Monday, December 2, 2024
Island Park residents have a unique opportunity to explore the world of Greek mythology in a modern light as local author Brian Andrew presents a reading of his debut novel, Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead, at the Island Park Library on Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature not only a discussion of Andrew’s book but also a creative twist with mocktails inspired by the mythological tale.
Andrew, an attorney and former resident of Rockville Centre who now lives with his wife in Oceanside, has long been fascinated by Greek mythology. After moving to Oceanside in 2020, he channeled his fascination with Greek mythology and historical fiction into his first published book, Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead, which released in June and is a contemporary retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone and her descent into the underworld.
“These stories are meant to be fun,” Andrew said. “I think they’re a good tale. They explain a lot of things in the world, whether you believe it or not. They are a fun story, with different heroes and gods and goddesses and everyone running around this world explaining how things happen.”
At the heart of Tales of Bacchae is Koalemos, a character who becomes entangled in the world of gods, goddesses, and mystical creatures.
Koalemos, whose name is derived from an ancient Greek personification of foolishness, is madly in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. When Persephone is abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, Koalemos seeks help from Bacchus, the god of wine. As Koalemos embarks on a journey to reunite with his beloved, he is thrust into a world of intense emotions and dangerous adventures.
He soon discovers that love is not always as straightforward as it seems and that his journey might lead him toward something greater than the pursuit of romance—personal growth and a newfound sense of belonging. Andrew’s retelling blends ancient myth with contemporary themes, offering readers a fresh look at characters they may remember from classic stories.
The novel brings readers face-to-face with well-known mythological figures like Demeter, Hades, and Bacchus while introducing new layers of meaning and modern relevance to their stories.Andrew’s passion for Greek mythology is clear, but his novel is more than just a retelling of ancient myths. It is an exploration of the timeless themes these stories present—friendship, identity, unrequited love and personal transformation.
“I wanted to write a story that people could enjoy while also reflecting on the lessons that myths can teach us today,” Andrew said.
He also sees his work as a bridge between the past and present.
“The myths were created to explain the world, and I think they still resonate with readers today because they deal with universal human experiences.”
As part of his presentation at the Island Park Library, Andrew offers attendees a chance to taste some of the mythology themselves—through mocktails. In a creative nod to the famous myth of Persephone eating the pomegranate seeds that bound her to the underworld, Andrew will prepare a mocktail using pomegranate as a key ingredient.
The drink, made from pomegranate juice, club soda, cranberry, and rosemary, will offer a refreshing and symbolic touch to the evening.
“It’s a fun way to connect the story to the audience in a fun way,” Andrew said. “Plus, pomegranates are such an important part of the Persephone myth, so it felt right to include them in some way.”
As Andrew looks forward to his event at the Island Park Library, he’s excited about sharing his work with the community.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting readers and hearing their thoughts on the book,” he said. “Writing Tales of Bacchae was such a personal journey for me, and I’m excited to see how others connect with it.”
Andrew’s debut novel, Tales of Bacchae: Queen of the Dead, is available for purchase anywhere books are sold including AuthorHouse.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Andrew’s website, BLPublishingBooks.com.
