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Pandora's Jar
Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths | Natalie Haynes
Natalie Haynes is the nation's muse' Adam Rutherford The Greek myths are among the world's most important cultural building blocks and they have been retold many times, but rarely do they focus on the remarkable women at the heart of these ancient stories. Stories of gods and monsters are the mainstay of epic poetry and Greek tragedy, from Homer to Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, from the Trojan War to Jason and the Argonauts. And still, today, a wealth of novels, plays and films draw their inspiration from stories first told almost three thousand years ago. But modern tellers of Greek myth have usually been men, and have routinely shown little interest in telling womens stories. And when they do, those women are often painted as monstrous, vengeful or just plain evil. But Pandora the first woman, who according to legend unloosed chaos upon the world was not a villain, and even Medea and Phaedra have more nuanced stories than generations of retellings might indicate. Now, in Pandoras Jar, Natalie Haynes broadcaster, writer and passionate classicist redresses this imbalance. Taking Pandora and her jar (the box came later) as the starting point, she puts the women of the Greek myths on equal footing with the menfolk. After millennia of stories telling of gods and men, be they Zeus or Agamemnon, Paris or Odysseus, Oedipus or Jason, the voices that sing from these pages are those of Hera, Athena and Artemis, and of Clytemnestra, Jocasta, Eurydice and Penelope.
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kaysworld1
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Pickpick

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I love this book.
Very informative and researched well, there are some part's that got me agreeing and some that made me angry learning about the brutally of woman.

#womanofhistory
#history
#librarybook
#readingthelibrary
#audiobook

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maich
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I'm so sorry I didn't post this later. We had a crazy time. Went from emergency room to pediatric klinic...Thank God we are okay and feeling much better now. Then I had to pack for my holiday at the last minute because we had already paid for the reservation.
I took a picture of my packare and posting it now. Thank you @jenniferw88 for all the goodies and books. ❤️😍
#StaycationinTime #StaycationsSwap
@Chrissyreadit @DinoMom

Dilara Oh, that sounds hellish! I hope you and your child can rest and recover now 🙂 3mo
Librarybelle Oh my! ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo
maich @Dilara Thank you. She's feeling much better and already swimming in the sea. 3mo
See All 10 Comments
maich @Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo
Chrissyreadit I‘m glad everything is ok and you were able to go on vacation! 3mo
jenniferw88 Glad you're all better now - enjoy the holidays and goodies! 3mo
maich @Chrissyreadit Thank you😍 3mo
maich @jenniferw88 thank you for sending everything. 3mo
kspenmoll I hope your vacation helps!!!❤️ 3mo
maich @kspenmoll helps a lot.😉 we're all feeling better. 3mo
41 likes1 stack add10 comments
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kaysworld1
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#currentlyreading
Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes

So far all I have learnt is every story has r**e in it and every woman trusted a man and he betrayed, violated and humiliated her one way or another!

(Not hating on anyone but from the Greeks and Roman time's till now nothing has changed)

#audiobook
#librarybook
#womanandhistory

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Allthebookclubs
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I was thinking this was going to be akin to Madeline Miller‘s style of Greek myth retelling, but it was an analytical history lesson about women getting the shaft while their male peers are glorified over and over for the same or worse behaviors. A fascinating, scholarly, and at times comedic look at 10 women who deserve another portrayal than what history gave them. Book #63 in 2024

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SMH86
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Pickpick

Interesting and fun to learn more about the women in Greek mythology. So much research and details, which appreciated, but not being very knowledgeable on many of the stories, it was a bit much at times.

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BookmarkTavern
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While the women of Greek myths have, more often than not, been sidelined or villainized, Haynes‘s book tales several of these characters & examines the context, the different versions of their stories, as well as the modern interpretations.

