The author once again combines humour with strong knowledge and passion for Greek mythology to bring the Greek goddesses into the 21st century.
From the muses to the furies, Natalie Haynes effectively explores the stories behind the Goddesses of Greek mythology through a feminist perspective and in many ways makes them feel more human by highlighting their strengths as well as their flaws.
Written with great focus and attention to detail, Haynes has crafted a book that is fascinating to read from start to finish particularly when she also highlights just how much Greek mythology is still interwoven into popular culture today. Not only does she refer back to the works of Homer, Ovid, Sophocles and Aeschylus but also visual art, film and television to offer a fascinating insight into these Greek Goddesses and why they shouldn’t be simply defined to (in many ways) a side role.
This is something that is made distinctly clear in the way in which the story of Persephone (who ends up being the queen of the underworld having been kidnapped) and Demeter is re-examined, with Haynes providing a strong argument about how horrendous the whole story is but equally how on closer attention shows the love that Demeter had for Persephone that she would stop at nothing to get her back.
There is real heart and soul in the way in which Haynes has written this book and while at times it meanders slightly, it is always entertaining and easy to engage with. She really brings each of the Goddesses to life and actually it is perhaps the lesser known or written about ones that make the most impact – such as Hestia, who may not be outwardly referred to or prayed to as much as the others – but given she was the Goddess of the Hearth it is certainly worth remembering every home pays tribute to her. Each Goddess is given equal respect and treatment and you feel as though you have a deeper understanding of them.
But Haynes also helps us to change our perspective of them as well. Aphrodite might have been the Goddess of love and desire, but she had plenty of power to make people who displeased her suffer a lot, while the furies Haynes argues could also be seen as an early form of justice and sense of moral obligation – despite in many stories involving them they are terrifying. Meanwhile, Hera who has always been seen as jealous and vindictive wife to Zeus (her levels of revenge knew no bounds), but on further examination, Haynes suggests that there is more to her than that.
It is consistently thoughtful, insightful and funny and is a must-read to anyone with a passion for Greek mythology and wants one more book on it in their collection. Highly recommended.
By Emma Clarendon
Divine Might is available to buy now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