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Demeter & Persephone: Spring Held Hostage [A Greek Myth]
This graphic novel tells the story of Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest, and her daughter, Persephone. Demeter rules over a perpetual summer on earth, where crops, trees, and flowers grow in abundance. Persephone, young and beautiful, unknowingly attracts the attention of the lonely god of the Underworld, Hades. Hades kidnaps Persephone, and a frantic Demeter searches in vain for her daughter. Finally, Demeter retreats to her temple in mourning. The goddess's sorrow causes the crops to die and the ground to freeze. The first winter falls over Greece. As people begin to starve, the other Olympian gods and goddesses try to convince Demeter to accept a marriage between Persephone and Hades. But Demeter will not give up her daughter forever to the Underworld. Finally a compromise is struck: Persephone will stay with Hades for half a year (winter). When she comes back from the Underworld to spend half a year with her mother, spring returns to earth.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2006
About the author
Justine Korman Fontes
397 books54 followersJustine Korman is the author of over 600 children's books, including mega-selling adaptations of Disney hits like THE LION KING, plus her original popular GRUMPY BUNNY series for Scholastic.
Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.
When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.
In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.
The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.
Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.
When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.
In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.
The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
November 28, 2018
I knew ahead of time what I was getting. It would only have so many pages, an d the artwork was good. But I felt that the storyline was lacking. There wasn't anything about how Hades and Persephone grew closer, not even one page. it just skips from the first day she is kidnapped to shortly before she eats the pomegranate seeds, and this story says she only ate 4 seeds, when the general consensus is that she ate six (fall and winter).
The artwork was enjoyable and a lot of effort clearly went into it, which makes me wonder why this piece of work didn't have 64 pages, as lots of special edition/deluxe issue comic books and graphic novels come in 64 or even 100-128 pages.
3.5/5 for a entertaining but brief read.
The artwork was enjoyable and a lot of effort clearly went into it, which makes me wonder why this piece of work didn't have 64 pages, as lots of special edition/deluxe issue comic books and graphic novels come in 64 or even 100-128 pages.
3.5/5 for a entertaining but brief read.
May 4, 2023
The myth of Hades and Persephone has always been a favorite of mine. There have been so many tales even now the whole myth is being reimagined even in romance novels. Always made the two of them fall in love, but I always wondered if he did love her in such a way. I could only fathom that his desire to have her had been that his life below had been lonely. All the other gods had their other half beside them. Hades had no one other than Cerberus and Charon, but never a queen. So, I can imagine that the moment he had seen her that he decided then and there she was the perfect goddess to take up the role of his queen. Now tales always seem to be uncertain about the number of seeds Persephone consumes. One says three and others say six. It just depends on who you hear the tale from.
3.9/5
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3.9/5
Book Reviews | Pillowfort | Twitter | Bookbub | Spoutible | Instagram |LibraryThing
October 17, 2017
This is a graphic novel that retells the abduction of Persephone by Hades and the aftermath her absence from Demeter's side caused mortals.
I first heard of this book when I began doing research on Persephone for a book I was writing but it was hard to come by so I wound up not getting it. As it turns out, not reading back then was a good idea. There was a note in the front that listed that the authors and the illustrators were trying to make the story as visually and historically accurate as possible; but it seems they neglected one fact: Zeus, Poseidon and Hades drew lots to pick their domains, Zeus did not decide who got what like it was depicted in this story. Had it not been for that, I probably would have given this three stars instead of two.
Visually, the art was pretty. I liked how each of the gods were drawn. For the most part, the story was accurate.
I first heard of this book when I began doing research on Persephone for a book I was writing but it was hard to come by so I wound up not getting it. As it turns out, not reading back then was a good idea. There was a note in the front that listed that the authors and the illustrators were trying to make the story as visually and historically accurate as possible; but it seems they neglected one fact: Zeus, Poseidon and Hades drew lots to pick their domains, Zeus did not decide who got what like it was depicted in this story. Had it not been for that, I probably would have given this three stars instead of two.
Visually, the art was pretty. I liked how each of the gods were drawn. For the most part, the story was accurate.
