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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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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 Metaphysical & Visionary Women's Fiction Magic Mythology
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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)
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What stood out is how she strips off the fantastical elements and makes it into a more realist rendering of what might be the facts behind the myth

Greek myth retelling grounded in realism

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I adored this novel such a fascinating retelling of myth with a focus on the female perspective. The theme within the retelling of voice and words was so clever. I really didn't want it to end!

Fabulous

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Fell in love with Medusa’s story! What an interesting woman and myth. Onto Stone Blind now.

More Medusa

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I so enjoyed this tale, which I already knew, but this retelling does something quite extraordinary. It becomes deeply human and gave me insight into how a different narrative, or an increasingly embellished account, could grow out of real human experiences and eventually become the myth we are more familiar with.

I really, really enjoyed this retelling and will immediately listen to another of Claire Heywood’s retellings.

Am amazing and thought provoking retelling.

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I loved the characters and the nuanced take on the myth. Appreciated the different characters' demonstration of bravery, especially surrounding speech and silence.

Original and well-crafted

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