Tuesday, March 1, 2011

So, Seriously. I'm not a teenage girl.

However, if you look at some of the fiction I read you might think so.  I am currently reading the newest Rick Riordan Olympians book, The Lost Hero. I've written about the Percy Jackson series and the movie here before. Honestly, I didn't know there was a new Olympians book, but I am glad he wrote it.  And I like his particular take on the mythology, too.  I do plan to write a more formal review over at the Juggler once I finish reading it. 

I don't want you to think I don't take my religion seriously, because I do.  But I also think there is a place for a bit of whimsy.  I thought to myself if I had been a teenager who discovered that I was a demigod and sent to Camp Half Blood, who's child would I be?  Being a devotee of Persephone I first thought of her, but my image of her is defined so much by her childless status that I don't want to imagine that she's had any demigod children.

And that led me to Demeter.  In the books she is painted as a little one dimensional, at least so far, but Riordan has a way of turning your preconceived notions on their heads as you read the series.  This is why I think they are such a great primer of Greek myths for kids.  I have a feeling this may yet be explored.  She is the overbearing mother of Persephone, which is not untrue.  Her children are good with plants and food and cooking. This may not describe me perfectly, but I am good at recipes.  I can make beer. This is definitely in Demeter's realm.  I love the seasons, which she brings to us.  And that would make me Persephone's sister, which feels more like the devotional relationship I have with her anyway.  She is not my mother, but my mentor. I look up to her and I want to be more like her. 

I would proudly be a child of Demeter. 

5 comments:

  1. Ooh! I have a book recommendation for you. It's a bit heavier reading than Riordan, but SO worth it. I think you would find "Emerging From the Chrysalis" by Bruce Lincoln to be fascinating.

    It has the best breakdown and explanation of the Persephone mythos I've ever read, well supported by linguistic and historic evidence. Bruce Lincoln is one of the most respected historians of religion. The rest of the book also has great stuff about women's initiation rites in various cultures, but the Persephone section was particularly striking.

    Great post, thanks for the reading suggestion!

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  2. Thanks so much for the recommendation! I will definitely add it to my list of books to acquire. Much more appropriate for my reading level, even!

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  3. Also, I'm not sure if you've mentioned this, but "Radiant Darkness" by Emily Whitman is a YA book about Persephone, removing the whole rape and abduction thing.

    Kinda ticked me off a bit, because I have been working on writing a similar story.

    BUT, hers is more based on rebellion whereas mine is based on self-identification.

    And mine is a film script :)

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  4. I have read Radiant Darkness and never got around to a blog post about it. I did enjoy the story, but it was what it was - a teenage romance placed in a mythological setting.

    That being said - I would *love* to hear more about your project. As you describe it, it is right up my alley with how Persephone shows herself to me. Also, I love movies and would enjoy seeing more movies treat the Gods with respect.

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  5. Actually, would you be much interested in helping me bounce ideas? I'm having problems really expressing the relationship between Hades and Persephone I have created. It still seems almost father/daughter-ish, which is clearly not what I'm going for haha

    Email me at g33ksify@gmail.com if you're interested, I'm coming up on the deadline, so I'm working on it constantly :D

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