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Demi-Gods
A bold debut novel for those who loved Emma Cline's The Girls and Rachel Kushner's The Flamethrowers--a story of love, lust, and the spaces in between, from a "captivating" (NYTBR) new voice in fiction.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa's sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family's summer home in British Columbia. As Willa's older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world.
Demi-Gods traces the tumultuous years of Willa's coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick's wicked games. Though they see each other only a handful of times, each of their encounters is increasingly charged with sexuality and degradation. When Willa finally realizes the danger of her relationship with Patrick, she desperately tries to reverse their dynamic, with devastating results.
Daring, singular, and provocative, Demi-Gods explores a girl's attempt to make a life of her own choosing in a world where woman's independence is suspect, a world that threatens to claim a woman's body as a mere object for men's pleasure. A sensitive, playful, and entirely original evocation of the dualities within ourselves and our history, Eliza Robertson's debut novel announces the arrival of one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary literature.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa's sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family's summer home in British Columbia. As Willa's older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world.
Demi-Gods traces the tumultuous years of Willa's coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick's wicked games. Though they see each other only a handful of times, each of their encounters is increasingly charged with sexuality and degradation. When Willa finally realizes the danger of her relationship with Patrick, she desperately tries to reverse their dynamic, with devastating results.
Daring, singular, and provocative, Demi-Gods explores a girl's attempt to make a life of her own choosing in a world where woman's independence is suspect, a world that threatens to claim a woman's body as a mere object for men's pleasure. A sensitive, playful, and entirely original evocation of the dualities within ourselves and our history, Eliza Robertson's debut novel announces the arrival of one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary literature.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
35 people are currently reading
1927 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Robertson
11 books64 followersImage by Leanne Dunic
Eliza Robertson's 2014 debut collection, Wallflowers, was shortlisted for the East Anglia Book Award, the Danuta Gleed Short Story Prize, and selected as a New York Times Editor's Choice. Her critically acclaimed first novel, Demi-Gods, was a Globe & Mail and National Post book of the year and the winner of the 2018 Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize. She studied creative writing at the University of Victoria and the University of East Anglia, where she received the Man Booker Scholarship and Curtis Brown Prize. In addition to being shortlisted for the CBC Short Story Prize and Journey Prize, Eliza’s stories have won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and 2017 Elizabeth Jolley Prize.
Originally from Vancouver Island, Eliza lives in Montreal.
Eliza Robertson's 2014 debut collection, Wallflowers, was shortlisted for the East Anglia Book Award, the Danuta Gleed Short Story Prize, and selected as a New York Times Editor's Choice. Her critically acclaimed first novel, Demi-Gods, was a Globe & Mail and National Post book of the year and the winner of the 2018 Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize. She studied creative writing at the University of Victoria and the University of East Anglia, where she received the Man Booker Scholarship and Curtis Brown Prize. In addition to being shortlisted for the CBC Short Story Prize and Journey Prize, Eliza’s stories have won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and 2017 Elizabeth Jolley Prize.
Originally from Vancouver Island, Eliza lives in Montreal.
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January 21, 2018
I need more time to whip this review together....I'll be back -- to continue it..... (going hiking first) ...
but want to get a few thoughts out now --while they are fresh:
BE WARNED -- This book is not for everyone.
Once I got past the most uncomfortable scene near the beginning --
I found myself reading sentences- and re-reading them --studying them -- in the way I might a painting -- or be enchanted by a tree in nature- - or bite into a delicious flavorful meal.
Very unique and brilliant writing!!! I liked pretty much everything about this slim book. Its a least 4.5 stars for me -- but I'm going with 5 stars --because I know I'll continue thinking about "Demi Gods".
Its too experiential to forget..... reading "Demi God's is a very private experience.
I saw the movie "call me by your name" two days ago -- (great) -- and was remembering how powerful and exceptional the 'book' was -- (the writing by Andre Aciman) --
At 'times' -author Eliza Robertson -- reminded me of Andre Aciman. They both could throw a hard ball.....(we feel it in our gut) They both could be brutal and tender -- both had beautiful prose.
Review to be continued:
I’m back.
Please forgive my blunt-crudeness- but at ‘first glance’ —on the surface —I said to myself: ( half joking - but not far from the truth) - that this is an:
All-In-The-Family-F#%k-Fest Story:
The mother’s live-in boyfriend, Eugene, is her ex-husband’s brother: her daughters uncle.
The oldest daughter, Joan, has hooked up with her Eugene’s oldest son, Kenneth.
Willa, the younger sister, has hooked up with Eugene’s youngest son, Patrick..( 2 years older than Willa).
Luke, the little brother of Joan and Willa, is the only person in this family not hooking up with a extended family member. He tags along though at times.
So...setting aside - that the couple- hookups each share a similar pattern....following mom’s example— this story belongs to Willa.
We first meet Willa when she’s 9 years old.....in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.
She’s an extremely observant child. As narrator she begins her story with this sentence:
“We must have met the brothers in 1950, because USA had defeated England in the FIFA World Cup. They arrived with the sun in them, their bodies hard and tan like peanuts, eyes chlorine blue—“
Kenneth was handsome. “I knew he and my sister loved each other when she made him a daisy chain and he tucked it in the pocket of his shorts”.
“I wondered if Patrick and I loved each other. He had carved cheeks, a hairless chest and floral lips, like he had been sucking on a sweet”.
“He wore a white T-shirt stuffed into his jeans, which he had rolled around his knees. With the cigarette hanging from his mouth, he look like a hobo from the desert who hunted rattlesnakes and skinned them for boots.”
Willa’s irritation might have been increasing the longer she spent time with Patrick - with good reason - but at 9 years of age she wanted to win his approval too. When Patrick asks Willa to do something embarrassing and quite disturbing.....
Willa’s reaction was twofold: sinful and pleasurable.
She says: “The vulgarity of the action made me want to laugh —it excited me in a strange way”.
Willa had one of those summers - at age 9 - that both scared her and excited her sexually.
Puberty can be a confusing time - which it was for Willa too.
We watch Willa grow- the different stages - off to college - etc.
But it was that her early -age - fascination Willa had with sex- her own desire - in the 1950’s ....
.....mixed with anxiety......associated with a shameful-secretive afternoon - a powerful game that she followed.....that might have created a permanent unconscious confusing kinky-sexual-brain-path.
That one summer......
.......those memories may have -in all likelihood- did have - a direct influence on her sexual behaviors into her adult life. We get to see just how powerful young sexual experiences can affect a person’s sense of self from body satisfaction- to sexual relationships- which can be attributed to early adolescence sexual activity.
The boys lived in San Diego, California with their mother. Three years later is ‘another’ summer. This time in sunny California— at the boys house.
A lot of life experiences took place during the summers in both British Columbia and California —- with lovely descriptive sentences-
some uncomfortable scenes to read —-
Strangely erotic scenes—
Thought provoking interesting novel - outlandish -unsettling- page turning curiosity
Coming of age —
Not a typical 50’s mother - or typical family - but real - and raw
Many wonderful lines. Here’s one I like. Willa is talking about she and her sister, Joan:
“We could sit spine to spine and align our backs and fill the notches of each other‘s vertebrae. Our bodies had matured together like trees. Two trees shoveled into the same soil, competing for sun, limbs warped and forking, needles interlocked”.
I was left with questions about the girls father… and even his relationship with his wife and brother.....but I didn’t mind not having all the answers. I like figuring these things out myself!
Loved this kooky-unconventional novel.
Thank You Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing, and Eliza Robertson
but want to get a few thoughts out now --while they are fresh:
BE WARNED -- This book is not for everyone.
Once I got past the most uncomfortable scene near the beginning --
I found myself reading sentences- and re-reading them --studying them -- in the way I might a painting -- or be enchanted by a tree in nature- - or bite into a delicious flavorful meal.
Very unique and brilliant writing!!! I liked pretty much everything about this slim book. Its a least 4.5 stars for me -- but I'm going with 5 stars --because I know I'll continue thinking about "Demi Gods".
Its too experiential to forget..... reading "Demi God's is a very private experience.
I saw the movie "call me by your name" two days ago -- (great) -- and was remembering how powerful and exceptional the 'book' was -- (the writing by Andre Aciman) --
At 'times' -author Eliza Robertson -- reminded me of Andre Aciman. They both could throw a hard ball.....(we feel it in our gut) They both could be brutal and tender -- both had beautiful prose.
