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

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The Shadow of Perseus

By: Claire Heywood
Narrated by: Olivia Darnley
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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...

©2023 Claire Heywood (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Ancient Fantasy Fiction Historical Fiction Magic Women's Fiction Mythology
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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.

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