3.5? Clever use of Greek mythology to flesh out a small town run by a formidable family. Every single character was miserable, to the point where it was difficult to care what happened to them.

Maybe this wasn't for me. I don't really know where I stand on this book and I don't know if my rating is correct.
The Greek Mythology aspect drew me in, but it wasn't quite enough to make me stay or make me like this book. Maybe the awful traits of the Gods don't translate well into humans. Maybe I didn't get it.
This was a forgettable read. I can't even name all the characters, let alone analyse them. In the days it took me to sit down and write this review, I forgot about the plot. What happened? Who did what? I can't tell you.
However, I can tell you that the characters are insufferable. I enjoy unlikeable characters, but these were beyond unlikable. Their epiphanies and resolutions also came out of nowhere and I didn't get what I was supposed to take from this story. Everyone is shitty. This family has drama. That's it? I genuinely don't know how to review this (obviously).
To end on a positive note, the writing is great though. I do see myself giving this author another chance.

This is the epitome of a family drama, and really the entire plot revolved around the internal drama that is the Briscoe family. This story is 100% about the character’s emotional baggage and coming to terms with who they are as people. While it promises to hold quite a bit of mythology references, unless you are extremely learned in it, you won’t pick up on the references. I love Greek mythology, and actually forgot all about this book supposedly having the references and nods to the gods, but that doesn’t super matter because the story stands on it’s own.

The Briscoe family live in a small town in East Texas. After having an affair with his brother’s wife, two years ago, March Briscoe is attempt to come home. But only his father and his half sister seems to be glad to see him back. His arrival though brings up more than just hard feelings about the affair, it’s also stirring up the past which the entire family will need to confront. The long held secrets, resentments, jealousy, and lies are about to come out, and nobody in the family is safe.

Taking place over a single week, there is a lot that goes on in this mess of a family. When I call this family a mess, I mean it. In the course of that single week, there is a hunting accident, fights, a funeral, marriages on the brink, and plenty of sibling feuds. They may try and portray the ideal family but the Briscoe’s are nowhere near perfect and the whole town knows it.

First off bonus points for being set in Texas. As a good Texas girl myself, I’m trying to read more books set in my home state. I mean I can only read so many LA and NYC set books.

I enjoyed how each character had a distinct voice and personality, including plenty of their own issues. I also enjoyed that Swann gave each character their own narratives while also giving us back stories for each character’s ‘main issue/complex’. I think Swann did a great job of writing authentic characters, especially in her portrayals of the female characters.

This is a fast-paced read, and while I don’t think it will make my top reads of 2021, it is perfect for those wanting some drama and/or deep characterizations.


Olympus, Texas is out now. Huge thank you to Doubleday Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof_books.

I absolutely adore this book. Her take on the Olympians as an east Texas family is as clever and colorful as the Olympians themselves. Recommend to anyone who enjoy myth reimaginings like the Penelopiad, Song of Achilles, Circe, etc.

Really enjoyed this story FULL of family drama! Like, wow, it kept me on my toes at every turn of the page. The entire book takes place in one week — and holy crap what a week it is for the Briscoes. I thought the Texas setting was great — though because the town is fictional (with real places referenced) the Texan in me kept feeling a little lost. (This is totally a me thing.) It's also a book of not-so-likeable characters, which I don't usually love, but it ended up ok!!

I really need to start reading the book blurbs before diving into a book.

I finished the book and was looking at the reviews, when I realized that the book is based on mythology. Everything makes so much more sense now!

Olympus, Texas is about a small town full of flawed characters. That is all you need to know before diving into the book. Oh, also the mythology thing.

I really liked this adaptation of mythology into modern day. Whichever character's chapter you read, you automatically sympathize with them, and that's just good writing. You slowly realize that you are on everyone's side (except for Peter, who should just leave the town). Some of the things like Vera's wrath seemed so out of place for doing the things she does, but I guess if you know the mythology story it makes sense. That is the only part where I felt that the mythology didn't translate as well into the modern age, but other than that no complaints.

Read it if you like complex family sagas, multiple POVs and character-based books.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A dysfunctional family that functions fairly well despite the infidelity, rage, and betrayals of all sorts. I admire the love between even those who despise each other. The ending is fabulous.

I adored this book, gobbled it up in two days.

This spellbinding dysfunctional family saga set in small-town Texas is rife with allusions to classical mythology. Everyone knows everyone else’s business in the fictional town of Olympus, especially when it comes to the notorious Briscoe family. The clan is “a walking collection of deadly sins,” and due to patriarch Peter’s
philandering, his children populate several households in town.

When prodigal son March returns home after a years-long exile imposed after sleeping with his sister-in-law, he sets a devastating chain of events in motion. Though the story spans a mere six days, several lifetimes’ worth of secrets are revealed in that time, and the ensuing consequences to the family and their town are irrevocable.

A modern spin on Greek tragedy, full of fistfights and firearms; I’ve been recommending it nonstop ever since
I turned the last page.

Olympus, Texas was an enjoyable read featuring an immersive Texas setting, small town feel, and dysfunctional family. Despite all the difficulties this family finds itself in and the dysfunctions of many of the family members, it was easy to find something about each one to like, which I appreciated. The plot was very character driven but also written at a good pace to keep the story moving.

This was such an enjoyable read! As far as debuts go, this one was absolutely wonderful—character’s were fully developed, plot was interesting with momentum, the writing was delicious. Swann took your run of the mill family dysfunction and added a fun twist with a nod to the Greek & Roman pantheons. Would recommend.

This was a really strong debut! I love dysfunctional family stories, and the struggles of the people in this book are drawn with nuance and insight. If I had one criticism, I think it may have slightly too many characters who each have their own plot arc. I'm glad to see this is getting some well-deserved buzz!

This oddly compelling story is a dysfunctional family saga set in small town Texas with parallels to Greek mythology. The Briscoe family has long held secrets, resentments and tragedy that boil over in a week marked by the return of June and Peter’s son after a two year self exile that was the result of him being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife. Peter and June are themselves living with the impact of infidelity and broken trust on relationships. They have three children together and Peter has another 3 from adulterous relationships. June’s bitterness with her husbands infidelity has permeated her relationships with her children.
The prose is well crafted and the characters are fully developed but for this reader it was difficult to become invested in these flawed, damaged and dislikable characters and their dysfunctional family life.

Olympus, Texas intrigued me even before it became a celebrity book pick, and I was very engaged in the story. This is the kind of book you want a free weekend to read. I felt I knew the characters fairly early on, but I sure did not see the turning point event coming. Well written, nicely paced, and very worth the read!

This family puts the dys in dysfunctional! A large cast of characters, most of whom are messed up for a variety of reasons, are unforgettable.

Set in Texas, the Briscoe family has their share of family drama. The patriarch of the family, Peter, has several children with several women while remaining married to his wife, June. June, long-suffering, keeps the whole family going. Peter and June's son, March, returns to town after a two-year absence (he slept with his brother's wife, so needless to say, there are some hard feelings). The comparisons to Greek mythology are veiled but become more apparent as the story goes on. We have love, hate, drunkenness, death - it's all there.

A debut author's first attempt and she nailed it.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. The writing is superb! It's very clear that the author is a native Texan and is well acquainted with the Texas landscape and culture. She has captured the ambience and dynamics of what being in small town Texas is like. BUT...I hated every character! They were well drawn and believable and their motives throughout were clear. These are people dealing with some serious issues, but I did not find anyone appealing. I almost gave up and quit reading about 1/3 of the way in, then something heart-stopping happened and I could not stop reading!

So, if setting and "feel" and authenticity are your thing, this is the book for you. If you're looking for appealing characters with growth and redemption, skip it.

I hope Swann continues to write. She did pull me into the story, and some of her descriptive passages are just beautiful and evoke everything true about central Texas. I really wanted to like this book, but just couldn't get past those annoying people. I guess I really needed at least one person to root for.

In this debut dysfunctional family story about the Briscoes of Texas, younger brother (March) returns to his family’s small town after a 2 year absence following an affair with his older brother’s wife, kicking off a tornado of events that will change the family forever. It's a character-driven novel that kept me quickly turning the pages. It's deliciously scandalous with a plethora of dislikable characters. The story is rooted in Greek mythology, with each character corresponding to a Greek mythological figure, but the story stands on its own even without this tie-in.

Olympus, Texas is a family drama with twists and turns that left me wanting to listen more than I had time for. A great family story that goes through the many facets of drama in a family and how that shapes the people in the family. A great story that I wished would go on and on. A wonderful summer read for those that like a little drama with their drink by the pool.

Something of a potboiler, this fat novel draws on Greek mythology for its family portrait, but really it wants to talk about love, loss and impossible juxtapositions. Should parents split up when one is constantly unfaithful.? Should brothers sleep with sisters-in-law? Should twins pledge undying commitment to each other? It’s all rather absolute. Done with verve, but still, a saga.

I have absolutely love mythology. I am still book hung over from Circe in 2018 and just finished Ariadne last week. I found out I was approved for this at the most perfect time! Olympus, Texas was a very unique reimagining and I really liked it a lot. The story follows a dysfunctional family in Texas that's a lot like watching a train wreck....you know you should look away, but you just can't.

This book has amazing character development. Now listen, You may not always like these characters, but they are realistic and flawed and extremely entertaining. Mistakes are made by every character at some point. All the Briscoe children are involved in some sort of drama. Over the course of a week, there are fights, a death, love and marriages. The parents are also in marital trouble, and no one gets along with anyone else. As I mentioned, this is a very dysfunctional family to the core. But there’s also a basic sweetness about the characters that I loved. They may have beaten each other up and spouses may have cheated on each other, but I think they loved each other. The ending was really what it should have been and we have fun getting there.

Family saga/ tragedy cleverly represented by characters fashioned on the Gods and Goddesses of Mt. Olympus. “ Being family just means we don’t have the safety of fences between us.” Outstanding debut.