Sunday, June 9, 2013

Medea-Kerry Greenwood

Medea


Kerry Greenwood

Poisoned Pen, Jun 4 2013, $24.95

ISBN 9781464201455



Princess of Colchis, Medea is a priestess of Hecate and guardian of the wood in which hangs the Golden Fleece. She also controls the serpent that violently guards this grove from intruders. Her childhood training was to safeguard at all costs the Golden Fleece that makes her kingdom prosperous.



When the Argo arrives at Colchis, the islanders welcome Captain Jason, his best friend Nauplius and the Argonauts. Jason flirts with Medea who falls in love with him. She switches loyalties and abets Jason’s stealing of the Golden Fleece. They sail home to claim his throne. Over the years, Jason abandons his wife who gave up everything for him, and ignores their children.



The latest Delphic Woman ancient historical Novel (see Out of the Black Land) is a powerful rendition of Medea that turns the accepted “mommy dearest” as written by Euripides on its head. The storyline is fast-paced throughout with several unexpected but fabulous twists. However, what makes this entry fresh is the Kerry Greenwood’s deep research supporting a different spin than that of the leading playwright of his time; as the reporter in Liberty Valance says: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”



Harriet Klausner



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