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ARIADNE & DIONYSUS
Haunted by her past, Ariadne is a former orchestra conductor who seeks refuge in a foreign land. But her plans for a quiet exile are upended by a mysterious figure who forces her to confront her deepest fears.
Set against Scandinavian backdrops and threaded with Greek mythology—mirroring the protagonist’s own story of displacement, endurance, and transformation— Ariadne & Dionysus opens a rare window into the hidden machinery of the classical music world. At its heart lies an unsettling bond between two damaged strangers.
It is a literary work for readers who appreciate psychological, character-driven narratives, complex human relationships, and distinctive female voices.
***
A probing, insightful journey into the depths of the human psyche with stretches of incandescent narrative — Gerald Elias, author of The Devil’s Trill.
Ariadne & Dionysus is a bold and passionate book that takes the reader on an unexpected journey. Worth a read if you are looking for something unique — Emma Clarendon, cultural blogger (Love London Love Culture)
A gripping and scandalously candid story — Bob Ross, author, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
Elysanthe brilliantly unravels a mythological archetype against the backdrop of the modern classical music industry — Michael Fine, Grammy Award-winning producer
Set against Scandinavian backdrops and threaded with Greek mythology—mirroring the protagonist’s own story of displacement, endurance, and transformation— Ariadne & Dionysus opens a rare window into the hidden machinery of the classical music world. At its heart lies an unsettling bond between two damaged strangers.
It is a literary work for readers who appreciate psychological, character-driven narratives, complex human relationships, and distinctive female voices.
***
A probing, insightful journey into the depths of the human psyche with stretches of incandescent narrative — Gerald Elias, author of The Devil’s Trill.
Ariadne & Dionysus is a bold and passionate book that takes the reader on an unexpected journey. Worth a read if you are looking for something unique — Emma Clarendon, cultural blogger (Love London Love Culture)
A gripping and scandalously candid story — Bob Ross, author, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
Elysanthe brilliantly unravels a mythological archetype against the backdrop of the modern classical music industry — Michael Fine, Grammy Award-winning producer
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Elysanthe
1 bookElysanthe is a Greek author and orchestra conductor. She is a graduate of the University of Music and Theater in Munich and the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. As a conductor, she has collaborated with various key European orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, the BBC Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestra Giuseppe Verdi in Milan, and the opera theaters in Berlin and Frankfurt.
Ariadne & Dionysus is Elysanthe’s debut novel.
Ariadne & Dionysus is Elysanthe’s debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 12, 2025
I read this book in its final stages some months before publication. As someone who doesnt typically read contemporary, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. I was hooked beginning to end.
The introductory chapters immediately pull you in as a series of curious flashbacks, creating an "I need to know what happens next" feeling right away. Throughout the rest of the book, the significance of these past events are revealed one by one to create a book filled with intrigue and empathy.
What drew me in the most was Ariadnes character. She suffered and lost, yet did not lash out at the world. She did not stand idly by as her life fell apart, but went out and changed it, while also choosing to be kind and supportive of others. I dont usually care much for the "women have it worse" theme, but this novel doesnt make it seem like a trope at all. Ariadne is one of the most well-written females Ive seen in recent years.
The protagonists have backgrounds in classical music and therefore the novel is filled with this fields terminology. The author does a wonderful job providing clarity through inference for those with no musical experience.
For those that love reading beautiful prose, this book is for you.
The introductory chapters immediately pull you in as a series of curious flashbacks, creating an "I need to know what happens next" feeling right away. Throughout the rest of the book, the significance of these past events are revealed one by one to create a book filled with intrigue and empathy.
What drew me in the most was Ariadnes character. She suffered and lost, yet did not lash out at the world. She did not stand idly by as her life fell apart, but went out and changed it, while also choosing to be kind and supportive of others. I dont usually care much for the "women have it worse" theme, but this novel doesnt make it seem like a trope at all. Ariadne is one of the most well-written females Ive seen in recent years.
The protagonists have backgrounds in classical music and therefore the novel is filled with this fields terminology. The author does a wonderful job providing clarity through inference for those with no musical experience.
For those that love reading beautiful prose, this book is for you.
October 9, 2025
A creative woman isolating herself while trying to avoid her past meets someone, with plenty of their own problems needing addressing, who gets her to confront the fears lurking within her past in Ariadne & Dionysus by Elysanthe.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
After fleeing from her deceptive marriage and previous life as an orchestra conductor in Germany, which she fought hard for after growing up in Greece, Ariadne has found herself with a quiet life working at an ad agency in Sweden. But this seemingly peaceful life is disrupted when she loses her position, leaving her looking for a new job and, soon afterward, housing. After a brief stint at a nightclub covering for her neighbor, Ariadne seeks an opportunity with an old conductor colleague for a job, where she happens upon the famed conductor Carl Hoffmann, with whom she gains a position as his assistant. While working for Carl, the pair begin to acknowledge and confront their respective fears and traumas, both alone and collaboratively, which changes their outlooks and interactions with themselves, each other, and the world around them, presenting a new opportunity for finding their place in the future.