Review to be continued:
I’m back.
Please forgive my blunt-crudeness- but at ‘first glance’ —on the surface —I said to myself: ( half joking - but not far from the truth) - that this is an:
All-In-The-Family-F#%k-Fest Story:
The mother’s live-in boyfriend, Eugene, is her ex-husband’s brother: her daughters uncle.
The oldest daughter, Joan, has hooked up with her Eugene’s oldest son, Kenneth.
Willa, the younger sister, has hooked up with Eugene’s youngest son, Patrick..( 2 years older than Willa).
Luke, the little brother of Joan and Willa, is the only person in this family not hooking up with a extended family member. He tags along though at times.
So...setting aside - that the couple- hookups each share a similar pattern....following mom’s example— this story belongs to Willa.
We first meet Willa when she’s 9 years old.....in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.
She’s an extremely observant child. As narrator she begins her story with this sentence:
“We must have met the brothers in 1950, because USA had defeated England in the FIFA World Cup. They arrived with the sun in them, their bodies hard and tan like peanuts, eyes chlorine blue—“
Kenneth was handsome. “I knew he and my sister loved each other when she made him a daisy chain and he tucked it in the pocket of his shorts”.
“I wondered if Patrick and I loved each other. He had carved cheeks, a hairless chest and floral lips, like he had been sucking on a sweet”.
“He wore a white T-shirt stuffed into his jeans, which he had rolled around his knees. With the cigarette hanging from his mouth, he look like a hobo from the desert who hunted rattlesnakes and skinned them for boots.”
Willa’s irritation might have been increasing the longer she spent time with Patrick - with good reason - but at 9 years of age she wanted to win his approval too. When Patrick asks Willa to do something embarrassing and quite disturbing.....
Willa’s reaction was twofold: sinful and pleasurable.
She says: “The vulgarity of the action made me want to laugh —it excited me in a strange way”.
Willa had one of those summers - at age 9 - that both scared her and excited her sexually.
Puberty can be a confusing time - which it was for Willa too.
We watch Willa grow- the different stages - off to college - etc.
But it was that her early -age - fascination Willa had with sex- her own desire - in the 1950’s ....
.....mixed with anxiety......associated with a shameful-secretive afternoon - a powerful game that she followed.....that might have created a permanent unconscious confusing kinky-sexual-brain-path.
That one summer......
.......those memories may have -in all likelihood- did have - a direct influence on her sexual behaviors into her adult life. We get to see just how powerful young sexual experiences can affect a person’s sense of self from body satisfaction- to sexual relationships- which can be attributed to early adolescence sexual activity.
The boys lived in San Diego, California with their mother. Three years later is ‘another’ summer. This time in sunny California— at the boys house.
A lot of life experiences took place during the summers in both British Columbia and California —- with lovely descriptive sentences-
some uncomfortable scenes to read —-
Strangely erotic scenes—
Thought provoking interesting novel - outlandish -unsettling- page turning curiosity
Coming of age —
Not a typical 50’s mother - or typical family - but real - and raw
Many wonderful lines. Here’s one I like. Willa is talking about she and her sister, Joan:
“We could sit spine to spine and align our backs and fill the notches of each other‘s vertebrae. Our bodies had matured together like trees. Two trees shoveled into the same soil, competing for sun, limbs warped and forking, needles interlocked”.
I was left with questions about the girls father… and even his relationship with his wife and brother.....but I didn’t mind not having all the answers. I like figuring these things out myself!
Loved this kooky-unconventional novel.
Thank You Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing, and Eliza Robertson
April 5, 2018
Don’t let the summery, slightly sexy cover of this book fool you. It’s neither as bright nor as carefree as the cover art, what with its bathing suit-clad girls and blue sky, would have you imagine.
In fact, the tale bound between the pages confines is unsettling, slightly odd.. and a tad bit incestuous.
It's essentially a story of abuse and power dynamics. The protagonist is a prepubescent girl feeling her first stirrings of attraction for her 11-year-old stepbrother, who’s taken up residence in her family’s summer home. From their first few encounters, Willa and Patrick have an off-base dynamic, one that probes the parameters of pain and pleasure, as well as appropriate and inappropriate.
And it gets weird, disturbing from there and also oddly bewitching. This book is certainly unlike anything I’ve read before, and that sort of wild reading adventure is never a bad thing. Right?
In fact, the tale bound between the pages confines is unsettling, slightly odd.. and a tad bit incestuous.
It's essentially a story of abuse and power dynamics. The protagonist is a prepubescent girl feeling her first stirrings of attraction for her 11-year-old stepbrother, who’s taken up residence in her family’s summer home. From their first few encounters, Willa and Patrick have an off-base dynamic, one that probes the parameters of pain and pleasure, as well as appropriate and inappropriate.
And it gets weird, disturbing from there and also oddly bewitching. This book is certainly unlike anything I’ve read before, and that sort of wild reading adventure is never a bad thing. Right?
July 15, 2021
I couldn’t stop reading this once I started. Yes I guess it was weird and uncomfortable to read at times but no more so than other popular books.
Each character was interesting. Although we never learn that much about any of them besides what they are doing in the moment.
What let the book down was the ending, mainly the last 20%. I felt like the novel was building up to something more meaningful and relevant than what actually happened. It describes an ‘incident’ which wasn’t very impactful at all and felt sort of irrelevant and unfinished.
Each character was interesting. Although we never learn that much about any of them besides what they are doing in the moment.
What let the book down was the ending, mainly the last 20%. I felt like the novel was building up to something more meaningful and relevant than what actually happened. It describes an ‘incident’ which wasn’t very impactful at all and felt sort of irrelevant and unfinished.
September 29, 2017
This was... bizarre. I was riveted but it was also entirely disturbed, and I'm still not sure how I exactly feel about it.
This chronicles the life of Willa. The summer of 1950 sees her burgeoning with a new understanding of the world and a new perspective of her body. She constantly compares herself to her long-legged older sister and finds herself imitating her sexual yet unstable mother. No longer secure in her own body and unsure of her place in her eclectic family, Willa's childhood fleets by her as the summer sun sets, and a more conservative and adult insight to life takes its place.
Enter step-brother, Patrick. Willa finds herself growing alarming intrigued by the darkness she senses within him, and is sucked into an an obsessive and all-absorbing relationship, that spans the next decade of her life.
This is a dark and troubling read. The ensuing relationship was of a highly sexual and degrading nature that became increasingly hard to read. With every one of Willa and Patrick's encounters swelling with emotion, this was also a captivating read I struggled to separate myself from.
Due to the nature of the plot, this became a story full of unguessable curves. I had no idea what dark path the novel was going to lead me down and, so, was constantly unprepared for the emotion that ensued with each plot facet that was unveiled. Growing ever more darker and with the suspense heightening as the pages turned, there was nothing left than for this novel to implode upon itself, with the reader's emotions caught directly in the firing line.
This is a stark and unabashed insight to the heart of an intense and disturbing relationship. It both highlighted the prevalent gender inequality of the period and the unacceptable situation that Willa, and many other women, found themselves unable to escape from. Despite the utter despair I felt, whilst reading this, the important historical insights highlighted made this a deeply moving and powerful message on gender, sexuality, mental health, family dynamics, and power struggles.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Eliza Robertson, and the publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, for this opportunity.
This chronicles the life of Willa. The summer of 1950 sees her burgeoning with a new understanding of the world and a new perspective of her body. She constantly compares herself to her long-legged older sister and finds herself imitating her sexual yet unstable mother. No longer secure in her own body and unsure of her place in her eclectic family, Willa's childhood fleets by her as the summer sun sets, and a more conservative and adult insight to life takes its place.
Enter step-brother, Patrick. Willa finds herself growing alarming intrigued by the darkness she senses within him, and is sucked into an an obsessive and all-absorbing relationship, that spans the next decade of her life.
This is a dark and troubling read. The ensuing relationship was of a highly sexual and degrading nature that became increasingly hard to read. With every one of Willa and Patrick's encounters swelling with emotion, this was also a captivating read I struggled to separate myself from.
Due to the nature of the plot, this became a story full of unguessable curves. I had no idea what dark path the novel was going to lead me down and, so, was constantly unprepared for the emotion that ensued with each plot facet that was unveiled. Growing ever more darker and with the suspense heightening as the pages turned, there was nothing left than for this novel to implode upon itself, with the reader's emotions caught directly in the firing line.
