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    Psyche in a Dress
    Psyche in a Dress
    Psyche in a Dress
    Ebook92 pages58 minutes

    Psyche in a Dress

    By Francesca Lia Block

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    But this is what
    I could not give up:
    I could not give up myself

    Psyche has known Love—scented with jasmine and tasting of fresh oranges. Yet he is fleeting and fragile, lost to her too quickly. Punished by self-doubt, Psyche yearns to be transformed, like the beautiful and brutal figures in the myths her lover once spoke of. Attempting to uncover beauty in the darkness, she is challenged, tested, and changed by the gods and demons who tempt her. Her faith must be found again, for if she is to love, she must never look back.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperTeen
    Release dateOct 13, 2009
    ISBN9780061757020
    Psyche in a Dress
    Author

    Francesca Lia Block

    Francesca Lia Block, winner of the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Award, is the author of many acclaimed and bestselling books, including Weetzie Bat; the book collections Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books and Roses and Bones: Myths, Tales, and Secrets; the illustrated novella House of Dolls; the vampire romance novel Pretty Dead; and the gothic werewolf novel The Frenzy. Her work is published around the world.

    Read more from Francesca Lia Block

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    Reviews for Psyche in a Dress

    3.5/5

    146 ratings17 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Lovely modern-day variation on the PSYCHE/EROS story. Poetic and haunting.
    • 5/5
      An exploration of love and self-discovery using modernized myths set in Los Angeles, CA.Not being a huge fan of most poetry, an entire novella in free verse kinda made me nervous, but I loved Psyche in a Dress! The pages practically turned themselves, and when I reached the end I wanted to flip back to the beginning and read it all over again. Psyche's story was based on mythology, yet somehow portrayed the very real experiences of first love, heartbreak, finding oneself, and the life-changing power of the parent-child relationship. The ending was...beautiful.Recommended to mature young adult readers, because there was heavy subject matter, current fans of Block's work, and anyone else looking for a unique retelling of modern myths, including Psyche and Eros, Narcissus and Echo, and Persephone, Demeter and Hades.4.5 stars
    • 3/5
      I'm not entirely sure what I thought of this. I think this is the first time I've tried anything by Francesca Lia Block, and it just sort of caught my eye. It's quite powerful, powerful images and an interesting way of retelling several different mythical stories.

      It's made up of poetry, mostly, and some prose. It's a very fast read if it sounds interesting to you -- but I'm still not sure what I think, having stared at the screen for a while trying to put together a more incisive review.
    • 3/5
      In true FLB form, PSYCHE IN A DRESS packs a raw, sexual, emotional punch via vivid, lush prose, set against the backdrop of Hollywood.

      Enter Psyche, in the form of a teenage girl. She stars in her father's brutal films, being mutilated and dying, over and over again. She fancies herself her father's muse, taking over where her mother lapsed after she left the family. In the middle of the night, Psyche is visited by a man called Love, who sounds like the ocean and tastes like citrus, makes love to her, and tells her stories of the old Gods. He comes to her ever night, under one condition: she must not turn on a light. But under the advisement of her half-sisters, Psyche lights a candle, and find a beautiful god of a man in her bed. Is beauty monstrous? Psyche banishes her lover because of some serious self-esteem issues.

      We follow her through the rest of her life as she tries to win him back. Through the course of her journey we meet Persephone, Orpheus, Narcissus, Eurydice, Aphrodite, Hades, and Demeter. Psyche outs herself through physically and emotionally grueling relationships, sometimes to the point of abuse (Hades, in the form of Marilyn Manson.) All of this in the name of Love (Eros.)

      The story is written in delicious free verse -- which I believe is Francesca Lia Block's strength. Through sparse words, vivid, luscious, colorful imagery comes to life. The salt spray of the ocean on your lips, the heady scent of the fields of poppies, the crunching of gravel under hooves, your moth wings shredded to dust. It's beautiful.

      The ending -- full of self-love, healing, and joy -- is perfect and uplifting. We watch Psyche become Persephone, Eurydice, Demeter. It's a perfect full-circle ending.

