Two more wonderful reviews of The White Goddess have arrived.

One from Richard Strachan, who is captivated by Simon's portrayal of Robert Graves:

Gough's approach here is to write not a straight memoir but a self-described 'auto-bio-fantasy'. By revelling in the subjectivity of his approach and in the emotional truth of his memories, he achieves a breathless immediacy and a novelistic style that that enables him to recall entire conversations and dwell at length on his emotional state. It's highly engaging, and impossible not to be swept up in the magic of Deya and by the bruising heat of first love. He also provides a splendid elliptical portrait of Robert Graves, both in his prime and as he began the long descent into senility.

And one from the talented author and blogger Termite Writer, who really digs into the mythology and imagery in the book:

In this case Zeus is the mighty Graves himself, who emerges as an Olympian figure – intellectually and physically all-powerful, yet rife with the brutish nature of humanity, even as were the Greek gods: he farts, sneezes and hacks, blows his nose on his fingers, takes out his false teeth at the table in order to clear out pips that are hurting his gums (in a memorable scene). Graves is larger than life, overwhelmingly charming, straightforward, and supportive toward the ten-year-old Simon, yet always dangerous, ready to fling lightning bolts. If one were to novelize Greek myth, Zeus might be endowed with those very same qualities…

For me, being captivated by both Robert Graves (whom I'll never look at quite the same way again) and by the function of myth both in literature and in our lives, this book had an unforgettable impact. I will certainly read the promised sequel, and I strongly recommend the work, particularly for anyone who shares those interests with me.

I urge you to clink the links and read both reviews in full – both because they're warm and positive and because they reveal new aspects of the book. We are very lucky to have such thoughtful, intelligent people writing about Simon.