Pandora's Jar

Women in the Greek Myths

By: Natalie Haynes

Narrated by: Natalie Haynes

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

“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.

The tellers of Greek 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, 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, 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 in the first place—and so eager to accept the stories we’ve been told?

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Natalie Haynes (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Educational

Well researched and educational, but complex material. The author and narrator does a wonderful job.

Just wonderful

This is a pleasure to listen to because not only is the author an engaging and entertaining reader but also, in addition to really knowing her stuff, she has brought freshness, thought, care and wit to a beloved set of stories.

Wow!

What an achievement! A Thousand Ships and Pandora’s Jar are a tremendous one-two punch to the face of mostly male-dominated retellings of Greek tales. And the far-reaching scope of the analysis of the tales and retellings Natalie Haynes provides is astonishing.

Another hit for me

Just so good if you love women then you will love this book! Im an instant fan!

Perfection.

A great work that takes us from the Iliad to Medusa memes to Beyoncé videos. Women seen through clearer eyes.

Enlightening and entertaining!

I wish Ms. Haynes wrote and read all the non-fiction books on this site. And I imagine she'd do remarkably at fiction, as well. Seriously, anyone with an interest in Greek mythology needs to read this. As does every Greek male, as most could benefit from some perspective.

A closer look at the women of Greek mythology

We’ve all heard the stories of the heroes of myth. This book takes a closer look at the women.

Beautiful

I listened to this after finishing A Thousand Ships- which I adore and have recommended to almost every woman in my life.. and several men… this book did not disappoint. Some stories are familiar after listening to A Thousand Ships but the depth and brilliance of each of these stories is so well done. Natalie Haynes as an amazing voice for narration. I could listen to her voice all day.

Fantastic Read

For anyone who loves Mythology, especially Greek mythology, this book is a joy to listen to. The author is both academic and highly understandable for the layman.

College Class but very enjoyable

This is like listening to your favorite professor, but not a traditional story or novel. I really enjoyed it but thought it was going to be a retelling like Miller’s Circe. Very enjoyable info nonetheless.