Listen free for 30 days
-
Pandora's Jar
- Women in the Greek Myths
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $32.62
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
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.
You may also enjoy...
-
A Thousand Ships
- A Novel
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen. From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women whose lives, loves, and rivalries were forever altered by this long and tragic war.
-
-
Not happy
- By MoonShyne on 2021-06-01
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Stone Blind
- A Novel
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.
-
-
One of the best audio books
- By Chelsea Patterson on 2023-02-24
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Divine Might
- Goddesses in Greek Myth
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few writers today have reshaped our view of the ancient Greek myths more than revered bestselling author Natalie Haynes. Divine Might is a female-centered look at Olympus and the Furies, focusing on the goddesses whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Kirsty Phillips on 2024-01-18
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Elektra
- A Novel
- Written by: Jennifer Saint
- Narrated by: Beth Eyre, Jane Collingwood, Julie Teal
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Clytemnestra marries Agamemnon, she ignores the insidious whispers about his family line, the House of Atreus. But when, on the eve of the Trojan War, Agamemnon betrays Clytemnestra in the most unimaginable way, she must confront the curse that has long ravaged their family. In Troy, Princess Cassandra has the gift of prophecy, but carries a curse of her own: No one will ever believe what she sees. When she is shown what will happen to her beloved city when Agamemnon and his army arrives, she is powerless to stop the tragedy from unfolding.
-
-
Great! Definitely Worth a read for sure but…
- By MoonShyne on 2022-05-06
Written by: Jennifer Saint
-
Ariadne
- A Novel
- Written by: Jennifer Saint
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur.
-
-
No “Circe” but a great story
- By MoonShyne on 2021-08-31
Written by: Jennifer Saint
-
Lies We Sing to the Sea
- Written by: Sarah Underwood
- Narrated by: Saffron Coomber, Ioanna Kimbook, Sebastian Humphreys
- Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Each spring, Ithaca condemns twelve maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago. But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island and meets a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea. A girl named Melantho, who says one more death can stop a thousand.
-
-
A really beautiful book.
- By Tyne on 2023-11-09
Written by: Sarah Underwood
-
A Thousand Ships
- A Novel
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen. From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women whose lives, loves, and rivalries were forever altered by this long and tragic war.
-
-
Not happy
- By MoonShyne on 2021-06-01
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Stone Blind
- A Novel
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.
-
-
One of the best audio books
- By Chelsea Patterson on 2023-02-24
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Divine Might
- Goddesses in Greek Myth
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few writers today have reshaped our view of the ancient Greek myths more than revered bestselling author Natalie Haynes. Divine Might is a female-centered look at Olympus and the Furies, focusing on the goddesses whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Kirsty Phillips on 2024-01-18
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Elektra
- A Novel
- Written by: Jennifer Saint
- Narrated by: Beth Eyre, Jane Collingwood, Julie Teal
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Clytemnestra marries Agamemnon, she ignores the insidious whispers about his family line, the House of Atreus. But when, on the eve of the Trojan War, Agamemnon betrays Clytemnestra in the most unimaginable way, she must confront the curse that has long ravaged their family. In Troy, Princess Cassandra has the gift of prophecy, but carries a curse of her own: No one will ever believe what she sees. When she is shown what will happen to her beloved city when Agamemnon and his army arrives, she is powerless to stop the tragedy from unfolding.
-
-
Great! Definitely Worth a read for sure but…
- By MoonShyne on 2022-05-06
Written by: Jennifer Saint
-
Ariadne
- A Novel
- Written by: Jennifer Saint
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur.
-
-
No “Circe” but a great story
- By MoonShyne on 2021-08-31
Written by: Jennifer Saint
-
Lies We Sing to the Sea
- Written by: Sarah Underwood
- Narrated by: Saffron Coomber, Ioanna Kimbook, Sebastian Humphreys
- Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Each spring, Ithaca condemns twelve maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago. But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island and meets a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea. A girl named Melantho, who says one more death can stop a thousand.