This is a stark and unabashed insight to the heart of an intense and disturbing relationship. It both highlighted the prevalent gender inequality of the period and the unacceptable situation that Willa, and many other women, found themselves unable to escape from. Despite the utter despair I felt, whilst reading this, the important historical insights highlighted made this a deeply moving and powerful message on gender, sexuality, mental health, family dynamics, and power struggles.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Eliza Robertson, and the publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, for this opportunity.
December 19, 2017
“People say teenagers think they're immortal, and I agree with that. But I think there's a difference between thinking you're immortal and knowing you can survive. Thinking you're immortal leads to arrogance, thinking you deserve the best. Surviving means having the worst thrown at you and being able to continue on despite that. It means striving for what you want most, even when it seems our of your reach, even when everything is working against you.”
----Francesca Zappia
Eliza Robertson, a Canadian award winning author, has penned a subtly compelling historical fiction called, Demi-Gods that revolves around two teenage sisters who find themselves caught in the charms of two blue-eyed, slim and terribly handsome teenage brothers who are the sons of their mother's new beau. Together the four patrons discover sexuality, first love, summertime adventures, life and themselves through mistakes and sun-kissed beach side drama. The exploration of teenage-hood is well captured through this sunny story set in the 1950s British Columbia and California.
Synopsis:
A bold debut novel for those who loved Emma Cline's The Girls and Rachel Kushner's The Flamethrowers--a story of love, lust, and the spaces in between, from a "captivating" (New York Times) new voice in fiction.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa's sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family's summer home in British Columbia. As Willa's older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world.
Demi-Gods traces the tumultuous years of Willa's coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick's wicked games. Though they see each other only a handful of times, each of their encounters is increasingly charged with sexuality and degradation. When Willa finally realizes the danger of her relationship with Patrick, she desperately tries to reverse their dynamic, with devastating results.
Daring, singular, and provocative, Demi-Gods explores a girl's attempt to make a life of her own choosing in a world where woman's independence is suspect, a world that threatens to claim a woman's body as a mere object for men's pleasure. A sensitive, playful, and entirely original evocation of the dualities within ourselves and our history, Eliza Robertson's debut novel announces the arrival of one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary literature.
Willa, a 9 year old girl, named Willa falls for the blue eyed, slim 11-year old Patrick, just like her elder sister, Joan falls head-over-heels in love with Patrick's elder brother, Kenneth on a summer of mid 50s on a beach side sleepy island town in British Columbia. Together the two pairs discover immense sexual tension against one another through out the summer. Although Willa and Patrick's love-hate relationship changed the lives of every one around them. As the girls grow up through their struggling teenage-hood, they discover more about sexuality, summer time romances, life, hate and breakups. And so the readers too can fill the rush of the first kiss, sex, having a crush and finally heart break through the sun kissed images of the four teenagers and the adults around them.
This is the first time that I read any book where the timeline jumps so abruptly and with zero connection, thereby making me fail to connect with the past and present events of the story. Not only that, there are two many characters, with or without importance, who ultimately overcrowd and steal away the limelight from the main characters. Moreover, the events mentioned in the book are not at all connected by any thin thread of relation. The only good thing about the book is it gives a summertime feel all through out the story line. Also the emotions are penned evocatively and with lots of feel that made me relate to the characters' ongoing plights.
The author's writing style is good, or rather say, she has penned the novel with striking view into the summer time mistakes and growing up of Willa and Joan. Also the story line is laced beautifully with heart felt emotions, that run deep into the souls of the main characters. The dialogues are good, but sometime, it gave me a feeling of disconnect while reading about the conversations between the characters. Well for that, the plot has to be blamed, that lacked depth thoroughly. And I must admit, often I found myself struggling to read on further.
The character development is really good, sadly the bad plot mars the charm of those characters. Yet somehow I managed to stick on to them and to their journeys. The main character, Willa, is ahead strong girl but she also comes across as an explorer in terms of life and relationships. Also the bond between Joan and Willa is compelling enough to give the readers a good feeling about sisters and their affection towards one another. The rest of the supporting characters are also vividly depicted into the plot and leaves a lasting impression into the minds of the readers.
In a nutshell, I would not recommend this book highly to anyone, but you can give it a read, if you want to feel the complex mess of relationship drama or the summertime rush of teenage madness.
Verdict: Great characters, but a rough plot plays the villain in this book!
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Bloomsbury India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Francesca Zappia
Eliza Robertson, a Canadian award winning author, has penned a subtly compelling historical fiction called, Demi-Gods that revolves around two teenage sisters who find themselves caught in the charms of two blue-eyed, slim and terribly handsome teenage brothers who are the sons of their mother's new beau. Together the four patrons discover sexuality, first love, summertime adventures, life and themselves through mistakes and sun-kissed beach side drama. The exploration of teenage-hood is well captured through this sunny story set in the 1950s British Columbia and California.
Synopsis:
A bold debut novel for those who loved Emma Cline's The Girls and Rachel Kushner's The Flamethrowers--a story of love, lust, and the spaces in between, from a "captivating" (New York Times) new voice in fiction.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa's sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family's summer home in British Columbia. As Willa's older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world.
Demi-Gods traces the tumultuous years of Willa's coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick's wicked games. Though they see each other only a handful of times, each of their encounters is increasingly charged with sexuality and degradation. When Willa finally realizes the danger of her relationship with Patrick, she desperately tries to reverse their dynamic, with devastating results.
Daring, singular, and provocative, Demi-Gods explores a girl's attempt to make a life of her own choosing in a world where woman's independence is suspect, a world that threatens to claim a woman's body as a mere object for men's pleasure. A sensitive, playful, and entirely original evocation of the dualities within ourselves and our history, Eliza Robertson's debut novel announces the arrival of one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary literature.
Willa, a 9 year old girl, named Willa falls for the blue eyed, slim 11-year old Patrick, just like her elder sister, Joan falls head-over-heels in love with Patrick's elder brother, Kenneth on a summer of mid 50s on a beach side sleepy island town in British Columbia. Together the two pairs discover immense sexual tension against one another through out the summer. Although Willa and Patrick's love-hate relationship changed the lives of every one around them. As the girls grow up through their struggling teenage-hood, they discover more about sexuality, summer time romances, life, hate and breakups. And so the readers too can fill the rush of the first kiss, sex, having a crush and finally heart break through the sun kissed images of the four teenagers and the adults around them.
This is the first time that I read any book where the timeline jumps so abruptly and with zero connection, thereby making me fail to connect with the past and present events of the story. Not only that, there are two many characters, with or without importance, who ultimately overcrowd and steal away the limelight from the main characters. Moreover, the events mentioned in the book are not at all connected by any thin thread of relation. The only good thing about the book is it gives a summertime feel all through out the story line. Also the emotions are penned evocatively and with lots of feel that made me relate to the characters' ongoing plights.
The author's writing style is good, or rather say, she has penned the novel with striking view into the summer time mistakes and growing up of Willa and Joan. Also the story line is laced beautifully with heart felt emotions, that run deep into the souls of the main characters. The dialogues are good, but sometime, it gave me a feeling of disconnect while reading about the conversations between the characters. Well for that, the plot has to be blamed, that lacked depth thoroughly. And I must admit, often I found myself struggling to read on further.
The character development is really good, sadly the bad plot mars the charm of those characters. Yet somehow I managed to stick on to them and to their journeys. The main character, Willa, is ahead strong girl but she also comes across as an explorer in terms of life and relationships. Also the bond between Joan and Willa is compelling enough to give the readers a good feeling about sisters and their affection towards one another. The rest of the supporting characters are also vividly depicted into the plot and leaves a lasting impression into the minds of the readers.
In a nutshell, I would not recommend this book highly to anyone, but you can give it a read, if you want to feel the complex mess of relationship drama or the summertime rush of teenage madness.
Verdict: Great characters, but a rough plot plays the villain in this book!
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Bloomsbury India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
September 14, 2017
First, let me just say: this book is weird. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but I think that is the one thing every reader should know before going into this because it has some weird stuff, some gruesome stuff, and some pretty horrific stuff.
With that being said, I also feel like this book is comparable to some of Canada's greatest authors like Miriam Toews and Margaret Atwood. There are many great Canadian authors but those two immediately came to my mind when reading due to the similarities in style of writing as well as content.
