Persephone in Hell

Troubled teenage Glory imagines herself a mighty queen, but discovers in her 1968 Massachusetts town that even queens have to watch their heads as savages await. Glory and her family move from Boston city life to rural cow country where people have heard of Jews but never seen a real one.

Persephone in Hell tells a coming of age tale about a girl who doesn't understand why her sister won't talk to her and even Mother Nature seems out to get her. She cries out to the gods for help. But nobody sees her terrible self-inflicted wounds. No one is paying attention. In this multi perspective debut novel, C.F. Joyce explores the roles that family histories, clashing cultures, and dysfunctions play in the life of a young girl.

Reader raves:

"...an incredible read that mixes blunt everyday reality and desperate imagination...the story of a beautiful teenage girl driven nearly to insanity with her need to escape the cruel realities of her 1960s world..."

"A compelling feminist take on life...this is a vibrant read, and no connection is left unexplored. Friendship, as well as sibling rivalry is beautifully drawn out...the author clearly has a gift for wit and charm..."

Cover paintings by Marjorie Walsh
Westport River Publishing