-
-
A really beautiful book.
- By Tyne on 2023-11-09
Written by: Sarah Underwood
-
Ithaca
- Written by: Claire North
- Narrated by: Catrin Walker-Booth
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom. Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door. No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus' empty throne—not yet.
-
-
Hard to follow
- By Debbie Krueger on 2024-11-12
Written by: Claire North
-
Kaikeyi
- A Novel
- Written by: Vaishnavi Patel
- Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
- Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on legends of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.
-
-
excellent story to be swept up in.
- By Anonymous User on 2023-03-28
Written by: Vaishnavi Patel
-
Emperor
- A New Life of Charles V
- Written by: Geoffrey Parker
- Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
- Length: 26 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The life of Emperor Charles V (1500-1558), ruler of Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and much of Italy and Central and South America, has long intrigued biographers. But the elusive nature of the man (despite an abundance of documentation), his relentless travel and the control of his own image, together with the complexity of governing the world's first transatlantic empire, complicate the task.
Written by: Geoffrey Parker
-
Galatea
- Written by: Madeline Miller
- Narrated by: Ruth Wilson
- Length: 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece—the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen—the gift of life. After marrying her, he expects Galatea to please him, to be obedience and humility personified. But she has desires of her own and yearns for independence. In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, Galatea is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost.
-
-
Why spoil it with indecent language?
- By Shamar King on 2024-04-18
Written by: Madeline Miller
-
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics: Series 1-4
- A Comical Guide to Ancient Greece and Rome
- Written by: Natalie Haynes
- Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Writer, broadcaster and recovering comedian Natalie Haynes mixes comedy and conversation to bring the ancient world entertainingly up to date in these four radio series. Each episode sees her profiling a key figure from ancient Greece and Rome, and, aided by her special guests, creating a stand-up show around them.
Written by: Natalie Haynes
-
Winterset Hollow
- Written by: Jonathan Edward Durham
- Narrated by: Jonathan Edward Durham
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history laid in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction...especially on Addington Isle.
-
-
This is An AMAZING Book!!
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-10-12
Written by: Jonathan Edward Durham
-
This Is Going to Hurt
- Secret Diaries of a Young Doctor
- Written by: Adam Kay
- Narrated by: Adam Kay
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to 97-hour weeks. Welcome to life and death decisions. Welcome to a constant tsunami of bodily fluids. Welcome to earning less than the hospital parking meter. Wave goodbye to your friends and relationships. Welcome to the life of a first-year doctor. Scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights, and missed weekends, comedian and former medical resident Adam Kay’s This Is Going to Hurt provides a no-holds-barred account of his time on the front lines of medicine.
-
-
Must read
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-11-08
Written by: Adam Kay
-
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals
- A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us
- Written by: Steve Brusatte
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We humans are the inheritors of a dynasty that has reigned over the planet for nearly 66 million years, through fiery cataclysm and ice ages: the mammals. Our lineage includes saber-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, armadillos the size of a car, cave bears three times the weight of a grizzly, clever scurriers that outlasted Tyrannosaurus rex, and even other types of humans, like Neanderthals.
-
-
Excellent Follow Up That Stands On It’s Own
- By Sebastian on 2022-07-12
Written by: Steve Brusatte
-
How Stella Learned to Talk
- The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog
- Written by: Christina Hunger
- Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon, Stella the Dog
- Length: 7 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An incredible, revolutionary true story, How Stella Learned to Talk is also a surprisingly simple guide to teaching your dog to talk from speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger, who has taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using simple paw-sized buttons associated with different words.
-
-
Truly inspiring!
- By Sylvie La Chapelle on 2021-07-23
Written by: Christina Hunger
-
You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey
- Crazy Stories About Racism
- Written by: Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar
- Narrated by: Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar
- Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Now a writer and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers and host of The Amber Ruffin Show, Amber Ruffin lives in New York, where she is no one's first Black friend and everyone is, as she puts it, "stark raving normal". But Amber's sister Lacey? She's still living in their home state of Nebraska, and trust us, you'll never believe what happened to Lacey.
