Eros

A sexy modern take on ancient Greek myths. She keeps her eyes on me while she lights the end of my cigarette. I stare back at her. Something in the pills and in her eyes is opening up my muscles like hands parting from prayer, like trees breathing. Eros is a stunning collection of short stories, grounded in truth and coloured with dazzling imagination and alluring, unpredictable mystery. Revealing how queerness, nature and myth have been intertwined for eternity, these are stories of gods and goddesses. Of Zeus, of Eurydice, of Hermaphroditus, of Icarus before he flew into the sun. Stories of queer life, lust, revenge, wrath, passion and sex. Of yearning, love, loss. Some transformations span across a life, and others, an evening. Perspectives will shift. Houses will burn. Lovers will learn their fate. Zoe Terakes has skilfully blended myth and modernity to illuminate the complex and enduring truth of trans lives, resisting a history of erasure and delivering a sexy, soul-touching book to read to your lover . . . or yourself. 'Goddamn, these stories set my queer heart alight. In finally making queer and trans undertones of ancient Greek myth explicit, Zoe Terakes has forged something both classic and eternal, timely and timeless.' BENJAMIN LAW 'Fresh and timely . . . Immersive . . . Recommended for readers of Madeline Miller and Andrea Lawlor, this collection will not be easily forgotten.' BOOKS+PUBLISHING 'Mucky and sexy, violent and shocking, tender and joyful, and constantly surprising - this is a stunning debut.' THE GUARDIAN 'A vivid, confident and mesmerising debut . . . Terakes does not pull any punches, vividly portraying both the loving intimacy and cruel violence that are such hallmarks of Greek mythology.' READINGS

Zoe Terakes is an actor and writer living and working on Gadigal land. They are a vocal advocate for trans rights within arts industries and on a global scale. Zoe was most recently seen on screen in A24's critically acclaimed film Talk to Me. Their other acting credits include Nine Perfect Strangers, Creamerie, Wentworth and Ellie & Abbie. They will soon appear in the Marvel Studios series Iron Heart. Zoe has also worked extensively across Australian stages, including the Belvoir, Melbourne Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre and The Old Fitz Theatre. They have received two Sydney Theatre awards, including the Best Newcomer Award, and were also nominated for a Helpmann Award. Eros is Zoe's debut literary work, inspired by their Cretan heritage. Full of sex, water and rage, this stunning collection reimagines five ancient Greek queer myths.