      PSYCHE IN A DRESS, and 113 pages is a quick, engaging read, and like most FLB books, written beautifully and colorfully. It contains mature themes (it is FLB, though) but nothing to vivid. Definitely a recommended read.
    • 3/5
      When I was in high school, I edited a zine of sorts. It was mostly comprised of teenage confessional poetry, the kind that prominently features rain and heartbreak and slashed wrists. People were always on me about improving the quality, being more selective about the contributions, elevating the tone. I knew full well that the zine mostly sucked, and yet I had no desire to improve it. I felt that these crappy, clichéd, maudlin outpourings of adolescent angst were just as vital, if not more so, than the smaller number of truly talented submissions we printed. I believed that not only did they give the writer a much-needed outlet, but they told other kids that they were not alone.
      'Psyche in a Dress' has something of that feel of teenage group therapy about it. As poetry, it’s not much of a success, surprising from a writer whose prose is so lyrical. Perhaps the poetry of Weetzie Bat or The Hanged Man succeeds because it is grounded in the narrative, and flows with the characters and the plot, whereas Psyche feels much too abstract to be effective.
      That being said, I believe that this, too, is an important book, and can’t be judged strictly in terms of its technical merits. Block is attempting to give a rootless generation a life-saving infusion of mythology, stories to help and to heal. And as such, it has to appear in the form of a poem: mythology delivered as poetry has a ritual force that not even the most poetic prose can approximate.
      Where her better-known Weetzie Bat novels paint a picture of a sunny fairyland filled with promise, Psyche delves instead into the dark underside, into a world filled with demons, vengeful goddesses, and self-destructive heroines. It tackles body image, bad relationships, the vacuousness of western culture, poor role models, broken homes, drug use – everything a young woman faces in the world, punk rock diva or not. It’s the work of a woman who has emerged from the other side of despair, sadder but wiser, and as such provides an invaluable story for an entire generation of American girls looking for a path out of the darkness. For all its sorrow, Psyche is Block’s most hopeful, and possibly useful, book yet.
    • 3/5
      In true FLB form, PSYCHE IN A DRESS packs a raw, sexual, emotional punch via vivid, lush prose, set against the backdrop of Hollywood.

      Enter Psyche, in the form of a teenage girl. She stars in her father's brutal films, being mutilated and dying, over and over again. She fancies herself her father's muse, taking over where her mother lapsed after she left the family. In the middle of the night, Psyche is visited by a man called Love, who sounds like the ocean and tastes like citrus, makes love to her, and tells her stories of the old Gods. He comes to her ever night, under one condition: she must not turn on a light. But under the advisement of her half-sisters, Psyche lights a candle, and find a beautiful god of a man in her bed. Is beauty monstrous? Psyche banishes her lover because of some serious self-esteem issues.

      We follow her through the rest of her life as she tries to win him back. Through the course of her journey we meet Persephone, Orpheus, Narcissus, Eurydice, Aphrodite, Hades, and Demeter. Psyche outs herself through physically and emotionally grueling relationships, sometimes to the point of abuse (Hades, in the form of Marilyn Manson.) All of this in the name of Love (Eros.)

      The story is written in delicious free verse -- which I believe is Francesca Lia Block's strength. Through sparse words, vivid, luscious, colorful imagery comes to life. The salt spray of the ocean on your lips, the heady scent of the fields of poppies, the crunching of gravel under hooves, your moth wings shredded to dust. It's beautiful.

      The ending -- full of self-love, healing, and joy -- is perfect and uplifting. We watch Psyche become Persephone, Eurydice, Demeter. It's a perfect full-circle ending.