This was a short read but in no means was it quick. I actually felt that it took me longer to read than it would a larger book. Mainly, I attribute this to the style of writing. It was very unique and different to
the styles I typically read. It was very descriptive but it also had the dialogue integrated and not separated through the use of quotations.
I didn't have any idea of where the story would go from beginning to end. It was an interesting concept and it felt like we read the important events of this main character's (Willa's) life. I think it was an interesting depiction of both how the large moments impacted her life as well as the 'mediocrity' of an average life. Additionally, it was intriguing to read of how different relationships developed and how they evolved through her lifetime.
Definitely a unique and different read for me. I applaud Eliza Robertson as this is her debut novel and it really was written like a longtime novelist. I will be looking for more written by her in the future!
**Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
With that being said, I also feel like this book is comparable to some of Canada's greatest authors like Miriam Toews and Margaret Atwood. There are many great Canadian authors but those two immediately came to my mind when reading due to the similarities in style of writing as well as content.
This was a short read but in no means was it quick. I actually felt that it took me longer to read than it would a larger book. Mainly, I attribute this to the style of writing. It was very unique and different to
the styles I typically read. It was very descriptive but it also had the dialogue integrated and not separated through the use of quotations.
I didn't have any idea of where the story would go from beginning to end. It was an interesting concept and it felt like we read the important events of this main character's (Willa's) life. I think it was an interesting depiction of both how the large moments impacted her life as well as the 'mediocrity' of an average life. Additionally, it was intriguing to read of how different relationships developed and how they evolved through her lifetime.
Definitely a unique and different read for me. I applaud Eliza Robertson as this is her debut novel and it really was written like a longtime novelist. I will be looking for more written by her in the future!
**Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
March 11, 2020
While Demi-Gods is a gloriously dreamy and atmospheric read, teeming with nostalgia, it is also strange and at times, very dark.
I adored everything about the writing, but I'm not sure how I felt about the story and its characters. It's one of those coming-of-age, sexual awakening stories that teeters between weird and whimsical. It reminded me of The End of Everything by Megan Abbott, but I liked this book better.
Willa is growing up in the 50s and develops a strange, obsessive, abusive, and sexual relationship with her step brother. Over the years their encounters grow increasingly intense and deviant, all against a languid, breezy summer backdrop. It's a story they will stick with you long after you've read the last page.
I adored everything about the writing, but I'm not sure how I felt about the story and its characters. It's one of those coming-of-age, sexual awakening stories that teeters between weird and whimsical. It reminded me of The End of Everything by Megan Abbott, but I liked this book better.
Willa is growing up in the 50s and develops a strange, obsessive, abusive, and sexual relationship with her step brother. Over the years their encounters grow increasingly intense and deviant, all against a languid, breezy summer backdrop. It's a story they will stick with you long after you've read the last page.
August 19, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Sexually charged, mildly disturbing... a lethargic, eerie examination of teen life.
Occasionally, you come across a book that's more about capturing a 'feeling' rather than telling a story. >Demi-Gods is definitely a novel of that ilk; quite captivating,, emotive, but ultimately, there's not much of a plot.
The story follows Willa and her older sister Joan, initially at the cusp of puberty; and their mother, Eugene (the mother's boyfriend) and his two sons. Willa is fairly feisty and intelligent throughout (the 'bookish' one, unlike her sister, who is the beauty), and forms a relationship of sorts with Patrick, whose behaviour is sinister at best. The nature of their relationship is both beautifully captured, and somewhat distasteful to read - without ruining anything, it's highly unhealthy, and there were a few scenes that were almost borderline abusive.
As the book progresses, so too does Willa get older, though the book felt a little rushed at the end - with the sudden leap from childhood to adulthood, without much in the middle. It would have been good to have this fleshed out a little, as I still didn't feel I 'knew' Willa by the end of the book, though perhaps this was exactly the kind of elusiveness that the author was trying to capture.
Overall though, a good read. Real stand-out points are the author's ability to set the scene (British Columbia) and encapsulate the vibe of laid-back 1950s / 60s summers.
Sexually charged, mildly disturbing... a lethargic, eerie examination of teen life.
Occasionally, you come across a book that's more about capturing a 'feeling' rather than telling a story. >Demi-Gods is definitely a novel of that ilk; quite captivating,, emotive, but ultimately, there's not much of a plot.
The story follows Willa and her older sister Joan, initially at the cusp of puberty; and their mother, Eugene (the mother's boyfriend) and his two sons. Willa is fairly feisty and intelligent throughout (the 'bookish' one, unlike her sister, who is the beauty), and forms a relationship of sorts with Patrick, whose behaviour is sinister at best. The nature of their relationship is both beautifully captured, and somewhat distasteful to read - without ruining anything, it's highly unhealthy, and there were a few scenes that were almost borderline abusive.
As the book progresses, so too does Willa get older, though the book felt a little rushed at the end - with the sudden leap from childhood to adulthood, without much in the middle. It would have been good to have this fleshed out a little, as I still didn't feel I 'knew' Willa by the end of the book, though perhaps this was exactly the kind of elusiveness that the author was trying to capture.
Overall though, a good read. Real stand-out points are the author's ability to set the scene (British Columbia) and encapsulate the vibe of laid-back 1950s / 60s summers.
October 14, 2017
Oookay. This is going to go down as one of the most bizarre and uncomfortable books I've ever read. I struggled a lot with Demi-Gods and never felt invested in the slow-moving plot or any of the characters' lives. I did not care one whit for these people. Not a one.
The focus of the book seemed to be the strange and sexually charged scenes which felt like they were added for shock value to give the book that edgy feel that people will talk about. All that did was left me with an uncomfortable, icky feel and it didn't feel like these scenes even advanced the narrative.
I was also frustrated by the book's lack of focus. Was it Willa? Was it Patrick in relation to Willa? Why don't we get an explanation about why Patrick is the way he is? Why do we miss so much of Willa's life? In the end I was left with so many questions. It felt like readers were only given snapshots into the characters' lives but without any sort of character development or explanation as to how they got to be so messed up. My frustration had me repeatedly putting the book down and taking a breather from it. Not a good sign.
While there were moments of beautiful, descriptive writing about the era and landscape of Western Canada, overall, I was disappointed with this book. It was an odd read, that I continually struggled to get into (never actually attaining that feat). The subject matter was extremely uncomfortable and with its slower pace, anticlimactic ending and characters and events that I couldn't relate to, this just wasn't a book for me.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Hamish Hamilton Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The focus of the book seemed to be the strange and sexually charged scenes which felt like they were added for shock value to give the book that edgy feel that people will talk about. All that did was left me with an uncomfortable, icky feel and it didn't feel like these scenes even advanced the narrative.
I was also frustrated by the book's lack of focus. Was it Willa? Was it Patrick in relation to Willa? Why don't we get an explanation about why Patrick is the way he is? Why do we miss so much of Willa's life? In the end I was left with so many questions. It felt like readers were only given snapshots into the characters' lives but without any sort of character development or explanation as to how they got to be so messed up. My frustration had me repeatedly putting the book down and taking a breather from it. Not a good sign.
While there were moments of beautiful, descriptive writing about the era and landscape of Western Canada, overall, I was disappointed with this book. It was an odd read, that I continually struggled to get into (never actually attaining that feat). The subject matter was extremely uncomfortable and with its slower pace, anticlimactic ending and characters and events that I couldn't relate to, this just wasn't a book for me.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Hamish Hamilton Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 10, 2020
Demi-Gods by Eliza Robertson is a magnificent, little gem of a book that will read like a tale you would have picked up in English class.
Seriously, Eliza's writing feels like it should be in a hall of fame somewhere. The way she crafted the story was marvelous and I'm thoroughly impressed by her skill. And this was only a debut?! Imagine how much better she's going to get.
But, despite it being this masterpiece of a book, it was honestly not for me. I didn't enjoy this book one bit. I wanted to DNF it, but I also wanted to finish it because Eliza's writing deserved the respect of a finished read. It wasn't the writing style or the tone, it was just the plot that had me feeling kinda 'meh'. I felt like I didn't know where this book was going and by the end I still didn't feel like it had a concrete beginning, middle and end. Despite it being a contemporary beauty, it just felt like a story not a novel.
There's lots of strange familial/non-familial incest in this book. Lots of hookups with the new boyfriend's kids and strange ties throughout the story. It's an unsettling story, but Eliza makes it intriguing. I would say this book is not for the faint of heart, easily.
