C.J. Spataro’s More Strange Than True is a witty and inventive novel that offers a modern twist on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Set in contemporary Philadelphia, the book revolves around Jewell Jamieson, who, after a peculiar day, eats a magically spiked meal and inadvertently wishes for her dog Oberon to transform into a man. The next morning, her wish comes true, triggering a series of fantastical and humorous events. As conflict materializes, Jewell inevitably grapples with an impossible choice to either love or let go; to honor autonomy or to hold on. Allowing us to dwell on the struggle to relinquish control.
Critics have praised Spataro’s ability to blend humor, romance, and fantasy with deep emotional stakes, calling the piece enchanting, comical and heartfelt. The novel touches on themes of love, loyalty, and the complex nature of desire, all while maintaining that playful and witty Shakespearean flair. Spataro’s sharp writing is known for its capacity to mix the ordinary with the extraordinary. The text draws from, not only our beloved poet and playwright, but also from telling’s of Greek mythology. The novel intertwines the modern and the magical; exploring themes of love, sacrifice, transformation, desire and selflessness.
More Strange Than True is an energizing take on the currently popular genre of “romantasy” – a bittersweet blend of romance and fantasy, with moments of poignant reflection amidst the comic twists. Spataro’s debut novel stands out for its originality and the emotional depth she infuses into a humorous, fast-paced narrative. Somehow relatable (yet completely absurd for obvious reasons), she is able to make this fantastical story one that is abundant with experiences of the human condition when it comes to scorn, love and trust; emphasizing that sometimes love requires difficult choices and accepting the inevitability of change, which echoes the bittersweet nature of relationships.