SKU: 80836263579

Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths

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Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek MythsNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "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, author of The Handmaid's Tale The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships returns with a fascinating, eye opening take on the remarkable women at the heart of classical stories Greek mythology from Helen of Troy to Pandora and the Amazons to Medea. In the world

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"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, author of The Handmaid's Tale

The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships returns with a fascinating, eye-opening take on the remarkable women at the heart of classical stories Greek mythology from Helen of Troy to Pandora and the Amazons to Medea.

In the world of ancient Greece, the tellers of myths--historically men--have routinely sidelined the female characters. When they do take a larger role, women are often portrayed as monstrous, vengeful or just plain evil--like Pandora, the woman of eternal scorn and damnation whose curiosity is tasked with causing all the world's suffering and wickedness when she opened that forbidden box. But, as Natalie Haynes reveals, in ancient Greek myths there was no box. It was a jar . . . which is far more likely to tip over.

In Pandora's Jar, the broadcaster, writer, stand-up comedian, and passionate classicist turns the tables on classical mythology, putting the women of the Greek myths on an equal footing with the men. With wit, humor, and savvy, Haynes revolutionizes our understanding of epic poems, stories, and plays in this engaging feminist retelling, resurrecting them from a woman's perspective and tracing the origins of their mythic female characters. She looks at women such as Jocasta, Oedipus' mother-turned-lover-and-wife (turned Freudian sticking point), at once the cleverest person in the story and yet often unnoticed. She considers Helen of Troy, whose marriage to Paris "caused" the Trojan war--a somewhat uneven response to her decision to leave her husband for another man. She demonstrates how the vilified Medea was like an ancient Beyonce--getting her revenge on the man who hurt and betrayed her, if by extreme measures. And she turns her eye to Medusa, the original monstered woman, whose stare turned men to stone, but who wasn't always a monster, and had her hair turned to snakes as punishment for being raped.

Pandora's Jar brings nuance and care to the millennia-old myths and legends and asks the question: Why are we so quick to villainize these women of Greek myth in the first place--and so eager to accept the stories we've been told?

  • Mythology Retold: Discover why Pandora didn't have a box but a jar (far more likely to tip over), and how that simple mistranslation changed our view of the world's first woman.
  • Feminist History: Explore how the stories of powerful figures were reshaped by the men who told them, turning characters like the monstrous Medusa into victims punished for being assaulted.
  • Unique Angles on Classic Tales: See the women of myth in a new light, from the vilified Medea--reimagined as an ancient Beyoncé getting revenge--to Helen of Troy, whose choice of husband resulted in a somewhat uneven response.
  • Accessible Classical Studies: Join a passionate classicist and comedian as she reveals the cleverness of Jocasta, the nuance of Clytemnestra, and the truth behind the formidable women we thought we knew.
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SKU: 80836263579

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SweetRead
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Courage with a Dose of Strength
Format: Kindle
I believe this book took a lot of courage to write. To me she did a great job of not showing bitterness just love, confusion, and taking back the power. Belle admitted to her struggles and being knocked off her feet by what happened. She asked the questions and was left with No answers. She picked herself up and proved she was strong. I love that she still believes in her life story. That she still believes in love. But i also admire that she recognized the cycle and is going to break it for her kids. So, hopefully this book will be another way people realize we need to stop shifting the blame do the victim. Put ownership where it belongs. Stop, listen, and be a friend.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
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Michelle Weber
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
a modern love story
Format: Kindle
This book captured my attention from the first line. She has a way of making you feel the emotions, heartache, and even loving memories she shares. I literally remember stopping to tell my boyfriend I couldn't wait to have kids because of the way she described picking up her children from school and their innocent smiles as soon as they saw her. It's a tragedy and a love story, and a coming to her own all in one. Loved this book!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026
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SCH
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Memories Are Made of This
Format: Kindle
Belle Burden has overcome a weighty burden—pun intended! Strangers is a book of many colors. There is so much of the overcast gray of heartbreak and estrangement. There is plenty of the blue of heavy disappointment and grief. But happily for every reader, there are so many of the bright colors of happiness and fulfillment. The premise of this memoir has been well documented—a wealthy, privileged life led by a woman of means is interrupted by the abrupt departure of her husband for points unknown. Children remain—-lodged in some difficult ‘tween years. Central is the woman who just happens to be made of pretty stern stuff as it turns out and who is a brilliant writer. Belle Burden is the belle of her own tale. She shares it all with the reader in un-put-down-able prose, sparing nothing, We are richer for reading Belle Burden’s beautifully crafted memoir. The warm glow of hope is there for all to share. Well done!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
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Nana Banana
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
BRAVO!
Format: Kindle
Bravely written account of a very painful time in a persons life. Told with out malice and highlights the awful task of having to go through a divorce navigating your way under almost suffocating circumstances. Be strong and realize that whether a person wants it or not, you are forced face the fact that you are making the most important financial decsion of your life.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
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Michelegg
Houston, US
★★★★★ 4
Surprisingly Unputdownable
Format: Kindle
I read saw several reviews that said this book wasn’t really about anything, and they were right. There was no big drama, no fighting, no headline news. But there was something in the writing that felt profound and I couldn’t stop reading. And I’m glad I didn’t. In the end for me, this was a story about a marriage, and choices that were made and the strength of a woman who wouldn’t be silent, and the writing that brought so much emotion with it that I wound up feeling all of it so deeply. And when a writer can create those feelings in me, then her book was definitely worth reading. I highly recommend this book - I don’t think you’ll regret the time you spend in its pages. I know I didn’t.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026

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