Divine Might - The Library of the Uncommons

English language

Published Sept. 27, 2023 by Pan Macmillan.

ISBN:: 978-1-5290-8949-3

View on OpenLibrary

(2 reviews)

6 editions

MH Thaung reviewed Divine Might by Natalie Haynes

Easy to read, but lacking depth

No rating

I read and enjoyed Pandora’s Jar by the same author a few years ago, which addressed the depiction (or lack of) of women in Greek mythology. So I was curious to see how Haynes handled the portrayal of goddesses. Each chapter covers a different goddess, some with more source material than others.

I found Divine Might a weaker book overall. Her chatty style remains readable, but I found myself disengaged from the personal opinions/anecdotes and coverages of various movies. (I will state here that I watch neither television programmes nor films). Modern comparisons are all very well and might appeal to many readers, but I missed a more scholarly coverage of historical “reception.”

Divine Might was a pleasant enough read, but I don’t feel I came away feeling more knowledgeable or insightful than before I picked up the book.

Scott reviewed Divine Might by Natalie Haynes

Excellent essays

4 stars

9.5 star Yet another great book by Natalie H. This one is a series of essays about goddesses Natalie has not gone in-depth about before. Except for her fav, Athene, who she goes further in-depth on.

But all is well told. As usual, she simultaneously rehabilitates them. AND shines a light on their damning qualities. She doesnt treat the transmogrifications and other odd punishments as "quirky things gods do sometimes". But as the cruel and unusual acts they are, that sometimes are beyond the wrong done.

However, the essays also acknowledge the cruel wrongs done to them. The effects that would have on a person. She also does an excellent job of bringing these stories not only in to context of where they came from, but somehow also into our modern context too. And again, she also excels at reading her own work for the audiobook.

CW: talk of rape, …

9.5 star Yet another great book by Natalie H. This one is a series of essays about goddesses Natalie has not gone in-depth about before. Except for her fav, Athene, who she goes further in-depth on.

But all is well told. As usual, she simultaneously rehabilitates them. AND shines a light on their damning qualities. She doesnt treat the transmogrifications and other odd punishments as "quirky things gods do sometimes". But as the cruel and unusual acts they are, that sometimes are beyond the wrong done.

However, the essays also acknowledge the cruel wrongs done to them. The effects that would have on a person. She also does an excellent job of bringing these stories not only in to context of where they came from, but somehow also into our modern context too. And again, she also excels at reading her own work for the audiobook.

CW: talk of rape, kidnapping, depression, violence, abusive relationships #Bookstodon #Books #GreekMythology #Mythology #NonFiction #NatalieHaynes

Subjects

Religion