The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Another amazing feminist Greek mythology retelling, but without gods.

What is the story of Perseus (killer of Medusa) if you take out all the parts where the gods intervene? Claire Haywood reintroduces us to the story of Perseus through the lives of the three women most affected by him; his mother, Medusa and Andromeda.

The Perseus myth was always unhinged and extremely unkind to the women in it, more so than many others. So when you remove the 'divine' support from his mission you're left with a misogynist, incel to be feared, not celebrated.

This was such a creative and insightful way to explore the many myths that describe who these women are, illustrating them as fully formed humans with agency and a destiny all their own before Perseus arrives.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and highly recommend! The narration is amazing and reminds me of the narration from Madeline Miller's Circe.

This book is best read while eating bread dipped in oil, lounging in the sun by blue water - surrounded by your best girl friends.