We watch Willa's life and family dynamics change as she experiments with sex and emotions, all in the 50s. It's dark, unsettling, bizarre, and abusive at times. The entire family turns out to have issues and you watch how people influence each other and take on each other's traits.
My biggest con was the lack of quotation marks in my copy. I couldn't tell what was supposed to be dialogue every once and a while, so I'd have to go back and re-read sections over and over, which just distracted me more than anything.
If I could have my wish, I would want this examined or explained to me. Why was this book made this way? What are the themes? I want an English Professor to break it down because I think this is the perfect book to be analyzed. There's something there that I'm not seeing. Oh, how I miss those high school days with English essays... just me?
I would say this book is in a niche market. You'll either love it or you won't. I can see why so many people love it, but it's just not for me. I can totally appreciate it and I think Eliza deserves all the cred, but it's just not a book I'll pick up again. All the love!
One out of five stars.
Seriously, Eliza's writing feels like it should be in a hall of fame somewhere. The way she crafted the story was marvelous and I'm thoroughly impressed by her skill. And this was only a debut?! Imagine how much better she's going to get.
But, despite it being this masterpiece of a book, it was honestly not for me. I didn't enjoy this book one bit. I wanted to DNF it, but I also wanted to finish it because Eliza's writing deserved the respect of a finished read. It wasn't the writing style or the tone, it was just the plot that had me feeling kinda 'meh'. I felt like I didn't know where this book was going and by the end I still didn't feel like it had a concrete beginning, middle and end. Despite it being a contemporary beauty, it just felt like a story not a novel.
There's lots of strange familial/non-familial incest in this book. Lots of hookups with the new boyfriend's kids and strange ties throughout the story. It's an unsettling story, but Eliza makes it intriguing. I would say this book is not for the faint of heart, easily.
We watch Willa's life and family dynamics change as she experiments with sex and emotions, all in the 50s. It's dark, unsettling, bizarre, and abusive at times. The entire family turns out to have issues and you watch how people influence each other and take on each other's traits.
My biggest con was the lack of quotation marks in my copy. I couldn't tell what was supposed to be dialogue every once and a while, so I'd have to go back and re-read sections over and over, which just distracted me more than anything.
If I could have my wish, I would want this examined or explained to me. Why was this book made this way? What are the themes? I want an English Professor to break it down because I think this is the perfect book to be analyzed. There's something there that I'm not seeing. Oh, how I miss those high school days with English essays... just me?
I would say this book is in a niche market. You'll either love it or you won't. I can see why so many people love it, but it's just not for me. I can totally appreciate it and I think Eliza deserves all the cred, but it's just not a book I'll pick up again. All the love!
One out of five stars.
September 18, 2017
Saying that this book is weird is an understatement. I just don't understand it.
I won it in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I won it in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2018
The disturbing narrative of Willa and her sexualised and abusive relationship with Patrick definitely doesn’t match this jacket. Where this book faltered for me is in its tension-building. The structure is simple: the six times these two characters meet. You know something awful will happen each time and yet Robertson doesn’t effectively build tension and discomfort. So this had potential but it never got to the heights it claimed (The Flamethrowers and The Girls comparisons are way off).
December 21, 2017
I won’t argue, there were parts of Eliza Robertson’s debut novel, Demi-Gods, that bordered on gratuitous. It’s important to mention that because some readers will abandon the book after they encounter a particular scene in the first chapter. Not me. I was hooked from page one, intrigued by the complex relationships and charmed by Robertson’s writing.
It’s 1950 and the lives of nine-year-old Willa and twelve-year-old Joan are transformed when their mother, a cocktail-swilling divorcee, invites her new lover and his two sons, Kenneth and Patrick, to stay at the family’s summer-house on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. The attraction between Joan and Kenneth is immediate and as they pair off, Willa is left in the company of the sly and unnerving Patrick. Patrick both intrigues and repulses Willa and the story focuses on the complex power dynamic that unfolds between them during the six times they meet in the following decades.
In the intervals between, we didn’t exist. He didn’t exist to me. I didn’t exist to him.
The story is told as short episodes. Robertson maintains the tension with subtle shifts in family alliances. Although the characters appear to be set on a particular trajectory, the power shifts give their relationships depth and complexity.
For the first time, I felt glad that Joan wasn’t there. They loved her so effortlessly, boys.
Every now and then Mom surfaced to say something sweet or mean to us. More often, she directed her comment to Joan, and more often, it was mean. She said things like, “I once saw a skirt just like that, on a whore in Vancouver.”
Robertson’s writing is superb, filled with both lush descriptions –
Sun filled the leaves – the arbutus trunks plump with it, a warm gauze of light thickening the air between their boughs and the boughs of the fir trees. There is a pigment where green becomes gold, I think. You see it in apples. And the gaps between branches.
and intricate detail, from the smell of a seaside town, ‘…waffle cones, boat bilge, the musk of warm ropes’, to bits that reveal so much more – “…leaning against the kitchen counter – the ease of his stance undermined by how his fingers clamped the coffee cup.’
Robertson introduces a number of themes in Demi-Gods but power and control dominate. Although Patrick and Willa’s meetings follow a pattern, the dynamic shifts over time. Despite the façade of control, Patrick is ultimately an uncertain teen, testing his strength in an adult world. Equally, Willa, who at first appears compliant, has a tenacity and self-assurance that emerges as the story progresses – “People often lied to me, and I pretended not to notice.” The climax is dark and surprising.
I began 2017 with Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth – this book had similarities, notably the slow build and the exploration of the layered and conditional loyalties unique to families. The descriptions of family relationships reminded me of The Forrests by Emily Perkins and the menacing undertone brought to mind Ottessa Moshfegh’s Eileen. I can’t wait to read what Robertson writes next.
4/5 This is a book that will divide readers. I was riveted.
I received my copy of Demi-Gods from the publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
It’s 1950 and the lives of nine-year-old Willa and twelve-year-old Joan are transformed when their mother, a cocktail-swilling divorcee, invites her new lover and his two sons, Kenneth and Patrick, to stay at the family’s summer-house on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. The attraction between Joan and Kenneth is immediate and as they pair off, Willa is left in the company of the sly and unnerving Patrick. Patrick both intrigues and repulses Willa and the story focuses on the complex power dynamic that unfolds between them during the six times they meet in the following decades.
In the intervals between, we didn’t exist. He didn’t exist to me. I didn’t exist to him.
The story is told as short episodes. Robertson maintains the tension with subtle shifts in family alliances. Although the characters appear to be set on a particular trajectory, the power shifts give their relationships depth and complexity.
For the first time, I felt glad that Joan wasn’t there. They loved her so effortlessly, boys.
Every now and then Mom surfaced to say something sweet or mean to us. More often, she directed her comment to Joan, and more often, it was mean. She said things like, “I once saw a skirt just like that, on a whore in Vancouver.”
Robertson’s writing is superb, filled with both lush descriptions –
Sun filled the leaves – the arbutus trunks plump with it, a warm gauze of light thickening the air between their boughs and the boughs of the fir trees. There is a pigment where green becomes gold, I think. You see it in apples. And the gaps between branches.
and intricate detail, from the smell of a seaside town, ‘…waffle cones, boat bilge, the musk of warm ropes’, to bits that reveal so much more – “…leaning against the kitchen counter – the ease of his stance undermined by how his fingers clamped the coffee cup.’
Robertson introduces a number of themes in Demi-Gods but power and control dominate. Although Patrick and Willa’s meetings follow a pattern, the dynamic shifts over time. Despite the façade of control, Patrick is ultimately an uncertain teen, testing his strength in an adult world. Equally, Willa, who at first appears compliant, has a tenacity and self-assurance that emerges as the story progresses – “People often lied to me, and I pretended not to notice.” The climax is dark and surprising.
I began 2017 with Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth – this book had similarities, notably the slow build and the exploration of the layered and conditional loyalties unique to families. The descriptions of family relationships reminded me of The Forrests by Emily Perkins and the menacing undertone brought to mind Ottessa Moshfegh’s Eileen. I can’t wait to read what Robertson writes next.
4/5 This is a book that will divide readers. I was riveted.
