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Fruit of the Dead: A Novel Kindle Edition

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

Named a Best Book of the Year by Oprah Daily

* “Mesmerizing.” —Town & Country * “Twisty and unsettling.” —People * “Ancient Greece meets Succession by way of Emma Cline…deliciously dark.” —Ruth Gilligan *

A “superb…refreshing” (The New York Times Book Review) reimagining of the myth of Persephone and Demeter set on a lush private island, exploring themes of addiction and sex, family, independence, and who holds the power in a modern underworld.

Camp counselor Cory Ansel, eighteen and aimless, afraid to face her high-strung single mother’s disappointment, is no longer sure where home is when the father of one of her campers offers an alternative. The CEO of a pharmaceutical company, Rolo Picazo is wealthy, divorced, and magnetic. He is also intoxicated by Cory. When Rolo offers her a job, Cory quiets an internal warning and allows herself to be ferried to his private island. Plied with luxury and the opiates manufactured by his company, she tells herself she’s in charge. Her mother, Emer, head of a teetering agricultural NGO, senses otherwise. With her daughter seemingly vanished, Emer crosses land and sea to heed a cry for help that only she can hear.

Alternating between the two women’s perspectives,
Fruit of the Dead incorporates its mythic inspiration with a light touch and devastating precision. The result is a tale that explores love, control, obliteration, and America’s late-capitalist mythos. Lyon’s reinvention of Persephone and Demeter’s story makes for a haunting, electric novel that readers will not soon forget.

From the Publisher

Fruit of the Dead

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Alternating between the perspective of mother and daughter, we can indulge in the full thrill of being young, reckless, and newly independent—and the full propulsive terror of being older and knowing better. Though Lyon pulls the bones of the story from ancient mythology, the book’s characters are intensely—at times achingly—human and its plot is urgently contemporary." Oprah Daily

"Twisty and unsettling."
—People

"A mesmerizing, fantastic retelling of an ancient myth."
Town and Country

“Superb... refreshing... Lyon twists the tale just enough to needle our conceptions of coercion and desire."
—New York Times Book Review

"Gorgeous prose that’s so vivid and luminous it contrasts starkly with the darkness of the subject matter. Every sentence is a feast."
—WBUR.org

“A Greek myth retelling! Wonders—and risks—abound.”
—Elle

“A mesmerizing, fantastic retelling of an ancient myth.”
—Town & Country

“Epic… Greek mythology enthusiasts will especially fall for this modern retelling of the myth of Persephone and Demeter.”
—Lilith Magazine

“Riveting and lush…a spellbinding account of a young woman’s hunger for freedom, the sordid underbelly of big pharma, and the siren call of addiction.”
—Leslie Jamison

"In lush, hallucinatory prose, Lyon narrates from the perspectives of both mother and daughter and evokes the classic myth without distracting readers from the striking contemporary setting and subject matter."
Booklist, Starred Review

"Irresistible... brilliantly told... an affecting, engrossing, and resonant tale about lost innocence and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter.”
Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

"Lyon’s skillful and luscious prose encourages empathy... an affecting novel with touches of the fantastical, weaving explorations of power, youth, wealth, and familial love."
Kirkus, Starred Review

"A gripping literary thriller, Fruit of the Dead presents a coming-of-age tale that is so well-observed and intoxicating that the reader will lose track of time, but won't forget how they spent it. Jennifer Egan and Emma Cline fans: assemble."
—Caoilinn Hughes, author of The Wild Laughter

"Mesmerized and profoundly alarmed, I read this in one go; I’ve been haunted by it ever since. I’ve passionately loved Lyon’s writing for years, and
Fruit of the Dead further confirms what I’ve long suspected: I want to lunge to read anything she writes." —R. O. Kwon, author of Exhibit and The Incendiaries

"Ancient Greece meets
Succession by way of Emma Cline, Fruit of the Dead is a deliciously dark examination of agency and power, and the savage complexity of the mother-daughter bond." —Ruth Gilligan, author of The Butchers

"A brutal, brilliant reimagining of the Persephone/Demeter story, shifted seamlessly into a 21st-century thriller of addiction. My heart was pounding for teenage Cory, coerced into a billionaire's Hades, and for her mother, who dismantles her own compromised life to bring her daughter back from the brink.
Fruit of the Dead is a scathing and stunning indictment of patriarchal mythology." —Maria Dahvana Headley, author of The Mere Wife

