'Medea' by J.J. Taylor is the story of a woman whose story has been eclipsed by the men around her. Until now. J.J. Taylor delves beneath the myths and stories of the past, of the heroes and gods of a bygone age. Medea was much more than a footnote in the tales of fathers, husbands and lovers. She was powerful, bold and influential.
Feared by some and loved by others, Medea was a vessel of the goddess, a channel. An unhappy home life and cruelty from within her own family did not break her. She found strength to fight back and forge on. Her journeys took her far away and tested her. I found her a fascinating character.
J.J. Taylor describes the world beautifully, taking the reader on their own journey through mythology and the classics. No prior knowledge is needed in this particular area, as the author has embedded her knowledge throughout in a very accessible way.
The writing is poetic, transporting the reader to a time and place far in the past and in the realms of the imagination. She captures the feeling of the time perfectly.
Medea is a woman of her time, and a woman for all times. She has strength, purpose and a steely determination. She was not afraid to take action when required - sometimes bloody and dangerous. This is an epic tale of a life, of a woman to be admired and revered.I loved it.
