The Shadow of Perseus cover art

The Shadow of Perseus

A compelling feminist retelling of the myth of Perseus told from the perspectives of the women who knew him best

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Shadow of Perseus

By: Claire Heywood
Narrated by: Olivia Darnley
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

 The myth of Perseus, told through the story of the three women who knew him best - his mother Danae, his wife Andromeda, and his victim, Medusa.

History remembers him as a hero. But the women who knew him best remember a different man...

Perseus grows up wanting to be a hero, but he cannot become one if his mother Danae still sees him as a boy. When his stepfather Polydektes casts him away on a voyage across the sea, Perseus is determined to fulfil the great destiny of the son of a god and the grandson of a king. But the line between heroism and monstrosity is thin, and when Perseus attempts to seduce first gentle Medusa and then beautiful Andromeda, before finally reuniting with Danae, they each learn of the dangers of resisting a boy prepared to risk it all for greatness . . .

(p) 2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2023 Claire Heywood Coming of Age Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Magic Metaphysical & Visionary Women's Fiction Mythology

Critic Reviews

Heywood tells her story vividly, setting it convincingly in the period
A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart. (Elodie Harper)
A beautifully woven tale, Heywood triumphantly reclaims the stories of three of Greek Mythology's most deserving women. With brilliant, confident writing, The Shadow of Perseus has illuminated the stories of ladies too often relegated to the role of villain or damsel. (Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughters of Sparta trilogy)
Re-energizes the Perseus myth . . . By re-interpreting the familiar characters in human terms, Claire Heywood gives new life and a startling new perspective to an old tale. Original and engrossing (Margaret George, bestselling author of Helen Of Troy)
All stars
Most relevant
The retelling of this ancient myth from the main women's perspective, and in a more realistic way, was refreshing. Haywood made some very clever and enjoyable decisions, and it brings humanity, emotion and agency to characters usually dismissed. I especially liked the fresh take on the gorgons, and loved the theme of women's voices as their power. While I liked the overall plot and artistic decisions, I did feel that it was a bit drawn out and repetitive, and some things were laboured over unnecessarily. Maybe just a preference in writing style - but count how many times you hear 'spirit' in Andromeda's section and please let me know. Overall very good. :)

Worth a read - refreshing, if somewhat drawn out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.