“Irresistible and devastating. I devoured
Fruit of the Dead in a single day. Lyon has spun an utterly absorbing, lush, and terror-laced retelling of an ancient, archetypal tale—a young woman tempted and taken, a mother’s feral grief—that is both timeless and crisply contemporary." —Melissa Febos, author of Girlhood

"Opulent and unsettling,
Fruit of the Dead explores the island where ancient myth meets the contemporary body. This story is vivid, shocking, evocative. It is both of this time and outside it. It is purely Rachel Lyon. It is wonderful." —Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth

"In hallucinatory prose, Rachel Lyon evokes a world lush with pleasure and peril. She has an uncanny grasp on what it is to be a teenage girl, caught between the safety of a mother’s love and the alluring offerings of adulthood. An all-consuming fever-dream of a novel,
Fruit of the Dead pulls you under and refuses to let go." —Alexis Schaitkin, author of Saint X

"Rachel Lyon’s genius, alluring novel is a mythic and modern love story: between mother and daughter, between a young woman and the danger she needs to experience, between her darkest and brightest selves. I read with my heart in my throat and my breath held, a total glutton for its sentences and Cory’s propulsive, sparkling, and often terrifying journey."
—Danielle Lazarin, author of Back Talk

"A brilliant and luminous reimagining of the Persephone myth. Lyon explores power, consent, motherhood, capitalism, and addiction, in prose as lush and entrancing as her book’s seductive island setting. Incantatory and razor-sharp, Fruit of the Dead casts a powerful spell."
—Jessie Chaffee, author of Florence in Ecstasy

About the Author

Rachel Lyon is the author of Fruit of the Dead and Self-Portrait with Boy, a finalist for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Her short stories have appeared in One Story, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and other publications. A teacher of creative writing at various institutions, most recently Bennington College, Rachel lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and two young children.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C7RWGPBR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (March 5, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1766 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

About the author

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Rachel Lyon
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Rachel Lyon is the author of SELF-PORTRAIT WITH BOY, a finalist for the Center for Fiction's 2018 First Novel Prize, and FRUIT OF THE DEAD (2024). Her short work has appeared in One Story, The Rumpus, Electric Literature's Recommended Reading, and elsewhere. A cofounder of Ditmas Lit and The Dream Away Reading Series, Rachel has taught at various institutions, most recently Bennington College. She lives with her family in Western Massachusetts.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
146 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
    In Rachel Lyon’s "Fruit of the Dead," the tendrils of the original myth of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades intertwine with contemporary struggles of agency, abuse, and the quest for autonomy. Lyon masterfully crafts a narrative that questions traditional power dynamics, delving into themes of toxic families, the search for identity, and the complexities of power within relationships.

    The story opens with Cory, a young camp counselor drifting in the complexities of her own existence and suffocating under the grip of her high-strung mother. When offered a job as a live-in babysitter by Rolo Picazo, a wealthy CEO whose allure masks a darker truth, Cory hesitantly accepts, unknowingly stepping into a world of opulence and manipulation. Meanwhile, Emer, sensing her daughter's disappearance, embarks on a journey across land and sea to find her, refusing to relinquish her control over Cory.

    One of the most striking aspects of Lyon's narrative is her unapologetic portrayal of familial strife. As Cory navigates the treacherous waters of Rolo’s world, Emer’s determination to rescue her daughter exposes the complexities of maternal love and the desire to mold a child in one’s own image. The tension between mother and daughter in this story crackles with emotional intensity, prompting reflection on the societal pressure to reconcile with toxic parents and the struggle to forge one's identity in the shadow of parental control.

    Lyon skillfully intertwines elements of the original myth with contemporary issues, offering a nuanced critique of late capitalism and its power dynamics. Through Cory's experiences on the island, Lyon examines themes of coercion, dependency, and the insidious allure of wealth and privilege. Moreover, Lyon deftly incorporates diverse representation and explores themes of political liberation throughout the narrative. From nonbinary side characters to critiques of neoliberal colonization, Lyon challenges readers to confront issues of privilege and power dynamics in both personal and societal contexts.

    Lyon’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the lush beauty of the island landscape while delving into the darker recesses of the human psyche. Scenes brim with sensory detail, immersing the reader in Cory’s tumultuous journey of self-discovery and redemption. From the ethereal beauty of the natural world to the claustrophobic confines of Rolo’s mansion, Lyon’s vivid descriptions breathe life into every corner of her narrative.