-
-
Wow
- By Murdoch on 2021-01-15
Written by: Amber Ruffin, and others
-
When the Moon Was Ours
- Written by: Anna-Marie McLemore
- Narrated by: Raviv Ullman, Bailey Carr
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel's wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches.
-
-
They and Their
- By MLD on 2023-08-12
Written by: Anna-Marie McLemore
-
Atalanta
- A Novel
- Written by: Jennifer Saint
- Narrated by: Beth Eyre
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Princess Atalanta is born, a daughter rather than the son her parents hoped for, she is left on a mountainside to die. But even then, she is a survivor. Raised by a mother bear under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows up wild and free, with just one condition: if she marries, Artemis warns, it will be her undoing. Although she loves her beautiful forest home, Atalanta yearns for adventure. When Artemis offers her the chance to fight in her name alongside the Argonauts, the fiercest band of warriors the world has ever seen, Atalanta seizes it.
-
-
More of This, Please
- By Anonymous User on 2024-07-22
Written by: Jennifer Saint
What listeners say about Pandora's Jar
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sarah
- 2023-10-20
Absolutely excellent
I was expecting something more like mythos, in terms of full on story telling, but this was in some ways even better. So insightful! I learned so many new aspects to many stories from Greek myth, and felt like in many instances these women were finally being given due credit. To really know them as full, multi dimensional characters.
I was also, tbh, shocked a number of times at how much of the women’s story, or background, or character, has been stripped away in more modern works compared to ancient ones.
The authors performance is also excellent, I had many chuckles and laughs at her cheeky asides and her voice is very pleasant to listen to. I loved this. If you enjoy Greek mythology and/or ancient history, this is a must listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- loralou
- 2023-05-19
Fan freaking tasting
Well written and a thoroughly education insight to women in mythology fan freaking tasting learned so much.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Quinn
- 2024-02-16
Interesting content, beautiful narration!
Love the narration as well as the content. I’ve already recommended this to two of my students
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bella Bekah
- 2022-09-11
A must read.
Amazing, insightful, educational and well written. I enjoyed every minute. The research was in-depth and scholarly, she did an amazing job.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Leah Logan
- 2022-12-19
Fantastic!
The author knows her genre, her research is in-depth and varied and her narration is perfect. I am a huge fan of these myths and to hear the way she unfolds the hostories and stories of these women is excellent.
I was in awe of the way the author weaved in so many other mediums including 'The Simpsons', 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and Margaret Atwood, Aart, sculpture and song.
Fabulous
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrea S. England
- 2023-06-13
A fascinating exploration of the women in Green mythology
A fascinating and intelligent retelling and analysis of the stories of key women in Greek mythology. Haines’ dry wit and pop culture references make this a fun read/ listen, but it’s also thoroughly researched, tracking the portrayal of these women through versions of their myths throughout history, from Euripides and Homer to Margaret Atwood and Rick Riordan. Highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Danielle McLaughlin
- 2023-10-23
A Fantastic Analysis of Women in Greek Myth
I purchased this book not knowing what it was going to be, but ended up falling in love with it.
Its very rare that women of greek myth have any attention other than being wrathful or scorned, cheated on or r worded, so it is always refreshing to hear about the myths throughout the ages and how the tellings changed with time.
One of my favourite books by far and a great way to bring light to women who are often overlooked. Well done!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Atlas
- 2023-08-20
Highly interesting retelling of Greek myths
Great narration and very interesting retelling of Greek myths from a different perspective. New info blended with old.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KT
- 2022-07-17
perfect mythological insight
it was so wonderful to hear the author herself narrate her novel. the viewpoint from women is so deeply important and this book gave me deep inspiration to listen to, as well. spurred lots of conversations with friends too. 5 stars, 100 percent, full on wonderful. absolutely take a listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-09-14
Love this!
This book is delightful! Well written, incredibly researched and the passion from the author is inspiring. I am so glad I listened to this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!