This was amazing & makes me want to seek out more women centered Greek myth retellings. This book provides a nuanced understanding of such interesting characters. Can‘t wait to read more by her!🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 6mo
BookmarkTavern All the content warnings you‘d expect for Greek myths, but nothing graphic; brief references throughout to rape, sexual assault and murder of children, necrophilia, incest 6mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
See All 6 Comments
AnnCrystal 🆒💕😻💝. 6mo
Leftcoastzen 😻 6mo
Hooked_on_books I really liked this one. I also loved this fiction from her: 6mo
76 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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BookmarkTavern
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Waiting for doctor time = Reading time! 💖

TheBookHippie I enjoyed this read. 7mo
ravenlee I loved this book, and have the follow-up on my shelf. 6mo
69 likes2 comments
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LadyCait84
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Pickpick

After reading (and enjoying) several of Ms. Haynes fiction works, I decided to give her non-fiction a try and was riveted start to finish. As she discusses the various depictions and interpretations, ancient or otherwise, of several of Greek mythology‘s female characters, the author educates and entertains, and illuminates the complex natures of these women who have too often been diminished or demeaned by storytellers, playwrights, and academics.

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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

Great audio book read by the author. I loved this re-examination of the stories about Greek women in mythology. My 8 year old has become obsessed with mythology so I‘ve been seeking out more stories. I never really learned mythology growing up (we had a parent object to us learning about it, early book ban). I learned some about mythology in college through art history. I started listening to Haynes‘ books, which has been fascinating & engaging.

20 likes2 comments
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Super_Jane
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Pickpick

4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 #greekmythology #women

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ravenlee
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Pickpick

This book is fantastic. Not a retelling, but an analysis of female characters in Greek myths. Think you know their stories? Think again. Haynes‘ writing is clear, funny, sardonic, and easy to follow. I listened to parts on audio and her voice is great! She unearths classic sources and critiques modern voices to round out these women, and I hope she writes more in this vein. Now on to her fiction and trying out her podcast 👇🏻

ravenlee (I‘ve actually never listened to a podcast and really have no idea how to do so, but I intend to find out so I can hear more of Haynes‘ work) 12mo
TheBookHippie Ooooooo this looks good! 12mo
TheBookHippie Oh duh I read her other book 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 12mo
See All 10 Comments
EclecticBookLover She has a new book coming out in 2024, all about Greek Godesses. I just saw it today while buying books for work. Her book Stone Blind a retelling of Medusa also looked really good. 12mo
AllDebooks 😍 12mo
ravenlee @EclecticBookLover awesome! Thanks for telling me. I have A Thousand Ships on my shelf, and now I just need to obsessively hunt down the rest of her backlist, and preorder the new one! 12mo
GondorGirl Natalie Haynes is a gift! I've read most of her books and have watched a bunch of her talks online. She's so engaging. 🥰 12mo
GondorGirl @EclecticBookLover Stone Blind was the best Greek myth retelling I've ever read. And I've read a LOT. 12mo
EclecticBookLover @GondorGirl There are SO many right now. It seems to be a big trend in publishing. I saw another one today retelling Medea. I can‘t remember the author though 😞 12mo
GondorGirl @EclecticBookLover I know this one comes out next year. I follow her online and this sounds really good! 12mo
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Cazxxx
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Pickpick

Loved every minute
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GondorGirl I'm obsessed with Natalie Haynes! 🥰 14mo
Cazxxx @GondorGirl Oh same! I will watch, read or listen to anything she does 14mo
39 likes2 comments
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mrsmarch
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I‘m a little behind on #bookspin reads….but I‘m working my way through the backlog. Looking forward to Hester and The Traitor‘s Wife, this month‘s #bookspin and #doublespin reads!

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Amie
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Pickpick

A look at several women from mythology, how they've been portrayed from ancient times to modern, and which versions of their stories have endured. I enjoyed the author's wry, sardonic commentary.

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normasue
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"Myths may be home of the miraculous, but they are also mirrors of us."
I love this statement, as well as the idea it communicates. I think this is why myths are so timeless as well as why society (including myself) can't get enough of them in all their iterations.
I didn't expect the scholarly commentary format of this book, but I'm really enjoying it.

#pandora #mythology #greekmythology #greekmythologyretelling #womeninmyth

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catiewithac
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This is one of the 1st books I started this year, but I got stuck in the Medusa chapter when I had several library books to read on deadline. It‘s described as literary criticism but I would call it a collection of feminist essays about famous women in Greek mythology. Haynes is an exceptional scholar and masterful writer. She weaves obscure classical sources with modern films and Beyoncé. A true delight! ?#LitsyLove

Lucy_Anywhere Oooh I have this one on my kindle - I‘m looking forward to it! 2y
71 likes1 comment
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catiewithac
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My sleep schedule is a mess this week. I‘ve been awake since 5am! So I‘ve written some #LitsyLove letters and am now reading with my furever companion, Theo! ❤️🐾

AmyG Sweet Theo ❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks That face says we need to go back to bed 🤣🤣🤣 2y
keithmalek He's cute! 2y
See All 9 Comments
batsy Theo! 😍 2y
JamieArc Hi Theo! (And hi to you too, Catie) 😁 2y
dabbe Thoughtful Theo! What an adorable pup! Those eyes! Those ears! That face!❣️🐾❣️ 2y
Sleepswithbooks My heart just burst into warm fuzzies seeing Theo‘s face 🐶❤️💛🥰 2y
MemoirsForMe Awww! That adorable face! Give Theo a hug for me! 🐶❤️ 2y
Bookbuyingaddict Look at that face 😘😘🥰🥰😍 1y
71 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Becker
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Now this should be interesting. ⚱️

Tamra I‘ve had my eye on this one for quite a while! 2y
Rissreads Love this! 2y
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TheEllieMo
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#12BooksOf2022

My favourite read in October was this exploration of how women have been portrayed on the various versions and retellings of the Greek Myths.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks a good read. 2y
BookmarkTavern This looks so interesting! 2y
34 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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RamsFan1963
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July's pick for #12BooksOf2022 came down to the tagged book and The Rise and Reign of The Mammals/Steve Brusatte. I chose Pandora's Jar because of my love for Greek Mythology and the profound way this book changed how I viewed those stories.
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks a good choice. 2y
55 likes1 comment
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catiewithac
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Harper, what a lovely holiday surprise!! Thank you so much for the very sweet #LitsyLove package. ❤️ I‘m already loving this book. 🤗 I‘m also obsessed with lotion and lip balm and loving this set. I haven‘t tried the coffee yet, but I expect it to fuel me through a few nights of holiday cookie baking! Thank you so much!!!!! ☕️ 😘

CoffeeNBooks Yay! I'm glad it got there. Thank you so much for helping keep my spirits up this year!! 💗 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
CoffeeNBooks I got a package from you today! Thank you! 💙 2y
catiewithac @CoffeeNBooks It‘s coming in 3 shipments. Sorry that Amazon split it up like that! 2y
CoffeeNBooks @catiewithac I'm saving all of my gifts until Christmas anyway, so that's fine. 😀 2y
44 likes5 comments
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HettyG
Pickpick

Another fascinating look at mythological women by a passionate author!

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TheEllieMo
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this look at how women in the Greek myths have been depicted, and how the depictions have changed over time, in keeping with the mores of society at the time. Haynes‘ writing is easy to read, peppered with modern references and amusing asides, making it a very accessible look at what can be made to be a very dry subject.

Aimeesue Haynes' podcast (Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics) is one of my faves. ❤️ 2y
TheEllieMo @Aimeesue it‘s good, isn‘t it?! Have you ever seen her live? She appears regularly at my local Literature Festival so I always try to get tickets 2y
Aimeesue @TheEllieMo Much to my dismay, lit and author-wise, I live in the US, so she does not appear in my locale on the regular. Now I'm jealous! 2y
33 likes3 comments
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BriannaT
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Pickpick

I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! I thought it would be a little dry, like other academic writings that analyze myth, but this was entertaining and made me laugh so many times. It made me look at important figures in a different light, and I learned some new things too. I don‘t think you have to be a myth buff to enjoy this book, as long as you have a good sense of humor and a ready mind it‘s a good read.

