We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera [Hardcover]

Doris Orgel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

In "life" they hardly got along, but their book is a triumph of witty, robust, spell-casting collaboration. The Greek myths have never before been told by their leading ladies. Nor ever before in such a charming, conversational yet dramatic and modern way. The tellings of Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera intertwine (though none repeats a myth), enabling us to hear more than one perspective on events and motives -- say, for instance, their wrangle over the golden apple and the outbreak of the Trojan War. And the cast of Olympian, mortal, and animal characters is unforgettable, as it has been since the times of Homer, Hesiod, Virgil, and Ovid, whose originals are the author's first sources here. Miraculous births, triumphs and sorrows in love, spats and adventures are all given a personal vividness, the voice of each goddess being distinctly her own. An introduction in the author's voice casts light on the Greeks' sense of right and wrong, and on their attitudes toward the social/political position of women (debased on earth, exalted on high), as well as explaining how children helped in the shaping of this book. In an Epilogue/Afterword, the goddesses personally invite readers to Olympus to choose among them as the young shepherd Paris had to. But now, their rivalries stilled, a sense of sisterhood prevails. Opulent original paintings adorn their tellings; back-matter pages of sculptures, vases, and friezes show how Classical artists imagined the goddesses, whose selves have proved to be deservedly immortal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Orgel (The Princess and the God; Ariadne, Awake!) again offers an original approach to Greek mythology. In a meaty and extended introduction, she outlines her feminist perspective, pointing out the low status of girls and women in ancient Greece and then recalling her own thwarted girlhood appetite for goddess stories ("Too few! too short!"). She lets Athena, Aphrodite and Hera narrate their own life stories. Athena, goddess of wisdom, most clearly questions patriarchal notions; for example, just after she joins the company on Mount Olympus, she is puzzled to hear Zeus speak of Athens as "the foremost city of men" ("Won't women live there too, and children?" she asks). Aphrodite, goddess of love, delivers the least involving narrative; she seems more vain than erotic. By contrast, the section on the goddess of marriage, Hera, offers the most provocative spin. This Hera admits that "quite often" she is "jealous, angry, vengeful." But her account of her marriage to the faithless Zeus makes readers understand her bad behavior and appreciate her marital fidelity. Orgel pays close attention to the judgment of Paris (Paris's choice of Aphrodite as the fairest goddess led to the Trojan War, as Orgel shows). In an epilogue, the goddesses have resolved their differences and none wants to repeat the contest--perhaps an overly optimistic ending, but indicative of the volume's idealism. Heyer's (The Weaving of a Dream) illustrations are oddly conventional; their pretty representations, paradoxically, undercut the vigor of Orgel's bold interpretations. Ages 10-14. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera tell their stories in this elaborate compilation. Orgel begins with a detailed introduction to gods and goddesses, women's lives in ancient Greece, and how and why she wrote the book. She also includes a double-page spread map of "Where the Stories Happen." Athena reveals her true mother's name and origins, and tells of her birth, her childhood, and her escapades. Next, Aphrodite relates her tale, full of lovers and affairs, including the story of the Golden Apple and how she, Athena, and Hera became rivals. Finally, Hera gives her account of her birth and subsequent swallowing by father Cronos; how she became Zeus's wife; her monstrous child, Typhaon; her hatred of Heracles; and the final reconciliation of the three goddesses. In an afterword, the author presents an original dialogue set on Mount Olympus featuring the reconciled goddesses who invite readers to participate. A sampling of "Olympians in Classical Art" includes six pages of reproductions with captions. Eight full-color watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, done in lush fantasy-style art, complement the stories. While the writing style is fluid, fresh, and easy to read, the subject matter is better suited for an older audience. Sidebars provide definitions and pronunciations. The stories show how women were treated in ancient Greece, offering a break from the traditional male view of mythology. Buy this for mythology buffs ready for a new point of view.
Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN; 1st edition (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789425866
• ISBN-13: 978-0789425867
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Holy Birdseed! That's a good book!, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera (Hardcover)

We Goddesses Is a dream come true for girls who love Athena,Hera,and Aphrodite! this book's Amazing text and pictures that jump right out at you will make it a lifetime favorite. It's as if Athena, Hera,and Aphrodite wrote it themselves! The thing is, they all had interesting beginnings. Well, that's all i'm going to tell you, so if you want to learn more just READ THE BOOK!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a gorgeous book..., January 28, 2001

By 

"analeland" (Hillsboro, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera (Hardcover)

I fell in love with this book the very moment I saw it. Drawing on the oft-overlooked power and beauty of the ancient goddesses, Orgel spins wonderful tales from the perspectives of Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera. She provides excellent background in her introduction, and additional information at the end. One of my favorite features about this book are the marginal notes to help with pronunciation, which include a brief description of the character or location it describes. And, I should emphasize, the illustrations in this book are absolutely -phenomenal-! This book uplifts the strength and depth of femininity in a positive way, allowing girls to have wonderful, heroic role models missing in the common damsel-in-distress characters, or the over-emphasized feminist roles that I personally feel negate the message that each woman can function from her own personal genius. This book should be read and savored for the brilliant, enchanting work of art it is.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly magical..., March 7, 2003

By 

C. Marbutt (Alabama) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera (Hardcover)

Orgel ties together a lot of myth and is amazingly faithful to the ancient sources despite the liberties she obviously takes. The book is a masterpiece. While the Goddesses may play important roles in Homer, too often we're looking from an all too male point of view--- Hera is the shrew, Aphrodite the over-sexed vixen and Athena, the puppet of her Father. Orgel's work leaves the Goddesses more alive, more vibrant, more mysterious than ever.