Ecstasy

By: Ivy Pochoda

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Nancy Wu

A deliciously dark horror reimagining of a Greek tragedy, by Ivy Pochoda, winner of the LA Times Book Prize.

Lena wants her life back. Her wealthy, controlling, humorless husband has just died, and now she contends with her controlling, humorless son, Drew. Lena lands in Naxos with her best friend in tow for the unveiling of her son's, pet project--the luxurious Agape Villas.

Years of marriage amongst the wealthy elite has whittled Lena's spirit into rope and sinew, smothered by tasteful cocktail dresses and unending small talk. On Naxos she yearns to rediscover her true nature, remember the exuberant dancer and party girl she once was, but Drew tightens his grip, keeping her cloistered inside the hotel, demanding that she fall in line.

Lena is intrigued by a group of women living in tents on the beach in front of the Agape. She can feel their drums at night, hear their seductive leader calling her to dance. Soon she'll find that an ancient God stirs on the beach, awakening dark desires of women across the island. The only questions left will be whether Lena will join them, and what it will cost her.

Ecstasy is a riveting, darkly poetic, one-sitting read about empowerment, desire, and what happens when women reject the roles set out for them.

Well Written Short Story That’s Too Long

The story has an interesting theme of regaining female empowerment but devolves into hallucinogenic scenes that go on too long. A bitter story blaming flawed men for abandoning one’s autonomy.

Strange story - unsettling.

I appreciated the narration and story overall. However the imagery was slightly too graphic for my taste. I was also left a bit confused as to what the overarching idea of this book was actually about. Could be many different things all at once. Very fem forward nonetheless.

Mesmerizing

Listen to this book with an open mind and you will not be disappointed. The writing is excellent and the characters were multidimensional and interesting.

Dang! She’s done it again! What a story!

Ivy Pochoda has woven such a deep and powerful story with intricate characters and unforeseen events! I’m so glad she came out with a new book!

I was confused

This personally wasn’t for me. I wanted to love this more but I was so confused most of the time. Also hated how awful the husband and his son were. The passivity of the wives is a little irksome for a woman who is not any of those things.