I received my copy of Demi-Gods from the publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2017
Demi-Gods is a coming of age novel starring Willa. At the beginning of the novel she's nine years old and it's 1950, and her family - mom, older sister, younger brother - is settling down at the beach house for the summer. This is where she meets her step-brothers for the first time. Let me say that they're not technically her step-brothers because her mom and their dad aren't married, but they're still considered a family as the boys call Willa's mom Aunt Dolly. Patrick is two years older than Willa and Kenneth is a few years older than Willa's sister, Joan.
The problem with this novel is that it's trying too hard to be edgy. It's 'edgy' to be edgy, it's not edgy because it is. Every moment of shock-value felt forced and not at all melded into the narrative. The shock-value itself was uninspiring and often quite disturbing. Shock-value doesn't have to be disturbing to be shock-value, you know? More on that later.
There was no plot to Demi-Gods. This can be completely fine within a novel if it's the novel's purpose, but this novel felt like it should've had one. I think Robertson was going for a literary novel, but I felt it fell short of the mark. The lack of quotation marks was obviously a stylistic choice, as well as a literary device in my opinion, but it, again, felt forced and unnecessary.
If this novel was about Willa, then it failed. She had become such an interesting girl and we only ever got a glimpse of her. It was the late 50s and she was in college! Tell me about her in college. Don't tell me about Patrick rubbing her nails raw. If this novel was about Willa in relation to Patrick, it still failed. The entire last chapter or so didn't feature or mention him (except once in passing about his son), and instead focused on Willa and her mother. So was the story about Willa and her mother? Her attempting to not turn into her mother? I honestly don't know, and I can't be the only one.
Every single character felt unrealistic and forced, especially Willa's mother, and eventually her sister. The only one who felt semi-real was Willa and that was when she was nine and again in the later sections for a split-second here and another one there.
Was the relationship with Patrick supposed to be sexy? Was I supposed to root for them? I didn't. His sexual attraction to her came with degradation and abuse and I found it disturbing rather than interesting. We never got any explanation as to why he was that way; the only thing we got was that he was being punished for "something to do with a dog" and that's why he was sent to the beach house when Eugene was away. Um, what? So is he a psychopath then? Was there a point of mentioning an "incident" with a dog? The only thing I can think of is that were to supposed to assume he was psychotic, but again we never got any explanation. The scene between them on the yacht with the clothesline pins... I don't know where to begin to unpack that and I don't want to. Again, it was disturbing and it made me consider DNFing this book. I pushed through because I figured there was going to be an ending, a plot-finisher, anything... nope. WHAT was the point?!
Super quickly - the cover is misleading and far too cutesy for this novel and whoever a-okayed it didn't really think it through.
(*I got this book from the publisher through a Goodreads Giveaway*)
The problem with this novel is that it's trying too hard to be edgy. It's 'edgy' to be edgy, it's not edgy because it is. Every moment of shock-value felt forced and not at all melded into the narrative. The shock-value itself was uninspiring and often quite disturbing. Shock-value doesn't have to be disturbing to be shock-value, you know? More on that later.
There was no plot to Demi-Gods. This can be completely fine within a novel if it's the novel's purpose, but this novel felt like it should've had one. I think Robertson was going for a literary novel, but I felt it fell short of the mark. The lack of quotation marks was obviously a stylistic choice, as well as a literary device in my opinion, but it, again, felt forced and unnecessary.
If this novel was about Willa, then it failed. She had become such an interesting girl and we only ever got a glimpse of her. It was the late 50s and she was in college! Tell me about her in college. Don't tell me about Patrick rubbing her nails raw. If this novel was about Willa in relation to Patrick, it still failed. The entire last chapter or so didn't feature or mention him (except once in passing about his son), and instead focused on Willa and her mother. So was the story about Willa and her mother? Her attempting to not turn into her mother? I honestly don't know, and I can't be the only one.
Every single character felt unrealistic and forced, especially Willa's mother, and eventually her sister. The only one who felt semi-real was Willa and that was when she was nine and again in the later sections for a split-second here and another one there.
Was the relationship with Patrick supposed to be sexy? Was I supposed to root for them? I didn't. His sexual attraction to her came with degradation and abuse and I found it disturbing rather than interesting. We never got any explanation as to why he was that way; the only thing we got was that he was being punished for "something to do with a dog" and that's why he was sent to the beach house when Eugene was away. Um, what? So is he a psychopath then? Was there a point of mentioning an "incident" with a dog? The only thing I can think of is that were to supposed to assume he was psychotic, but again we never got any explanation. The scene between them on the yacht with the clothesline pins... I don't know where to begin to unpack that and I don't want to. Again, it was disturbing and it made me consider DNFing this book. I pushed through because I figured there was going to be an ending, a plot-finisher, anything... nope. WHAT was the point?!
Super quickly - the cover is misleading and far too cutesy for this novel and whoever a-okayed it didn't really think it through.
(*I got this book from the publisher through a Goodreads Giveaway*)
May 5, 2024
This is just a really weird book. It's one of those fancy literature types, where there are no quotation marks and everything is told in a long, lyrical fashion and teens who are like step-siblings have relationships, ya know. Set in the 1950s, Willa lives with her mom, older sister, and younger brother in Canada. But things change when her two stepbrothers arrive, with her older sister seemingly pairing off with one, leaving Willa stuck with Patrick. The encounters the two have are... special and will be triggering for some. This is not a book for the faint of heart. There's no real plot, just a sort of meandering passage of time, told as Willa relates more accounts of her encounters with Patrick and family. Robertson makes some good points about women having no control over their bodies in this time period, but otherwise it doesn't feel like there's much here. It's hard even to care much for Willa, despite what happens to her, and the plot is just inexplicable at times. 2 stars.
August 14, 2017
I was especially interested to read this book, because I love books set in the 50s. It didn't dissapoint, at all. It was well-written, and it was one of those books that was really hard to put down. I kept saying "just one more chapter" at night, before bed, and then I'd end up reading more and not getting enough sleep! It was just...addicting. It was a nice and slow place, too, the book. And I loved the idea and premise of the book - a woman trying to make her way in the world at a point in time where women were looked down upon if they were too independant. That's the kind of idea we need to keep hearing about in books, because it is, in ways, still true. An enjoyable read, with quality ideas in it. Very much enjoyed it.
November 21, 2017
Wonderfully dark and rich and kinkily erotic. I don't know if I've ever read a book that focused as much on women looking at men, in the way that men usually look at women. Ambitious and admirable. It reminded me of Elena Ferrante mixed with Mary Gaitskill.
June 26, 2025
demasiado woke para mí
November 27, 2017
Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Bloomsbury India for providing me with a review copy of this book. The thoughts, opinions and feelings expressed in this review, are however, my own!
Okay; I am gonna do my best to actually be unbiased in my review; even with all the feelings this book induced in me. On the face of it; this book looks to be a short read, but it took me a week to get through it!
It was the premise of the book that had me requesting to review; a coming of age book in an era that had the most interesting times – but in all honesty; it’s the flayed writing style that pulls down the book right from the start.
This book is a journey of sexual awakenings of a young teenage girl in the mid-1950s – a journey that happened in the midst of a dysfunctional familial relationships and not so ideal role models.
This journey of sexual awakenings, which at times ended up being not only cruel; disgusting and cringe – worthy – but all of these could have been just as interesting as the blurb, if the writing style had been strong enough to support the story!
Willa and Patrick’s “relationship” is honestly at the forefront of the book; interspaced with the esteem issues that any young girl goes through; but the world depicted here seems more fantastical than real (including hints of orgy, almost pedophilia and sexual deviancy!) that is so flagrantly displayed that it feels as if it could not have been real, especially in the era that was in the background here.
The plot twist, that honestly should have happened in about 50%-60% , even if I highly doubt it could have saved the book; happened at about 98% and didn’t have the grace to save the plot!
I do, lastly believe; that if the writing style could have been a bit stronger, I do believe it would have been an enjoyable venture.
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page
Okay; I am gonna do my best to actually be unbiased in my review; even with all the feelings this book induced in me. On the face of it; this book looks to be a short read, but it took me a week to get through it!
It was the premise of the book that had me requesting to review; a coming of age book in an era that had the most interesting times – but in all honesty; it’s the flayed writing style that pulls down the book right from the start.
This book is a journey of sexual awakenings of a young teenage girl in the mid-1950s – a journey that happened in the midst of a dysfunctional familial relationships and not so ideal role models.
This journey of sexual awakenings, which at times ended up being not only cruel; disgusting and cringe – worthy – but all of these could have been just as interesting as the blurb, if the writing style had been strong enough to support the story!
