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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
informative
Nooooo. I’m genuinely so sad to be finishing this book which gives you some sense of how much I loved it.
This is a masterclass in non-fiction, Natalie Haynes is so incredibly talented. The way she made such complex topics with such a huge breadth of source material simplified into single chapters is truly remarkable. I don’t think have read a book that was quite so accessible for such a challenging subject. But not only was it incredibly informative and well researched but the writing style was impeccable. The way the different topics she discussed linked together and also supported one another was so impressive.
But also this book is genuinely so entertaining!!!! I think I assumed that it would be at least a little bit dull (because it’s non-fiction which is usually academic and hard to get through, something you force yourself to read to sound clever no?). But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Haynes’ surprising biting wit kept me engaged throughout and brought such a delightful twist to the myths she was examining. I mean the Beyoncé reference when talking about medea was particularly perfect.
I don’t think I could pick a favourite bit of this book because each time I thought a chapter was the best the next one topped it. I’m so glad I read this book, it has utterly relighted my love of Greek mythology. So thank you Natalie Haynes (not only for accompanying my lidl shops and weekly laundry trips) but making me so excited about mythology!!
This is a masterclass in non-fiction, Natalie Haynes is so incredibly talented. The way she made such complex topics with such a huge breadth of source material simplified into single chapters is truly remarkable. I don’t think have read a book that was quite so accessible for such a challenging subject. But not only was it incredibly informative and well researched but the writing style was impeccable. The way the different topics she discussed linked together and also supported one another was so impressive.
But also this book is genuinely so entertaining!!!! I think I assumed that it would be at least a little bit dull (because it’s non-fiction which is usually academic and hard to get through, something you force yourself to read to sound clever no?). But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Haynes’ surprising biting wit kept me engaged throughout and brought such a delightful twist to the myths she was examining. I mean the Beyoncé reference when talking about medea was particularly perfect.
I don’t think I could pick a favourite bit of this book because each time I thought a chapter was the best the next one topped it. I’m so glad I read this book, it has utterly relighted my love of Greek mythology. So thank you Natalie Haynes (not only for accompanying my lidl shops and weekly laundry trips) but making me so excited about mythology!!
Did not realize this was literary analysis when I added it, but it was a pleasant surprise
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Insightful, nuanced, and funny, it makes you want to go back to the classic plays and have a fresh look at the familiar characters. The most surprising thing about it is that ancient authors, for all their focus on male heroes and divine beings, actually allow women more agency than some more recent retellings.
challenging
funny
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
The perfect book for feminists who were into Greek mythology as children and have since become disturbed by how violently misogynistic the stories they enjoyed were.
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Really great read that was so informative! We rarely get the woman's point of view in Greek Mythology, unless they're a goddess and even then it can be odd, so this was a really interesting read. The chapter on Penelope is my favourite!
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
Haynes spins classic myths anew by centering the voices of ten female figures, including Medusa, Helen, and Medea. While myths are inherently folk tales popularized by multiple storytellers, modern translations often focus on a narrative that removes women's autonomy or sanity and centers the heroic male. Haynes experly analyzes lost versions/interpretations of these texts.