Exploring flawed characters struggling to cope with the traumas of their pasts, as well as accepting themselves and the help of others, while incorporating an undercurrent of wild abandon and logic from Greek mythology that befits these characters, the narrative slowly moves through major moments and movements of change in Ariadne’s life that have taken shape around music. Providing thorough descriptions and additional contextual details through the use of footnotes to expand upon passing mentions or unique phrases, the musical world is presented in such a way that educates readers in an interesting way about a facet of the artistic or entertainment landscape that may otherwise be overlooked by a layperson. Depicting issues rooted in attitudes toward specific nationalities, especially in the context of the historic events in the region, sexism, and agism, among others, the story is broad in the scope of topics it addresses within and by the characters and across society, illustrating the difficult and uncomfortable task of beginning to confront them, even in small ways, which is mirrored through some of her interactions with Carl and other former colleagues.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
After fleeing from her deceptive marriage and previous life as an orchestra conductor in Germany, which she fought hard for after growing up in Greece, Ariadne has found herself with a quiet life working at an ad agency in Sweden. But this seemingly peaceful life is disrupted when she loses her position, leaving her looking for a new job and, soon afterward, housing. After a brief stint at a nightclub covering for her neighbor, Ariadne seeks an opportunity with an old conductor colleague for a job, where she happens upon the famed conductor Carl Hoffmann, with whom she gains a position as his assistant. While working for Carl, the pair begin to acknowledge and confront their respective fears and traumas, both alone and collaboratively, which changes their outlooks and interactions with themselves, each other, and the world around them, presenting a new opportunity for finding their place in the future.
Exploring flawed characters struggling to cope with the traumas of their pasts, as well as accepting themselves and the help of others, while incorporating an undercurrent of wild abandon and logic from Greek mythology that befits these characters, the narrative slowly moves through major moments and movements of change in Ariadne’s life that have taken shape around music. Providing thorough descriptions and additional contextual details through the use of footnotes to expand upon passing mentions or unique phrases, the musical world is presented in such a way that educates readers in an interesting way about a facet of the artistic or entertainment landscape that may otherwise be overlooked by a layperson. Depicting issues rooted in attitudes toward specific nationalities, especially in the context of the historic events in the region, sexism, and agism, among others, the story is broad in the scope of topics it addresses within and by the characters and across society, illustrating the difficult and uncomfortable task of beginning to confront them, even in small ways, which is mirrored through some of her interactions with Carl and other former colleagues.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2025
I've had the pleasure of receiving an arc of this, straight from the author. All opinions are my own.
Let's just put a little disclaimer here:
For a lot of personal reasons, I hate Greek culture (I happen to be Greek and live in Greece). And I was a lot of hesitant to read Elysanthe's book. I also, happen to be like Elysanthe. I'm also a musician and part time writer, hopefully a published one at some point. fingers crossed.
I have to personally thank Elysanthe. With Ariadne & Dionysus she made me re-fall in love with Greek culture and music. Something that I will truly be very grateful to her.
My review won't be about the story, though. You can read the blurb if you want to know about the story. I want to express the feelings that trailed for long after, some of them have been imprinted on my mind.
Ari struggles. A lot. Her journey to self acceptance is a long one.
The music industry, especially the classical world (I'm talking of experience - I've worked for almost ten years as the 1st flute in the camerata of my town) is brutal. Painfully brutal. Someone is going to be better than you, with more passion, better technique and just... more than you. If by some miracle you're chosen, that's when the torture of self-esteem really kicks in. Will I be okay? Will I be giving my full potential? Will I reach this C4 in pp that's kicking my gut in my 8-hour practice every day? Will I express the internal turmoil the composer was in, upon writing this masterpiece? And those are just the struggles of the musical world. What about the personal ones? Will my life be like this? Must I sacrifice my personal life for music?
I found myself in Ari. Her struggles became my own. I fell in love with her and despite her constant falls she learned from it, moved on. Became a better person. For years I wanted to read about a FMC that wasn't young and naive and not in their late teens. The Violets and Bellas of the writing industry. And thank God for Elysanthe's Ari, who had the best character development in a book, I got to read about real problems in fictional worlds.
With a beautiful prose and flawed characters that will leave you breathless, Ariadne and Dionysus' story will captivate your heart.
As it did mine.
Let's just put a little disclaimer here:
For a lot of personal reasons, I hate Greek culture (I happen to be Greek and live in Greece). And I was a lot of hesitant to read Elysanthe's book. I also, happen to be like Elysanthe. I'm also a musician and part time writer, hopefully a published one at some point. fingers crossed.
I have to personally thank Elysanthe. With Ariadne & Dionysus she made me re-fall in love with Greek culture and music. Something that I will truly be very grateful to her.
My review won't be about the story, though. You can read the blurb if you want to know about the story. I want to express the feelings that trailed for long after, some of them have been imprinted on my mind.
Ari struggles. A lot. Her journey to self acceptance is a long one.
