The Persephone Myth in Young Adult Fiction - (Bloomsbury Studies in Classical Reception) by Cristina Salcedo González (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Investigating the widespread but understudied presence of the Persephone myth within 21st-century young adult literature, Cristina Salcedo González analyses six young adult novels which incorporate a reworking of this ancient Greek myth. Through the identification of mythic themes ('mythemes') and patterns within these novels, González shows that these works evoke the female life cycle and develop current perceptions of the female maturational experience. As a result, Salcedo González makes an important contribution in establishing the cultural significance of young adult literature in the world of classical reception. These novels, all written by women, also inflect or interpret the myth in ways influenced by their contemporary contexts, specifically the impact of the novels' target readership on the aspects of the myth that are either emphasised (e.g. Persephone's descent into the underworld; her existence there; and her re-ascent) or de-emphasised (e.g. the mourning and wanderings of Demeter).

This book makes original methodological contributions - through its innovative dual perspective of myth criticism and classical reception - to our understanding of the academically neglected genre of young adult literature and the reception of the myth of Persephone. As a result, Salcedo González significantly contributes to establishing the cultural significance of young adult literature within the realm of classical reception.

Review Quotes

"A convincing argument for - and vivid demonstration of - the relevance of Young Adult literature in giving us a full picture of the reception of the ancient world." --Gregory N. Daugherty, Professor Emeritus of Classics, Randolph-Macon College, USA

"[Salcedo González's] contribution to the discussion of the reception of the Persephone myth is valuable because it spotlights YA literature and foregrounds it as being worthy of analysis. YA literature, and YA audiences, tend to not be taken seriously. Salcedo González's special attention to this topic clearly demonstrates how YA literature operates at the same level of cultural importance as the ancient originals. Hopefully her work will inspire future research on the reception of ancient myths in YA literature that consider their place within the wider YA corpus." --Classical Journal

"Salcedo Gonzalez illustrates how study of the ancient story of Persephone resonates even in the most modern of contexts and can provide adolescent readers with another feminine icon ... Recommended [for] all readers." --CHOICE

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