      PSYCHE IN A DRESS, and 113 pages is a quick, engaging read, and like most FLB books, written beautifully and colorfully. It contains mature themes (it is FLB, though) but nothing to vivid. Definitely a recommended read.
    • 5/5
      Absolutely beautiful in a thought provoking way. Each time I re-read this book I find something different, and take away something new. It's an incredible read for fans of Greek mythology, epic tales and poetry.
    • 5/5
      Psyche, seventeen, abandoned by her mother, used only as an actress by her father, has never known Love - until he climbs through her window one night. The two become lovers, even though Psyche has never seen Love's face. But one night she chooses to reveal his true form, and, tormented by self-doubt, Psyche chases Love away forever. She yearns to be transformed as the women in the ancient Greek myths were, and embarks on a journey through Hell and mythology to discover herself and find her true Love once again.What verse novels lack in details, they more than make up in lyricism. Francesca Lia Block's Psyche in a Dress is no exception. Her writing and the story are unique, creative, dark, insightful, raw, engrossing, heartbreaking - in short, the makings of an amazing novel. I started this book thinking it would be just a retelling of the tale of Cupid and Psyche + modern high school drama. What I got was so much more. Psyche in a Dress transcends both of these expectations. It covers multiple dramatic Greek love tales (in fact, a basic understanding of Greek mythology is almost essential to completely understanding the plot) as Psyche morphs from Psyche (of course) to Echo, Eurydice, Persephone, Demeter, and herself. Modern high school drama? There's none. Instead, you get exploitative father-daughter relationships, masochistic dating, slave driving employers, and mothers who just want what's best for their children.I also started reading Psyche in a Dress thinking that I'd read half of it one night and half of it another. I read it straight through, non-stop, and never even thought of putting it down. The story, in all its simplicity and darkness, is that engrossing - you just completely lose yourself in it. Also, by the ending of the novel I was about to cry, and that's extremely rare for me and books. High emotions and I don't get along well, but we were beginning to here.
    • 5/5
      I've been a huge fan of Block's for years now, however, I haven't been impressed with a few of her most recent works, especially "Pretty Dead." I felt that her writing had just lost it's magic. I used to devour her books in one sitting but it's been harder and harder to get through them. Psyche in a Dress took me back to those days when I would eagerly snap up anything she wrote. This is a modern re-telling of the Greek myth of Psyche and is full of Block's lyrical and lush writing. Written as a narrative poem, Block tells the story of damaged young Psyche and her life in modern-day Los Angeles. Like most of Block's previous novels, I hated to see this one end!
    • 4/5
      This is a highly unconventional little book. Using Greek myths and characters, it tells the story of a young woman raised by dysfunctional Hollywood parents. Block uses evocative, poetic language to describe both whimsy and horror. At first I thought it was very pretentious, but that impression didn't last long as I was swept up by the beautiful language and unusual story.I found this on the sale table in the teen section. I've always considered YA books to be aimed at teens, but in this case I think this book is really is adult. Not just because of the dysfunctional sex, and drug use, but because of all the allusions to Greek myths and also the emotions of motherhood. I wouldn't have a problem with a mature teen reading it, but I just don't think they'd appreciate it. Anyway, I liked it.Recommended for: people who like retellings of myths and fairy tales, people who like urban fantasy, people looking for something interesting and different.
    • 5/5
      An interesting book that is prose but reads like poetry. It follows Psyche through her life interposing it upon Greek myths. She begins starring in her fathers violent and explicit films. A victim of abuse she finds it hard to let herself be loved. She makes her own choices, but these are not always the best ones and she loses her main love when she listens to the advice of others.The tale comes full circle as she later has a daughter of her own and watches her make the same choices she did. It's like she is following her own footsteps through life, but she has to let her daughter go her own way like she did.Mature themes and concepts, this is a short read but one that will stay with me for a long time. I love that she blends in the mythological aspects which is an interest of mine. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. I wonder if any of her novel mirrors her life as some of the characters reminded me very strongly of certain famous people.
    • 4/5
      I found this a beautiful and lyrical tale, and enjoyed the modern myth. It shares lessons about life and growing up, the experience of love and growing old. A very worthwhile read.
    • 5/5
      Francesca Lia Block has provided us with a romantically dark look at sensuality and sexuality with the book Psyche in a Dress and uses characters from Greek mythology to do it. It is a very erotic book even though there is no gratutious sex, and as one reads it they cannot help but feel the love and heartbreak that the main character feels as the story progresses. Someone unfamiliar with Greek mythology might be confused by this story and the style is not for everyone, but all in all it is an amazing book that most any female would enjoy reading.
    • 2/5
      This book follows Psyche as she grows up under the abusive thumb of her film producer father (Zeus). She has a brief affair with a mysterious stranger (Eros). Then she becomes Echo as she dates the self-absorbed film star (Narcissus). Afterward she morphs into Eurydice to be with artistic Orpheus. As she leaves home to find herself, she lands in the dark underworld of society as Persephone, the consort to Hades. After her mother (Demeter) finds her... she starts to alternate living in depravity with Hades and living with in a sea-side cottage with her mother. Eventually Psyche returns to home and works for her father’s girlfriend (Aphrodite). She rediscovers Eros who turns out to be Aphrodite’s son. Psyche then gives birth to Joy and learns to live without “Love as a man,” thus becoming Demeter.This book is better suited for high school or adult readers. It helps to have some background in Greek mythology before reading the book or the “story” may become “lost in translation.” The free verse/prose format and frank sexual language may not be suited for younger audiences. However, it could promote interesting discussions in a mythology classroom.
    • 4/5
      Psyche in a Dress is a sexy, emotionally raw novella written in verse form using classical mythology against the backdrop of hollywood. Our heroine is a young actress, used by her father in films, missing her mother who left when she was younger, and connecting to her through the dresses she left behind. When her first lover, Eros, leaves her upon seeing his face, Psyche embarks on a journey to achieve the same happiness she felt with him, always hoping she might win him back. She takes on the roles of other mythological heroines - Eurydice, Echo, Persephone - as she meets each new lover, who, inevitably, cannot replace Eros. While the verse form doesn't seem to lend itself to this story any better or worse than straight prose, it doesn't detract from it either, and the book is gripping from the first page, enticing you to peek into the life of the young girl as she struggles with her identity and relationships. The book does suffer slightly from the confusing nature of renaming the character periodically, Block does a decent job of disambiguating through recollection of past experiences as the story moves on. And while maybe a bit too erotic for some, Psyche in a Dress is a more than refreshing read for anyone willing to explore teenage sexuality.
    • 3/5
      I always enjoy Block's style. This liitle book I enjoyed too. Not knowing enough mythology, I didn't "get" this book like I should have. I decided there wasn't a wide enough audience to justify its purchase for the school library, but I was glad to see it at the local public library.
    • 4/5
      It wasn't as easy to jump into as the Weetzie Bat books, but it had a really interesting depth to it. I really enjoyed her unique perspective on myth.