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Booksbymybed
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Pickpick

Final book of October and what a fascinating read! How well do we know the ladies of Greek mythology? I as it turned out not nearly well enough. An in depth look into stories of 10 women, how often do we see them represented as more than a conquest or accessory in popular culture? Looking forward to further reading on the subject.

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TheEllieMo
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I‘ve not been very active on Litsy for a while, lost my reading mojo and other things were demanding my time. I‘m reading more again now and want to try and be more active here again. I see the #WeeklyForecast is still a thing so here‘s my forecast. More studying and a continuation of my Natalie Haynes binge-reading!

Aimeesue Natalie Haynes! ❤️❤️❤️ Her podcast is one of my most favorite listens. 2y
23 likes1 comment
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Johanna414
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Pickpick

This book was excellent- I learned so much about Greek myths i wasn't already familiar with, but also those i thought i knew well. Haynes writes with such a great sense of humor that it kept me engaged.

Tamra I‘m just going to have to break down and buy this book! (edited) 2y
ZaidShaikh Hmmm! This looks like an interesting read. Saving it. 2y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Johanna414
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I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning so that I could be super lazy today. The kids are happily occupied with their own activities, so I‘m getting some #audiocrochet time in. I started this blanket last night for our daycare provider who is having some health issues lately

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perfectsinner
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Panpan

I think I had different expectations from this book than what I received. I thought it was just some retelling or their stories-- I hadn't quite realized that she did a master thesis in this genre and the work would be so full of technical details of the backstories, or reference so much historical artwork. Thus, I was bogged down through a lot of this book.

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perfectsinner
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Anyone else wanna stop constantly and Google the images of all the art pieces she speaks about for references?

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perfectsinner
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My two holds came in. Pandora's Jar & A Thousand Ships. Can't get enough mythology lately, I guess.
I tried to start this last night and I'm finding it a little more technical than I had thought it would be, but I'm hoping I'll still enjoy it.

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hissingpotatoes
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Pickpick

4/5⭐ A fascinating (if sometimes meandering) analysis of key women in Greek mythology. The book also explores the legacy of these stories through present day and how (mis)interpretations are often more misogynistic than the original context ever warranted. I liked when the author's sense of humor and personal perspectives came through. #bookspinbingo

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emmaturi
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I really enjoyed learning more about some of the women in Greek mythology and some women I didn't really know hardly anything about. I love her books and need to read her backlist.

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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

96/150 If you love Greek Mythology, as I do, then I highly recommend this book to you. Haynes takes the classic females from Greek Mythology (Medusa, Helen, Medea, etc) and shows how different ancient writers told their stories. Sometimes they were the villains, sometimes the victims, sometimes even the heroines. One of my favorite reads for 2022. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

tokorowilliamwallace Cozy mystery writer, Kerry Greenwood has a Greek goddess mythology series, and one of the volumes is all about Medea. 2y
RamsFan1963 @tokorowilliamwallace Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out. Thanks. 2y
70 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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PuSsNbOoKs
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Pickpick

Just buy it and learn things that will blow your mind!

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In Pandora‘s Jar, Haynes examines our understanding of women in Greek mythology and how in reality these women have been marginalized and made less important to the stories over time. It is deeply researched and completely fascinating. I may need to go back to this someday (which is unusual for me) to pick some of the details up. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Itchyfeetreader Loved this book! 2y
46 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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emmaturi
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I have been reading this all month, it's so fascinating hearing about different women in Greek mythology and how their lives turned out.

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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

Loved this. Now I‘m going to have to read more Euripides. I‘ve also been listening to the Hadestown soundtrack because Haynes mentions it in her chapter on Eurydice.

Tamra My hold just came in today! 👏🏾 2y
rabbitprincess @Tamra Yay! Enjoy 😊 2y
tokorowilliamwallace Yes! Euripides over Sophocles. 2y
rabbitprincess @tokorowilliamwallace I read Medea for a class in university and probably still have the book somewhere! 2y
21 likes4 comments
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mdemanatee
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Started this audiobook while making dinner and loving it so far.

