Orpheus, Raya vows to survive this hell and being her love back with her. Easier said than done, especially in the face of rampant abuse. Painful & heartbreaking, but ultimately a reality many queer people have faced.

Bubble bath reading

1. Orpheus Girl and Don't Read the Comments

2. Patron Saints of Nothing

3. Leaves changing color

#weekendreads

Day 2 of #7days7covers #covercrush

Does my love of this cover have anything to do with mg inability to stop listening to the Hadestown soundtrack? Guess we'll never know.

@Mollyegutman you might enjoy this. Just post about 7 book covers you love in 7 days if you want to join in. No explanations needed, and tag another litten if you can to spread the fun!

1. Dead Astronauts, Polite Society, and Queerbaiting and Fandom

2. Orpheus Girl

3. Sunny, high of 93°

#weekendreads

Well great, thanks Brynne Rebele-Henry, for making me cry on an airplane while sitting next to a stranger. This slim book is not an easy read at all, mostly taking place in a terrifying pray the gay away camp. It‘s haunting and graphic and truly gutting.

Snagged this arc at #ala2019—it‘s a retelling of the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice as two teenager girls in a conservative Texas town. #airportread