Orpheus Girl

By: Brynne Rebele-Henry

Narrated by: Laura Knight Keating

In her debut novel, award-winning poet Brynne Rebele-Henry re-imagines the Orpheus myth as a love story between two teenage girls who are sent to conversion therapy after being caught together in an intimate moment.

Abandoned by a single mother she never knew, 16-year-old Raya - obsessed with ancient myths - lives with her grandmother in a small conservative Texas town. For years Raya has fought to hide her feelings for her best friend and true love, Sarah. When the two are outed, they are sent to Friendly Saviors: a re-education camp meant to “fix” them and make them heterosexual. Upon arrival, Raya vows to assume the role of Orpheus, to return to the world of the living with her love - and after she, Sarah, and the other teen residents are subjected to abusive and brutal “treatments” by the staff, Raya only becomes more determined to escape.

In a haunting voice reminiscent of Sylvia Plath and the contemporary lyricism of David Levithan, Brynne Rebele-Henry weaves a powerful inversion of the Orpheus myth informed by the disturbing real-world truths of conversion therapy. Orpheus Girl is a story of dysfunctional families, trauma, first love, heartbreak, and ultimately, the fierce adolescent resilience that has the power to triumph over darkness and ignorance.

©2019 Brynne Rebele-Henry (P)2019 Recorded Books

Scary and beautiful

It’s very graphic during the conversation therapy but so well written I almost didn’t want to finish it. The story itself was amazing and I loved the book as a whole but be careful going into it.

Maturity

Great story but the characters are much more mature than their age in the book which makes it strange.

Visceral and Touching

All triggering material is handled with care and largely contributes to the story. A beautiful read

Beautifully horrible

Like the Greek myths Orpheus Girl was enchanting and beautiful but also sickening. This book was intense but incredible. I 100% recommend, just listen to the trigger warnings.

Good story

Not sure what to add to the other reviews that already exist. The story is on the shorter side, the themes are fairly obvious. And it can be a sad story if you are closer to the subject matter at hand.