Have you ever picked up a book and felt like it was whispering secrets straight to your soul? That’s how I felt reading Calypso’s Longing. This isn’t your typical rehash of Greek mythology—it’s a poignant and deeply personal reimagining of Calypso’s story, written like a love letter to every woman who has loved, longed, and lost. It feels like stepping into someone else’s heart, and I couldn’t put it down.

The novella begins with Calypso, the goddess from Homer’s Odyssey, pouring her heart out about love, betrayal, and self-discovery. She’s no longer just the seductress who kept Odysseus captive here, she’s a fully realized character with dreams, regrets, and a fierce tenderness. The diary-style narration brings a beautiful intimacy to her tale.

What struck me most was the poetic flow of the writing. Every sentence pulses with rhythm and emotion. In “From Eternity,” Calypso confesses a love so deep it feels otherworldly: “Know that I exist because you exist. Know that your lips are full to receive my kiss.” Lines like these stayed with me. The author has a gift for capturing both the ecstasy and agony of love, and you can feel the weight of every word. I especially loved the way the story tied contemporary emotions to mythological settings—it’s like Calypso’s heartbreak and longing transcend time and space.

The vivid imagery of Ogygia, with its crystal caves and mythical vibes, is undeniably beautiful but at times overindulgent. However, when the focus shifted back to Calypso’s emotions—her loneliness and yearning—it pulled me right back in. The chapters where she challenges the gods’ narratives about her life (especially her quiet defiance against Athena and Zeus) were particularly powerful.

One thing I didn’t see coming was how sensual the book could be. Calypso’s feelings for Odysseus are written with so much heat and vulnerability that it almost feels voyeuristic at times. There’s an unapologetic boldness to poems like “Ulysses’ Candy” and “For the Sex of It.” These moments are electric, but they might be too much for readers who shy away from such candid passion. Personally, I appreciated the honesty—it felt like the goddess was reclaiming her narrative, her body, and her love.

Calypso’s Longing is a celebration of love in all its messy, complicated forms—romantic, selfless, and even destructive. It’s a book for dreamers and lovers, for anyone who has ever felt like they were waiting for something that might never come. If you’re a fan of mythology with a twist, or if you just want to lose yourself in a story that feels both ancient and achingly modern, give this one a read.

Pages: 237 | ASIN: B0DSK39HP8