Ginevra Lamberti Book order (chronological)

Haynes is master of her trade, breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories. The national bestselling author returns with a fresh take on Medusa, the original monstered woman. As the youngest of the Gorgon sisters and the only mortal in her family, Medusa experiences change and weakness that her immortal siblings do not. Her mortal lifespan creates a sense of urgency. After being assaulted by Poseidon in Athene's temple, Athene, enraged by the violation, punishes Medusa instead of the god. Transformed with snakes for hair and a gaze that turns living beings to stone, Medusa is cursed to a life of solitude, unable to love without causing destruction. Her fate intertwines with Perseus, who embarks on a quest to retrieve a Gorgon's head. In this retelling, Haynes challenges our understanding of the myth, infusing it with empathy and nuance. She highlights the theme of a woman injured by a powerful man, who is then blamed and punished for the assault. Through her passion and wit, Haynes revitalizes Medusa's story, offering a timely narrative that resonates with contemporary issues.

In the many retellings of the Greek myths, the focus is generally on gods and heroes, but Natalie Haynes refocuses our gaze on the remarkable women at the centre of these ancient stories.