The music industry, especially the classical world (I'm talking of experience - I've worked for almost ten years as the 1st flute in the camerata of my town) is brutal. Painfully brutal. Someone is going to be better than you, with more passion, better technique and just... more than you. If by some miracle you're chosen, that's when the torture of self-esteem really kicks in. Will I be okay? Will I be giving my full potential? Will I reach this C4 in pp that's kicking my gut in my 8-hour practice every day? Will I express the internal turmoil the composer was in, upon writing this masterpiece? And those are just the struggles of the musical world. What about the personal ones? Will my life be like this? Must I sacrifice my personal life for music?
I found myself in Ari. Her struggles became my own. I fell in love with her and despite her constant falls she learned from it, moved on. Became a better person. For years I wanted to read about a FMC that wasn't young and naive and not in their late teens. The Violets and Bellas of the writing industry. And thank God for Elysanthe's Ari, who had the best character development in a book, I got to read about real problems in fictional worlds.
With a beautiful prose and flawed characters that will leave you breathless, Ariadne and Dionysus' story will captivate your heart.
As it did mine.
November 4, 2025
Your next read after Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and for musicians, conductors, or fans of the symphony. I got to read this early and what a delight!
Part love letter to the journey music can take you on and part story of the enduring power of humanity. Elysanthe's prose, sentences, and metaphors were beautiful, lyrical and descriptive. The life of the FMC, Ari, felt so real that her emotions became mine - I was pulled into melancholy and dare I say it, despair. I sat on the edge of my seat hoping Ari found sparks again for life and music.
Ari is a musician and conductor, but life hasn't been a jolly dance so far. There are scenes with orchestral pieces and having played or listened before to the pieces myself, I could easily hear them and feel them. Ari battles against misogyny in the conductor world, anxiety, and judgmental family expectations. As you could guess, the material is heavy at times. But there's lovely interactions between characters, and Ari finding her spark. There's clever section headings, and parallels between Ari's life and the life of her favorite conductor.
One of my all-time favorite books is Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow which this story (including some unique choices in how the story unfolds as well as the depth of emotion elicited) makes me think of. This story is crafted so marvelously human and emotionally raw. Highly recommended for those who like to read stories with emotional damage, for musicians or lovers of orchestras...and women searching for their own power out of the shadow of men.
Part love letter to the journey music can take you on and part story of the enduring power of humanity. Elysanthe's prose, sentences, and metaphors were beautiful, lyrical and descriptive. The life of the FMC, Ari, felt so real that her emotions became mine - I was pulled into melancholy and dare I say it, despair. I sat on the edge of my seat hoping Ari found sparks again for life and music.
Ari is a musician and conductor, but life hasn't been a jolly dance so far. There are scenes with orchestral pieces and having played or listened before to the pieces myself, I could easily hear them and feel them. Ari battles against misogyny in the conductor world, anxiety, and judgmental family expectations. As you could guess, the material is heavy at times. But there's lovely interactions between characters, and Ari finding her spark. There's clever section headings, and parallels between Ari's life and the life of her favorite conductor.
One of my all-time favorite books is Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow which this story (including some unique choices in how the story unfolds as well as the depth of emotion elicited) makes me think of. This story is crafted so marvelously human and emotionally raw. Highly recommended for those who like to read stories with emotional damage, for musicians or lovers of orchestras...and women searching for their own power out of the shadow of men.
October 10, 2025
I had the opportunity to get an early copy of this and, foolishly, I kept postponing reading it—no idea why. Possibly, because I never thought of myself as a classical music enthusiast, and I knew that the story( loosely based on the homonymous Greek myth) is set against the background of the music industry. This book caught me by surprise. It wasn’t at all what I expected. I also liked that for once, the protagonist is not a beauty in her 20s.
The writing and narrative style is unique and evolving (clearly on purpose) as the characters grow. The protagonists--odd as they might be--are complex, interesting and relatable. I found myself “missing” them after I was done reading. I was fascinated with all the insider-info and the music references, but also with the main metaphor: orchestras as a microcosm of our society.
ARIADNE & DIONYSUS is without a doubt one of the best novels I’ve read in the last five years. It’s not for “speed-readers.” It kicks off as a psychological jigsaw-puzzle. The first chapter, PRELUDES (possibly a prologue of sorts), is a collection of nine vignettes, each presenting a piece of the puzzle. Every detail matters. The final picture reveals the unexpected. And it entails so much more than just the portrait of an artist.
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The writing and narrative style is unique and evolving (clearly on purpose) as the characters grow. The protagonists--odd as they might be--are complex, interesting and relatable. I found myself “missing” them after I was done reading. I was fascinated with all the insider-info and the music references, but also with the main metaphor: orchestras as a microcosm of our society.
ARIADNE & DIONYSUS is without a doubt one of the best novels I’ve read in the last five years. It’s not for “speed-readers.” It kicks off as a psychological jigsaw-puzzle. The first chapter, PRELUDES (possibly a prologue of sorts), is a collection of nine vignettes, each presenting a piece of the puzzle. Every detail matters. The final picture reveals the unexpected. And it entails so much more than just the portrait of an artist.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews