Autobiography of Red A Novel in Verse by Anne Carson

A novel. A poem. A myth made new. This is a book that refuses to sit still on one shelf, and that’s exactly why we love it.

Drawing on the fragmentary work of the ancient Greek poet Stesichorus, this novel in verse reimagines the story of Geryon, a winged, red-skinned monster boy, and Herakles, the hero destined to be his undoing. What unfolds is a wholly original coming-of-age story set in the present: a tender, strange, and achingly human tale of first love, heartbreak, art, and the long work of becoming yourself.

The language is sharp and luminous. The pages move between poetry and narrative, humor and ache, ancient epic and modern life. It’s a book to read in one rush, then return to slowly, line by line.

Why you’ll want it on your shelf:

• A inventive retelling of Greek mythology that feels startlingly contemporary
• A novel in verse that welcomes both devoted poetry readers and newcomers
• A moving story of identity, desire, and belonging
• A handsome hardcover edition, ideal for rereading and sharing

It’s the kind of discovery we love pressing into a customer’s hands here in the cove, especially on a gray afternoon when the fog is rolling in and there’s nowhere you’d rather linger than inside a good book.

Perfect for fans of epic poetry, literary fiction, mythological retellings, and anyone who likes their stories a little wild and a lot beautiful.

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