In the many retellings of the Greek myths, the focus is generally on gods and heroes, but Natalie Haynes refocuses our gaze on the remarkable women at the centre of these ancient stories.
Natalie Haynes is a writer and broadcaster. She writes for the Guardian and the Independent. She was a judge for the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction, the 2013 Man Booker Prize, and the 2014 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. Natalie is the author of three novels: The Amber Fury, The Children of Jocasta and A Thousand Ships as well as two non-fiction books: The Ancient Guide to Modern Life and Pandora's Jar. She has spoken on the modern relevance of the classical world on three continents, from Cambridge to Chicago to Auckland. She is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4: reviewing for Front Row and Saturday Review, appearing as a team captain on three seasons of Wordaholics, as well as writing and presenting her own show Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics.
Reading Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes:
Funny, sharp explications of what these sometimes not-very-nice
women were up to, and how they sometimes made idiots of . . . but
read on!
*Margaret Atwood*
If I'm ever prosecuted, I'd like Natalie Haynes to defend me. She
argues persuasively, carving out space for women denied a voice
(Medusa), overshadowed (Jocasta) and unjustly condemned (Helen of
Troy) . . . Agile, rich, subversive, Pandora's Jar proves that the
classics are far from dead, and keep evolving with us.
*Mail on Sunday*
Haynes is a brilliant classicist as well as a stand-up comedian and
with her latest offering, Pandora's Jar, she has effectively
written the first textbook codifying this new feminist take on the
Greek myths.
*Herald*
Hugely enjoyable and witty
*Guardian*
Impassioned and informed . . . When Haynes gets down to retelling
the stories . . . and teasing out their distortions and elisions,
the book flies.
*Sunday Times*
An erudite, funny and sometimes angry attempt to fill in the blank
spaces.
*Observer*
Natalie Haynes reclaims the women we know from Greek myth . . .
from the accretions of misogyny that have become attached to their
stories down the centuries. The result is the best kind of academic
writing; engaged, engaging and fun (Beyoncé, Ray Harryhausen and
Buffy the Vampire Slayer all turn up within).
*Herald, Christmas Books 2020*
Witty and frequently surprising
*TLS*
Beyoncé, Star Trek, Ray Harryhausen . . . the most enjoyable book
about Greek myths you will ever read, absolutely brimming with
subversive enthusiasm.
*Mark Haddon*
Witty, erudite and subversive, this takes the women of Greek
myth—the women who are sidelined, vilified, misunderstood or
ignored—and puts them centre stage.
*Samantha Ellis, author of How to Be a Heroine and Take
Courage*
Natalie Haynes is beyond brilliant. Pandora’s Jar is a treasure box
of classical delights. Never has ancient misogyny been presented
with so much wit and style.
*Amanda Foreman*
Natalie Haynes is the nation's muse
*Adam Rutherford*
Natalie Haynes is both a witty and an erudite guide. She wears her
extensive learning lightly and deftly drags the Classics into the
modern world. I loved it.
*Kate Atkinson, author of Life After Life*
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
