Psykhe (Kate Forsyth, Vintage)

Kate Forsyth’s latest historical fiction, Psykhe, adds to her substantial body of work (The Crimson Thread, Bitter Greens) as it reimagines the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche. In the novel, Psykhe’s act of reviving a sacrificed dove earns her the ongoing wrath of the goddess Venus. Rescued from her own impending sacrifice, she finds herself in luxurious isolation, believing she is with Eros, who restricts their encounters to darkness. In a bid for freedom, Psykhe undertakes tasks set by Venus, leading her on a journey to the underworld. Eventually, she successfully resurrects Eros after his death, and they begin their life together in the mortal realm. While Psykhe is well-researched, I believe the historical details could have been integrated more subtly, and while Forsyth’s straightforward writing style makes the book easy to read, I found the second half meandering at times. Psykhe emerges as a likable protagonist, her experiences of trauma and empathetic worldview endearing her to readers rooting for her success. Forsyth skillfully immerses the audience in the original mythos, tackling themes such as fate versus autonomy, female empowerment, and the power dynamics embedded in the patriarchy. With this in mind, the text offers a refreshing and modern review of the source material, including discussions of female suppression, servitude, and sexuality. Psykhe will appeal to those interested in Greek mythology and readers of Madeline Miller, particularly Circe.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Alexandra Ashburner-Hill is a creative writing graduate. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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