    Book preview

    Psyche in a Dress - Francesca Lia Block

    Psyche

    I am not a goddess

    I am my father’s

    My father had me mutilated twice

    He had my mother and sisters murdered more than once

    but he has never killed me off

    sometimes I think he only gave me life

    so I could be his muse, his actress

    They say he does things with me

    to work through issues he had with my mother

    I look just like her in the early films but

    now she is gone

    In the first film I had to take off my top

    I stood there, shivering

    with my hands covering my breasts

    as the cameras were rolling

    A million caterpillars crawled over my bones

    and my stomach was filled with the wings of dying moths

    But I knew what I had to do

    I am an actress

    I am my father’s

    I do my job

    It was easier after that

    I got used to all the crew watching

    My father watching

    People said that I was odd-looking

    not the typical face you see

    but my father tells me I am perfect, just what he wants

    My father says

    "These actors, they try to do too much

    You know how to just be

    Don’t try to do anything else

    You are an actress

    My princess"

    I live with my father

    in a dirty-white mansion

    made of the bones and teeth of actors

    It has been the scene of many atrocities

    in my father’s films

    There are crumbling columns in front

    and a dining room we never use

    with a giant chandelier from which

    one of my father’s characters hung herself

    There is a huge tiled pool

    surrounded by crumbling, headless, limbless statues

    ficus trees entwined with morning glories

    beds of calla lilies

    and oleander bushes

    I can see the pool from my window

    empty

    my father rarely fills it with water

    It was used for a drowning in another film

    I have a large room

    with a large bed draped in diaphanous fabrics

    I have my own bathroom with a sunken tub and a view

    through glass walls

    of my private, somewhat overgrown rose garden

    peeling white iron chairs and mossy fountains

    I have a walk-in closet of my mother’s designer clothes

    In one interview I read

    my mother said that she sold her soul for that wardrobe

    A black satin-trimmed smoking jacket and trousers

    a white satin-trimmed smoking jacket and matching satin

    skirt, a golden pleated chiffon Grecian gown, a golden

    sweater covered with gemstones, a white silk wrap

    dress covered with giant red peonies, a pink suit with a

    short jacket and skirt, shift dresses in white, black, red

    sapphire, emerald and tangerine silk or satin, some

    with large bows in back, piles of cashmere sweaters in

    lipstick colors, some with silk flowers from obis

    appliquéd on them, and many, many shoes

    When my mother left us, she took only a black suit

    a pair of jeans, a red silk blouse

    her jewels and five pairs of the shoes

    Sometimes I lie awake at night

    wondering how she chose them

    I knew which ones they were

    because I knew her wardrobe better than she did:

    black leather riding boots

    black lizard pumps

    strappy golden sandals

    ruby red flats

    emerald green satin dancing shoes with ankle straps

    I was so jealous of those shoes

    Sometimes I put on one of the dresses

    light candles

    and dance with my mother’s shadow

    Most of the time, at night, I use only candles in my room

    waiting for her to come back

    Even a wraith is better than nothing

    even a silhouette on the wall

    My father’s new girlfriend, Aphrodite

    wanted to be the star of his film

    and he wouldn’t replace me

    Once I heard him saying to her, "She’s seventeen!

    She’s seventeen!

    What do you expect?"

    Enraging her even more

    They screamed at each other all night

    Until the chandelier shattered

    And a thousand swallows flew through the open window

    whirring their wings

    In the morning she was gone

    but she was not finished

    One night I was lying in my bed

    wearing an antique cotton nightgown

    white as a bride

    My father was out drinking with his producer

    It was completely dark

    Not even the candles were lit

    I could have been

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