August 10, 2018
I've tremendously enjoyed 22 books in this series of 27 and will have read them all soon enough. All the rest range between 3.25-4.85 (this one) stars in terms of what they are, not in terms of grandiose literature. but THIS ONE SHINES BRIGHTEST. I assume it will continue to reign although the writing couple has two more I haven't gotten yet.
The husband and wife team injected so much adult humor, especially Hera's gripes about Zeus's infidelity, in such an objectively gray story and avoided being horny which is so difficult in an all ages book about magical happenings.
Despite, or maybe because of the duality/contrast, it remains my favorite love story in the entire Pantheon no matter who tells or draws it.
As for the appropriate art my highest praise would go to Ray Dillon of Golden Goat Studios who did a tremendous job coloring such a bipolar atmosphere!
The husband and wife team injected so much adult humor, especially Hera's gripes about Zeus's infidelity, in such an objectively gray story and avoided being horny which is so difficult in an all ages book about magical happenings.
Despite, or maybe because of the duality/contrast, it remains my favorite love story in the entire Pantheon no matter who tells or draws it.
As for the appropriate art my highest praise would go to Ray Dillon of Golden Goat Studios who did a tremendous job coloring such a bipolar atmosphere!
September 2, 2023
I found this for my classroom library. When I first learned this myth in school, the trick of the pomegranate seeds was the main focus, not the feelings of the characters. We all knew Zeus was a two-timing (three-timing, four-timing, five-timing??...) husband, but in school we didn't really get into a lot more of the details of the relationships. In this version, we get insight into everyone's thought bubbles and watch Persephone fall in love with Hades and make the choice to eat some seeds, no trickery required, and I think that's lovely. It was clear the authors did their research to make this portrayal as close to what the ancient Greeks probably told each other about this myth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
I love this story but was underwhelmed by this version. Calling Dionysus by his Roman name Bacchus put me on guard. Plus, I was influenced by George O’Connor’s version of the myth in his graphic novel, Hades: Lord of the Dead. (Big props to all of O’Connor’s books in his Olympians series.) One thing the Fontes book did really well was bring forth the pathos of the Hades story: getting the short end of the stick when divvying you’re the realms (especially by his younger brother) and the emotional longing of the lonely Underworld god.
May 19, 2017
This is based on a Greek Mythology tale of how the love between a god and goddess became so.
I've heard of the story between Hades and Persephone and only an outline of how they've became one. Fontes did her research well and produced a spot-on described story about how Persephone was brought to the Underworld and fell in love. Thus, how Persephone emerges during the time of Spring and goes to the Underworld in Fall.
I've heard of the story between Hades and Persephone and only an outline of how they've became one. Fontes did her research well and produced a spot-on described story about how Persephone was brought to the Underworld and fell in love. Thus, how Persephone emerges during the time of Spring and goes to the Underworld in Fall.
December 7, 2018
The artwork was good and the adaptation was as accurate as I can remember but the book is not really fit for children. The main myth is not the problem but rather the actions of the gods [incest being the worst].
A knowledge of the Greek myths is a study in humanity's foibles as they give the false gods all the traits of man. The True God, as revealed in the Bible, is holy, righteous, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Oh that men would know Him.
A knowledge of the Greek myths is a study in humanity's foibles as they give the false gods all the traits of man. The True God, as revealed in the Bible, is holy, righteous, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Oh that men would know Him.
June 4, 2018
“Demeter and Persephone”
“So each WINTER, Persephone ruled in the underworld with handsome Hades. And each SPRING, when the seeds sprouted, the ever-young goddess returned to Earth.”
[p16, top frame: the speech bubbles are attributed to the wrong character.]
Very good series giving a generalised overview of the predominant myths and legends that have shaped our worldviews.
- - -
“So each WINTER, Persephone ruled in the underworld with handsome Hades. And each SPRING, when the seeds sprouted, the ever-young goddess returned to Earth.”
[p16, top frame: the speech bubbles are attributed to the wrong character.]
