This was very clever—perhaps too clever for its own good, based on other reviews. Slow, methodical development alllllmost stalled this out for me. But then it really, really comes together. The themes are just far too satisfying, running parallel to the classist angle being discussed and examined, but, of course, particularly the myth central to the story. 

It not only illustrates, in quite a deft way, why classics are classics, why art imitating art etc. was, and still can resonate so well. While also putting into focus how little has changed in society with gender dynamics, the male gaze, who controls what narrative and why, and manages to be dynamic, complex, to the point of making the antagonist humanized; but then, exploitative in so doing, again mirroring myth and society. 

It seems to be the largest sticking point for readers: the amount of text dedicated to a predator harrowing the protagonist. But, in its defence, it is the entire point. And, for me, it’s what made this so exceptional, rather than the gradual increment of 3 star expectations and 4 stars exceeding them.