    As the story unfolds, Lyon deftly navigates themes of identity, agency, and the search for belonging. It was difficult to see Cory suffer from the consequences of a mother who controlled all of her choices without explanation and the ways this left Cory vulnerable to Rolo’s coercive wiles. Throughout the novel, I found myself silently urging Cory to realize her own autonomy and break free of the victimization inflicted by both Rolo and her mother. Lyon’s characters are nuanced and multifaceted, masterfully raising questions about the complexities of human relationships and what we might owe one another.

    In conclusion, "Fruit of the Dead" is a haunting and mesmerizing novel that explores the depths of connection and the complexities of power within relationships. Rachel Lyon's reimagining of the Persephone and Demeter myth is a triumph of storytelling, blending mythic inspiration with contemporary relevance. Readers will be captivated by Lyon's vivid prose, compelling characters, and thought-provoking exploration of power, control, and the quest for autonomy.

    📖 Recommended For: Fans of Mythological Retellings, Psychological Thriller Enthusiasts, Readers Interested in Power Dynamics, Mommy Issues Readers.

    🔑 Key Themes: Reimagining of Mythic Narratives, Examination of Familial Dynamics, Critique of Power Structures, Struggle for Autonomy and Identity, Exploration of Coercion and Control, Redemption and Self-Discovery.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    We selected this as a Book club grade. I never knew exactly what was going to happen from one chapter to the next so it kept me very engaged. I loved her use of dual perspective. Well written solid story that I would highly recommend.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024
    Cory is a River Rock camp counselor and befriends two children, Spencer and Fern, at the camp. The reader gains insight into the difficulties Cory has with her mother, Emer. Emer is a high-level, career driven executive with an international non-profit organization and doesn’t have time for a daughter. Spencer and Fern’s father, Rolo Picazo, a pharmaceutical billionaire who owns his own island, convinces Cory to come to work for him as a nanny for the children. This is where the book turns creepy. It felt like Rolo was keeping Cory on the island he owns, and she had no escape. Cory becomes addicted to drugs and is unable to contact her mother (no wi-fi). Two threads flow through the book: Cory’s story on the island and Emer trying to locate Cory.

    I found the book lagging at times. It was a difficult book to read with the struggles Cory was encountering. The book, for me, was just okay. I’m unsure what type of reader would enjoy this book. For me, I was glad when it ended.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Scribner, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
    Disjointed and strange. Slogged through to the end but did not care for this book. too much detail on things that are unimportant and not enough on real character development.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Told from alternating perspectives- daughter and mother - this story grips and repels and burrows into all the relational and societal spaces. The primal pull of motherhood is paramount and the daughter’s attraction to the mother ship. Also read Tillie Olson’s As I stand here ironing…. What’s a woman to do ?
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Captivating from the start, and while I set it down a few times, it was only when the subject matter became too heavy—never out of boredom or a sense of dragging. Lyon infused just the right amount of Captivating from the start, I set it down a few times, but it was only when the subject matter became too heavy—never out of boredom or a sense of dragging. Lyon infused just the right amount of magic throughout the narrative, along with delightful Epicurean touches and nostalgic memories of summers past.

    I often wished I could have read this book on the beach, clad in cut-off shorts with scraped knees or a De La Renta gown, blissfully ignoring the mindless soirée unfolding around me. The characters were vividly depicted and danced through my mind's eye, a testament to the descriptive writing that feels grounded in real personalities and places—be it something we've experienced, a friend's story, or merely imagined (perhaps sans dark elements) until now.

    It tells the story of a mother and her child, a young woman discovering her identity, and a man as a peddling predator. magic throughout the narrative, along with delightful Epicurean touches and nostalgic memories of summers past, making it.

    I often wished I could have read this book on the beach, clad in cut-off shorts with scraped knees or a De La Renta gown, blissfully ignoring the mindless soirée unfolding around me. The characters were vividly drawn and danced through my mind's eye, a testament to the descriptive writing that feels grounded in The characters were vividly depicted and danced through my mind's eye, a testament to the descriptive writing that feels grounded in real personalities and places—be it something we've experienced, a friend's story, or merely imagined (perhaps sans dark elements) until now.

    It tells the story of a mother and her child, a young woman discovering her identity, a man as a peddling predator.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kenza Charef
    2.0 out of 5 stars Couverture abimée
    Reviewed in France on May 23, 2024
    Le livre a été abimé
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    Kenza Charef
    2.0 out of 5 stars
    Couverture abimée

    Reviewed in France on May 23, 2024
    Le livre a été abimé
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  • paula h
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and retell of the Greek myth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2024
    Engaging storytelling

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