Very good series giving a generalised overview of the predominant myths and legends that have shaped our worldviews.
- - -
December 30, 2023
Rich
Great graphic retelling. Clear imagery, suitable for kids. No gore. Hits the significant points of the tale . Empathy, problem solving.
Great graphic retelling. Clear imagery, suitable for kids. No gore. Hits the significant points of the tale . Empathy, problem solving.
April 24, 2015
Demeter and Persephone: Spring Held Hostage begins by giving background information on who Demeter is, which is the daughter of Persephone and Zeus. (Yes, Zeus has a lot of kids by a lot of different women and goddesses.) We then get information on Zeus and his two brothers - Poseidon and Hades. Zeus chose to rule the sky. Poseidon was granted the water. Hades was granted the underworld. We see all the gods and goddesses happy, but Hades is further isolating himself in loneliness. Hades tells Zeus that he wants a queen and that he has chosen Persephone as the woman he wants, so he kidnaps her.
At first Persephone doesn't like being in the underworld, and who can blame her? She was kidnapped and separated from her mother. However, she begins to grow accustomed to it, and seems to actually love it down there. Readers are treated to a tour of the underworld and what happens to good souls, bad souls, and so-so souls. Because she is in the underworld, the world is in winter, so she has to make the tough choice between staying with Hades or going back up to the world and returning Spring to mankind. When she returns, she gives the people the gift of agriculture, so that she can return to the underworld for half the year and not leave the people in dire need. This isn't my favorite of the Greek myths, but it does a good job explaining the seasons. Like other books in this series, it closes with a glossary and a guide for further reading. If your child likes comics and mythology, this is a good series and one that they will appreciate.
At first Persephone doesn't like being in the underworld, and who can blame her? She was kidnapped and separated from her mother. However, she begins to grow accustomed to it, and seems to actually love it down there. Readers are treated to a tour of the underworld and what happens to good souls, bad souls, and so-so souls. Because she is in the underworld, the world is in winter, so she has to make the tough choice between staying with Hades or going back up to the world and returning Spring to mankind. When she returns, she gives the people the gift of agriculture, so that she can return to the underworld for half the year and not leave the people in dire need. This isn't my favorite of the Greek myths, but it does a good job explaining the seasons. Like other books in this series, it closes with a glossary and a guide for further reading. If your child likes comics and mythology, this is a good series and one that they will appreciate.
December 27, 2008
A graphic novel/ comic book version of the classic Abduction myth. I love this format - it is perfect for getting young children interested in the Greek and Roman myths! The writing was a little simplistic at times (the thoughts/ thought bubbles were kind of odd and repetitive at times), but it suits its intended audience - young children and/or struggling readers. The illustrations are a little bizarre at times too (take a close look at some of the chins and facial expressions), but overall it's pretty good. I would definitely recommend it to Elementary and Middle school students as a tool for learning about Greek and Roman mythology or just as a good transitional tool for struggling or picky readers.
March 13, 2016
I needed a graphic novel for my reading challenge. Unfortunately amazon's definition of a graphic novel is not the same as my own. So after two days of off & on searching in between my daily activities, I snagged this through Kindle Unlimited. It was the first thing I saw that was an actual graphic novel and not a novel that was graphic.
I have always loved mythology, and am familiar with the story of Hades & Persephone. I found this to be geared towards younger readers, and that's ok. Made for a quick read to get that item marked off my challenge.
I have always loved mythology, and am familiar with the story of Hades & Persephone. I found this to be geared towards younger readers, and that's ok. Made for a quick read to get that item marked off my challenge.
January 8, 2016
It claims to have been well-researched for accuracy in the myth's depiction, and not knowing much about the myth except the pertinent details, it would be hard for me to interpret this telling in terms of critical analysis.
January 23, 2017
I think good this graphic book but why Hades (Demeter) marry Persephone make no sense me because he older than her younger from his family and same blood then I know that was long ago can marry like brother and sister now God.
August 22, 2011
Hades, handsome?! OK, that is just, odd. I never imagined Hades as handsome. Weird.
November 18, 2016
It was just okay.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews