A spunky, feminist take on the myth of Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth
Tales of Great Goddesses is a new series of books that bring the stories of some of the most powerful and fascinating mythical goddesses to life! The last book concentrated on the well-known goddess Athena. Gaia: Goddess of Earth is a second of a series of Tales of Great Goddesses. Gaia was part of the Titans way before the Olympian gods. I love Isabel Greenberg’s raw illustrations, they have an innocence that resonates with uniqueness.
Today we are surrounded by the original retelling of the Greek gods by such podcasters as Liv Albert with her show Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Women are celebrating the power of women within these stories. The gods did behave badly toward women and goddesses in many of these myths. However, you will find many strong goddesses who swayed influence and power easily as their male god counterparts. It’s great to see today’s writers and artists mine these great characters and refresh them for today’s audience.
The writing of Gaia: Goddess of Earth has a little edge to it, just right for today’s audience. We need a different perspective other than Edith Hamilton’s original voice. Imogen Greenberg is the perfect voice for these classic strong women. The Greenbergs are unto something special here. I hope they go back in the well and tell us more stories of women in myths.
Long before the age of the Olympian gods, Gaia created the world in all its beauty. But from Gaia also came the Titans, who ran wild and free through this world—until her husband Ouranos turned on Gaia and declared himself the ruler of all she’d created. Her son Cronus then rose to power, but soon he too became hungry for more power—so much so that he swallowed his own children. But Gaia managed to hide the youngest son, Zeus, from Cronus. Zeus grew up and defeated Cronus and saved his brothers and sisters. Gaia thought this would be the end of all the needless war, but Zeus was not satisfied—he swore to rid the world of anyone who challenged his power. Gaia was furious. She wanted no part in the world of Zeus. She would not fight his destruction with more destruction. It might be too late for Zeus, but it wasn’t too late for the mortals—or for the earth itself. Follow the goddess of Earth through her struggles with gods and mortals as she discovers her strength and eventually finds the peace she has always longed for.
Isabel Greenberg is an award-winning illustrator, comic artist, and writer. Her graphic novels have received starred reviews, won the Best Book Award at the British Comic Awards, and won the Observer/Cape/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize, among other praise. Isabel has worked with a variety of clients, including the Guardian, Nobrow Press, The National Trust, and the New York Times. She lives in London and enjoys illustrating all things historical.
Imogen Greenberg loves writing history books and myths for children. When not writing, she works in arts and theater administration. She lives in London.
Of interest: Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!