Willa and Patrick’s “relationship” is honestly at the forefront of the book; interspaced with the esteem issues that any young girl goes through; but the world depicted here seems more fantastical than real (including hints of orgy, almost pedophilia and sexual deviancy!) that is so flagrantly displayed that it feels as if it could not have been real, especially in the era that was in the background here.
The plot twist, that honestly should have happened in about 50%-60% , even if I highly doubt it could have saved the book; happened at about 98% and didn’t have the grace to save the plot!
I do, lastly believe; that if the writing style could have been a bit stronger, I do believe it would have been an enjoyable venture.
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page
December 1, 2017
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Disclaimer: I recieved a review copy of the book from Bloomsbury India. That doesn't effect my review. All thoughts are my own.
Disclaimer: I recieved a review copy of the book from Bloomsbury India. That doesn't effect my review. All thoughts are my own.
Demi – Gods, is a coming-of-age novel majorly set in the 50s and 60s. It is the debut novel of the author Eliza Robertson and it has a gorgeous cover. Precisely, these are the only two things I liked about the novel.
Demi – Gods is dark, disturbing and sexually >charged, but not in a good way. Rather in kind of a gross and disgusting way. It seemed like the author tried too hard to make it a literary master piece.
I’m still not sure what/who the novel was about. It absolutely lacked a plot. It would have been fine if it was exactly what was intended but it seemed like Robertson tried to have one. You get it?
Was it about Willa? Or was it about her and Patrick’s relationship? Or was it about something else all together? Which ever it was, I guess it failed to establish it.
The development seemed forceful, the timeline jumps were super abrupt and I found the characters unrealistic. I had a hard time trying to get into the story and as well as getting through with it. The writing style too fell short.
I really expected to enjoy this novel as the blurb seemed to be exactly what I was in a mood for.
The novel had a lot of potential and that is why I’m really disappointed. Instead of introducing so many characters and messing it all together, the author should have focused more on Willa. Her character - the plot, should have been explored more. Much part of it felt incomplete.
My Verdict: This book was definitely not for me and I will not highly recommend it to anyone. But can be given a read with the cautionary warning: It is really a strange and disturbing novel.I will give a 2.5 – 3 stars.
November 22, 2017
The story begins in 1950’s. Willa along with her family – her mother , elder sister Joan and younger brother are settled in a beach house during the summer season. Her mother has a new beau and this is where she meets her step-brothers Patrick and Kenneth (technically not since her mother isn’t married to this new beau yet and Patrick later in the book refers Willa’s mother as “Aunt”) . Joan eventually ends up with Kenneth who is a few years older than her and Willa gets attracted to Patrick.
Now this is where I lost the plot.
The book sounds intense and intimidating if you read the blurb but the plot failed right from the beginning. The writing style didn’t work for me. Lack of quotations marks and the choice of words were a complete let down. The book picked up pace after some 80 pages but lost track again. Was the novel about Willa? Or her relation with Patrick? I couldn’t understand because nothing was described properly. The characterization wasn’t up to the mark.
The cover didn’t work for me at all. Maybe the author wanted to portray a beach like scene (since the novel begins in a beach house in summers) but it doesn’t suit the plot.
The only thing I liked about Demi-Gods were a few quotes (without quotation marks) and the idea that the author has in her mind while penning down her debut novel.
The novel might work for you but it didn’t work for me. Not Recommended.
Now this is where I lost the plot.
The book sounds intense and intimidating if you read the blurb but the plot failed right from the beginning. The writing style didn’t work for me. Lack of quotations marks and the choice of words were a complete let down. The book picked up pace after some 80 pages but lost track again. Was the novel about Willa? Or her relation with Patrick? I couldn’t understand because nothing was described properly. The characterization wasn’t up to the mark.
The cover didn’t work for me at all. Maybe the author wanted to portray a beach like scene (since the novel begins in a beach house in summers) but it doesn’t suit the plot.
The only thing I liked about Demi-Gods were a few quotes (without quotation marks) and the idea that the author has in her mind while penning down her debut novel.
The novel might work for you but it didn’t work for me. Not Recommended.
August 25, 2022
Was not a fan. It felt like the entire book was trying to make so many different statements but none of them were written well enough to make an impact or actually say anything. Also just felt kind of exploitative in the way the abuse was written, the abuse felt sexualized which assault should not be written as. Not a fan!!!
January 15, 2023
Dissapointing ending! Lack of promised devastating results! I absolutely adore the style of writing, which is very similar to Emma Cline’s, The Girls. A lot of things in this book were very confusing to me, especially the relationship logistics…. This could have been a really amazing book, but it felt rushed and lots of jumping between parts.
June 28, 2021
3 Stars
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
“The funny thing about shadows is they absorb each other. You can’t see where one ends and another begins.” - Demi-Gods.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa’s sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family’s summer home in British Columbia. As Willa’s older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world. This story traces the tumultuous years of Willa’s coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick’s wicked games.
I really love character driven stories, and this one was just that. The story follows Willa over the course of many years as she grows up and drawn into the games of Patrick and the rest of her family. This book also explores some dynamics around power and control, and manipulation. Overall, this book is hard to describe because it is so character driven, and it left me with more questions than answers. I really liked the story and was interested in the characters, but was left feeling like I needed and wanted more. I wish certain aspects were expanded upon more, especially towards the ending. I think this is an unique story though, and I would be interested in reading other works from this author.
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
“The funny thing about shadows is they absorb each other. You can’t see where one ends and another begins.” - Demi-Gods.
It is 1950, and nine-year-old Willa’s sheltered childhood is about to come to an end when her two new stepbrothers arrive at her family’s summer home in British Columbia. As Willa’s older sister pairs off with the older of these boys, Willa finds herself alone in the off-kilter company of the younger, Patrick. When, one afternoon, Patrick lures Willa into a dilapidated rowboat, Willa embarks upon an increasingly damaging relationship with Patrick, one that will forever reconfigure her understanding of herself and her place in a menacing, male-dominated world. This story traces the tumultuous years of Willa’s coming-of-age, as she is drawn further into Patrick’s wicked games.
I really love character driven stories, and this one was just that. The story follows Willa over the course of many years as she grows up and drawn into the games of Patrick and the rest of her family. This book also explores some dynamics around power and control, and manipulation. Overall, this book is hard to describe because it is so character driven, and it left me with more questions than answers. I really liked the story and was interested in the characters, but was left feeling like I needed and wanted more. I wish certain aspects were expanded upon more, especially towards the ending. I think this is an unique story though, and I would be interested in reading other works from this author.
January 27, 2021
This was honestly fine but read like a first draft. The potencial was there but it felt underdeveloped and kind of weak, like she knew what she was trying to say but couldn't be bothered to put an effort into it.
January 28, 2021
really distant writing which i love (think normal people by sally rooney) but wont be for everyone
October 26, 2017
Summertime in the early 1950s. Willa and her older sister Joan would like to have a relaxing time at their summer home together with their mom. But the mother has a new lover, Eugene, and to the girls‘ surprise, Eugene has invited his two sons to spend the summer with them. Kenneth and Patrick are slightly older than the girls immediately attract their attention. No, they definitely are not like brothers and sisters, Joan and Kenneth quickly fall for each other. For Willa and Patrick things are not that easy. Over the next years, they regularly meet and between Willa and Patrick a strange connection is formed. On the one hand, the boy can arouse feelings in her, but on the other, what he is doing to her repels her and she senses that his behaviour is far from being normal and acceptable. But what is there she can to about it? It will take years until she can free herself.
“Demi-God” – according to the Merriam-Webster definition, it is a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less than a god or a person so outstanding as to seem to approach the divine. For all female members of the family, the male counterparts are somehow demi-gods, at least in so far as they cannot refrain from their attraction. The mother is charmed by Eugene, Joan falls for Kenneth and also Willa has a special liking for Patrick. It is not quite clear what makes those three that outstanding, but their appeal is obvious. They can exert power over the women in different ways, but it is only Patrick how openly abuses this.
Before coming to this, what I liked especially about the novel was the atmosphere. You can sense immediately that Eliza Robertson is great at creating certain moods and you actually can feel this carefree time of being young during summer holidays when the days seem endless, when the sun is shining and when there are no worries and fears. I also appreciated her characters, first of all the mother who is neither completely stereotypical but nevertheless clearly represents a certain kind of woman of her time. In the focus of the novel are the girls and their relationship. It is not always easy to be sisters, at times they can confide in each other, at others they can’t. Yet, there is something like unconditional love between them, if one needs the other, she can surely count on her.
