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I loved this deep dive into the women of Greek mythology. Haynes examines the ways in which the stories of these women have changed, and even disappeared, over time. It's insightful, thorough, and quite witty.

I also really want to read Euripides now.

This would be a good pick for July's Feminist Spin prompt for #storyspins.

This was a great deep dive into the women in Greek myths. Haynes gives these women their voices in a new way, using scholarship from original sources to better understand their stories, which have often been transformed over time to villainize them. Each essay on a different Greek woman is smart and funny, and brings a new perspective to a well-known myth.
#MonthlyNonfiction2025 @julieclair

Oh, yes. I am now confident I could happily listen to Natalie Haynes talk about any Greek myth or mythical figure. Her blend of a critical feminist lens, and an appreciation for myth depicted in both ancient and modern literary sources, as well as art from the ancient and modern world, i.e artifacts, film, is such a joy to experience, especially in her own voice. Highly recommend the audio book. 1/2

I don‘t read a lot of nonfiction but this was a fascinating one. Thoroughly informative, but told in a clever and witty, almost conversational, manner, that makes the information really accessible and easily comprehensible. Definitely a good choice for an audiobook — thanks for the tip, @Gleefulreader — as the author‘s voice is perfect here: wry, strong, and funny. Highly recommend if you have any interest in myths and legends.

I had this book on my shelf for a while but picked up the audio on sale and I‘m SO glad I did. Haynes narrates the book and she is funny and opinionated and highly compelling and I could not wait to get back into my car to listen to her take various women in Ancient Greek myth. I have book Divine Might waiting for my next car trip. Highly recommended, particularly on audio.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
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

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

#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

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

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.

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!🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

Waiting for doctor time = Reading time! 💖

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.

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.

4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 #greekmythology #women

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 👇🏻

Loved every minute
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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!

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.

"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

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

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! ❤️🐾

Now this should be interesting. ⚱️

#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

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

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!!!!! ☕️ 😘

Another fascinating look at mythological women by a passionate author!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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!

I have been reading this all month, it's so fascinating hearing about different women in Greek mythology and how their lives turned out.

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.

Started this audiobook while making dinner and loving it so far.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

This was a brilliant excerpt on my favorite Greek tragedies-Aeschelyus' The Oresteian trilogy. I was unaware of Haynes book, scheduled for publication tomorrow, but ordered it based off of this. (Contains numerous spoilers) @batsy have you seen this?
https://lithub.com/is-clytemnestra-an-archetypically-bad-wife-or-a-heroically-av...