Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes – [Review]

What’s the Buzz about this book?

A complex but fresh feminist take on a handful of Greek Goddesses and Deities. These women are introduced to the readers as unstoppable forces of nature that manage to live their lives surrounded by the male sphere. Greek mythology is a patriarchy and women are not expected (or depicted) as powerful…unless they are a goddess.

Goddess in Greek Myth: Divine Might by Natalie Haynes allows the voices and the lives of the Muses, Hera, Aphrodite, Artemis, Demeter, Hestia, Athene, and the Furies to have centre stage. Haynes notes the power of the creator to infuse their biases and wants into the vision that is created. The complexities of the woman are clear…they all have strengths, flaws, and motivations that all work to dictate their reactions to the environment and events.

I did not expect to see as many modern comparisons but it helped as Nonfiction can be a tad dry as a reading subject). I understood some of the references such as Artemis compared to Katniss Everdeen from Hunger Games. I enjoyed delving back into the Classical world once again. I cannot wait to see if I can see more modern representations of the Greek Goddesses.

Favourite Quote(s):

” And — most interestingly to me — would male and female characters be created in different ways?”

“When women make art like men do, their goddesses look divine.”
Page XV and XIX

Book Information:

Book Title: Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth

Author: Natalie Haynes

Summary:

“New York Times bestselling author Natalie Haynes returns to the world of ancient Greek myth in this scintillating follow-up to Pandora’s Jar. Few writers today have reshaped our view of the ancient Greek myths more than revered bestselling author Natalie Haynes. Divine Might is a female-centered look at Olympus and the Furies, focusing on the goddesses whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin, Infused with Haynes’s engaging charm and irrepressible wit, Divine Might is a refreshing take on the legends and stories we thought we knew. ” (As pulled from GoodReads)

Book Length: 259 pages

Genre: Greek Mythology, Non-Fiction, Feminism

Series: N/A

Spice Level ( If applicable): 0 / 5

Overall Rating: 7.8 / 10

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Stats + Facts:

There are 9 chapters.

The Goddesses that are analyzed: The Muses, Hera, Aphrodite, Artemis, Demeter, Hestia, Athene, and The Furies

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