Cupid: A Tale of Love and Desire by Julius Lester
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Sep.02, 2008, under Adult Read, Fantasy, Romance, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Anyone – teens or adults – who appreciates mythology, especially the story of Cupid and Psyche. If you just want a good romance, this book would also fill the bill.
Why? Julius Lester is a superb storyteller. In Cupid, he takes one of the best love stories of all times and gives the reader the treat of being told the story by a storyteller. The narrator of the book is a storyteller, and at times he interjects brief anecdotes from his life and at times addresses “the story” directly. Though some readers might find these asides distracting, I found them amusing and though-provoking. Whether or not you like this narrative complexity, the story of the gods is fantastic. Cupid’s jealous mother Venus, the exquisitely beautiful princess Psyche, and the ultimate “player,” Cupid, are the main characters. Many lesser gods, both Greek and Roman, are well-drawn and endearing characters. I love this book and recommend it highly.
The details: 208 p. 2007
