Has mythology given Medea a bad rap? Has her story been distorted because it was more appealing to portray her as a lusty, vengeful, violent woman married to a golden-boy hero?

The essential conundrum, writes novelist Natalie Haynes, is Medea’s shift from superpowered sorceress to helpless, abandoned wife.

Medea is at the center of Haynes’ new novel about Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece and the tragedy that flows from their love affair. She joins host Kerri Miller on this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas to talk Medea’s essential juxtapositions and what ancient myths have to say to modern culture. They also talk about how Haynes’ time doing stand-up comedy informs her writing.

Guest:

• Natalie Haynes is a mythologist and the author of many novels, including “Stone Blind” and “A Thousand Ships.” Her new book is “No Friend to This House.”

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