In this nice and loving ambiance now enters the evil that can be found in human beings. To name it openly, the novel is about sexual abuse, about menacing and exerting power over a weaker person. Willa is first too young, then unsure of how to react and how to qualify what happens to her. It is not the all bad and awful situation – this is what makes the novel especially impressive. It only happens at single instances, partly, she isn’t even sure if she did actually refuse it or even contributed to it happening. This makes it even more awful, because the girl is left alone with her feelings and worries. She plays normal and hides what has happened. It does not take much to imagine that there might be millions of girls out there suffering from the same abuse and feeling helpless and powerless.
Thus, the novel takes up a very serious topic and hopefully some readers might recognize that what Willa is going through is far from acceptable and can find a way of seeking help if they are in need.
“Demi-God” – according to the Merriam-Webster definition, it is a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less than a god or a person so outstanding as to seem to approach the divine. For all female members of the family, the male counterparts are somehow demi-gods, at least in so far as they cannot refrain from their attraction. The mother is charmed by Eugene, Joan falls for Kenneth and also Willa has a special liking for Patrick. It is not quite clear what makes those three that outstanding, but their appeal is obvious. They can exert power over the women in different ways, but it is only Patrick how openly abuses this.
Before coming to this, what I liked especially about the novel was the atmosphere. You can sense immediately that Eliza Robertson is great at creating certain moods and you actually can feel this carefree time of being young during summer holidays when the days seem endless, when the sun is shining and when there are no worries and fears. I also appreciated her characters, first of all the mother who is neither completely stereotypical but nevertheless clearly represents a certain kind of woman of her time. In the focus of the novel are the girls and their relationship. It is not always easy to be sisters, at times they can confide in each other, at others they can’t. Yet, there is something like unconditional love between them, if one needs the other, she can surely count on her.
In this nice and loving ambiance now enters the evil that can be found in human beings. To name it openly, the novel is about sexual abuse, about menacing and exerting power over a weaker person. Willa is first too young, then unsure of how to react and how to qualify what happens to her. It is not the all bad and awful situation – this is what makes the novel especially impressive. It only happens at single instances, partly, she isn’t even sure if she did actually refuse it or even contributed to it happening. This makes it even more awful, because the girl is left alone with her feelings and worries. She plays normal and hides what has happened. It does not take much to imagine that there might be millions of girls out there suffering from the same abuse and feeling helpless and powerless.
Thus, the novel takes up a very serious topic and hopefully some readers might recognize that what Willa is going through is far from acceptable and can find a way of seeking help if they are in need.
March 13, 2018
Demi – Gods is a coming of age novel written by Eliza Robertson. This book is lyrical in its prose and skims over one of the touchy topics, that is, exploring one’s sexual feelings and the realisation that you’re capable of feeling it too. This discovery is often obtained on the onset of puberty/during adolescence; it confuses you and at the same time you are curious to know more. At times, a person might feel guilty because there is always a taboo associated to sex. In Demi – Gods, the narrative is such that it retains the dark vibe yet, doesn’t state anything explicitly which makes you more curious. The storyline is somewhat disturbing (not in a bad way), unsettling and obscure in its approach.
Set in the 1950s, the plotline mainly revolves around Joan and Willa who get drawn to their step-brothers when her mother finds a new beau for herself. Joan gets drawn towards the charismatic Kenneth while Willa, the younger sister pairs off with the solitary younger brother, Patrick. The book focuses more on the relationship of Patrick and Willa than the relationship between Kenneth and Joan. Willa, the nine-year-old, develops a dangerous attraction towards Patrick and well, her hormones are all over the place.
The book compiles the episodes, explaining the transition in the characters and accounts Willa’s and Joana’s reactions to the relationships that they indulge themselves to. Willa is torn between the eroticism of the relation and at the same time she is repulsive towards her own actions. She is surprised by the thought that Patrick has so much control over her. Eliza Robertson narrates the episodes and puts them together in short comprised chapters without letting off the complexity of the characters off the hook.
When I first started reading it, I was a bit confused with the plot due to the whole scene shifts. Gradually, as I kept turning the pages, the whole idea and the concept became clearer to me. The storyline has this summery beach vibe to it. The book covers the episodes over the time span, 1950 to 2001 and with each passing year, the transformation in the characters were visible to me.
MY FINAL VERDICT
I would say that this was a fairly disturbing read for me but I always try to keep an open mind and hence, I am not offended by any ideas, no matter how bizarre they might seem. Choosing to explore this concept, creating such complex characters and writing with such precision and laying out the details in such a compact manner is truly a sign of a seasoned writer. Though I was a bit taken aback by the multiple scene shifts which I felt created a disconnection in the plotline and for a concept as this, the narration could have been a bit more powerful and crisp but, I cannot deny the fact that this is indeed a good literary work because compiling down such thoughts, giving life to the characters, building up their complexity and presenting it before the readers, that needs courage and the author has done a great job.
For recommendation, I would say that if you choose to read this book, do keep an open mind.
Set in the 1950s, the plotline mainly revolves around Joan and Willa who get drawn to their step-brothers when her mother finds a new beau for herself. Joan gets drawn towards the charismatic Kenneth while Willa, the younger sister pairs off with the solitary younger brother, Patrick. The book focuses more on the relationship of Patrick and Willa than the relationship between Kenneth and Joan. Willa, the nine-year-old, develops a dangerous attraction towards Patrick and well, her hormones are all over the place.
The book compiles the episodes, explaining the transition in the characters and accounts Willa’s and Joana’s reactions to the relationships that they indulge themselves to. Willa is torn between the eroticism of the relation and at the same time she is repulsive towards her own actions. She is surprised by the thought that Patrick has so much control over her. Eliza Robertson narrates the episodes and puts them together in short comprised chapters without letting off the complexity of the characters off the hook.
When I first started reading it, I was a bit confused with the plot due to the whole scene shifts. Gradually, as I kept turning the pages, the whole idea and the concept became clearer to me. The storyline has this summery beach vibe to it. The book covers the episodes over the time span, 1950 to 2001 and with each passing year, the transformation in the characters were visible to me.
MY FINAL VERDICT
I would say that this was a fairly disturbing read for me but I always try to keep an open mind and hence, I am not offended by any ideas, no matter how bizarre they might seem. Choosing to explore this concept, creating such complex characters and writing with such precision and laying out the details in such a compact manner is truly a sign of a seasoned writer. Though I was a bit taken aback by the multiple scene shifts which I felt created a disconnection in the plotline and for a concept as this, the narration could have been a bit more powerful and crisp but, I cannot deny the fact that this is indeed a good literary work because compiling down such thoughts, giving life to the characters, building up their complexity and presenting it before the readers, that needs courage and the author has done a great job.
For recommendation, I would say that if you choose to read this book, do keep an open mind.
April 16, 2018
This sucked me right in. The prose is simultaneously gorgeous and overwrought and managed to land in a sweet spot that kept me reading compulsively. Demi-Gods is framed as a series of recollections from main character Willa, each of which center around her strange sexually charged relationship with her stepbrother Patrick, as she comes of age in in the 50s and 60s. Their interactions are uncomfortable and sometimes perverse. I had such a sense of dread as I was reading, a tightness in my chest. I kept expecting things to go off the rails. The culmination of all that tension, the climax of the book, was unexpected but in a rather unsatisfying way, and the ending felt too abrupt. I would have liked more resolution. That aside, I did really enjoy this and am eager to see more from Robertson.
(I read a review copy from Netgalley.)
(I read a review copy from Netgalley.)
October 24, 2017
Eliza Robertson's debut novel, Demi-Gods, certainly piqued my interest when I spotted it on Netgalley. I love both coming of age stories and familial sagas, and this had both in spades. Whilst interesting to read, and certainly surprising at times, Demi-Gods is rather odd. I found it compelling enough from beginning to end, but there was a curious detachment present, and I do not feel as though I really got to know any of the characters overly well. Elements of the novel seemed rather implausible, and the final couple of chapters felt rushed, giving a strange feeling of incompletion to the whole. Demi-Gods was not quite developed enough for my liking, although it had the potential to be a markedly memorable tome.
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