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KarenUK
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Pickpick

Smart, feminist, witty and accessible….I loved this exploration of the Women of the Greek myths. Each chapter focuses on a key female character from mythology (eg. Helen, Medusa, Jocasta), and discusses her portrayal through the ages, misrepresentation and misogyny, referencing not only the classic Greek texts, but modern interpretations, fine art and pop culture. So informative and fascinating, I couldn‘t put this down.

Cinfhen ♥️🙌🏻 3y
BarbaraBB Great! I enjoyed her other book too about women in Greek history 3y
See All 6 Comments
squirrelbrain I really enjoyed A Thousand Ships too @BarbaraBB 3y
Cortg I haven‘t seen this one around! I appreciate her for highlighting the women of Greek mythology 🙌🏼 3y
KarenUK @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Cortg I really liked A Thousand ships too. And this non-fiction take had similar vibe… 💕 3y
55 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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BookBelle84
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Pickpick

This was a fascinating look at women in Greek mythology. It gave me a new appreciation for the myths and has made me think twice when it comes to my interpretation. It was enjoyable to listen to as the author narrated it herself.

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Bookish_Gal
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Pickpick

Very informative book about some of Greeks well know women. Whom were either villianized or left with one trait. I liked how the stories had many iterations from history being posed with serious questions. As well as describing surviving art. Most ladies were seen only as a wife, all other traits striped away. What if their stories held more? What if there was more to tier side of the story?
Loved Medusa story; I‘m partial to her story

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kera_11
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did Pandora really open a box full of all the bad things bc she was too curious or simply vindictive? or maybe it wasn‘t a box, maybe it was a jar that was top heavy and just fell off a table accidentally. also. who gave her a jar of bad things and how is this not their fault ???
a collection of essays on some of the most prominent women in Greek Mythology and whether they‘re a villain, victim, or monster, they‘re always a convenient scapegoat.

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Johanna414
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My sister-in-law and I both have birthdays this week, so my mom and grandma treated us to a girls day with shopping and lunch. Naturally, a bookstore was an essential part of the day! #bookhaul

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Oryx
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First outdoor reading of the year ☀️

Deblovestoread Sounds lovely! And I‘m looking forward to reading this book. Loved A Thousand Ships. 3y
squirrelbrain It‘s so nice in the sun isn‘t it?! 3y
66 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Dilara
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For #foodandlit #Greece, I think I am going to go with Women in the Greek Myths, as I'm a fan of the author's BBC podcasts Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b077x8pc/episodes/player). I'll read something by a contemporary Greek author later on.

#foodandlit2022
@Butterfinger, @Texreader, @Catsandbooks

Texreader That‘s perfect!! 3y
21 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

I already loved Natalie Haynes‘ novels but this was even more perfect. These essays on several famous women‘s roles in Greek myth is clearly written by a formidable expert, but also manages to be funny, thought provoking and sometimes very emotional. As much as what I learned from it, I loved the questions it made me ask about stories I thought I knew so well. Would recommend to anyone with any level of Greek knowledge

Tamra This has been on my TBR for quite awhile! I just haven‘t taken the plunge to buy it and I wouldn‘t want a library deadline with this kind of book. 3y
66 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Emilymdxn
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Little update on my #bookspinbingo board for January! I‘ve never managed a bingo or blackout before and I have a tendency to lose and abandon boards but now I have my beautiful 2022 journal with all my reading challenges in it I hope that won‘t happen! Current read tagged, I think I‘ve done pretty well this month so far! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looking fabulous!!! 3y
sophies_little_library Looks great! I recommend Dangers of Smoking 3y
66 likes2 comments
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Jadams89
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Pickpick

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this look at women in Greek myths and how their stories change depending on the writer/artist. I particularly loved the chapters on Pandora and Penelope. Haynes‘ witty commentary makes this a very enjoyable read. 5/5

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