The Mighty Goddess - by Sally Pomme Clayton (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The mighty goddess reimagines myths in poetic language, putting the goddess at the centre of the narrative, exploring the many ways in which goddesses are represented."--Page [4] of cover.

Book Synopsis

The Goddess in all her glory! A celebration of important and powerful goddess mythologies from around the world.

This stunning collection brings together goddess mythologies from across the globe: familiar, unknown, forgotten -- spectacular! Written by pioneering storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton, whose 30-year career has focused on researching female protagonists, these tales are conjured in vivid and poetic language.

The book includes information about the pattern of myths and how they are represented globally and revels in the female, exploring desire, death, and the female body. Journey from Alaska to Mesopotamia and visit ancient Persian and Aztec cultures, meeting Sedna whose fingertips become sea creatures and Persephone whose sojourn in the Underworld brings Spring.

This is the most significant contemporary collection of goddess myths and encourages readers to value the female, preserve culture and re-ignite storytelling traditions.

Review Quotes

"Clayton and Herxheimer's project is a woven one, relating the complex nature and stories of the goddess that transcend cultural boundaries." -- Booklist

"This pourquoi tale from ancient Greek mythology has everything to recommend it to modern readers. Clayton employs vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and loads of action to convey adventure, grief, love, drama, and the circle of life. . . A beautiful retelling of an enduring myth." --Kirkus Reviews on Persephone

"By opening a window to folkloric traditions not previously explored in American children's books, Clayton provides much material to tantalize storytellers, listeners, and readers alike." --School Library Journal on Tales Told in Tents

About the Author

Sally Pomme Clayton is a pioneering storyteller and writer who has been creating performances, books and plays for more than 40 years, and has played a pivotal role in the storytelling revival. Her groundbreaking shows focus on powerful female protagonists, such as 'The Frog Princess Punked', a hybrid performance with girl punk band and live projection. She is author of 15 children's books and this is her first book for adults.

Sophie Herxheimer is a poet and artist. Her collection Velkom to Inklandt (Short Books, 2017) was an Observer Poetry Book of the Month and a Sunday Times Book of the Year. Her book 60 Lovers to Make and Do (Henningham Family Press, 2019), was a TLS Book of the Year. She has held many residencies, and teaches at The Royal Drawing School and The Poetry School. She has illustrated six collections of fairy tale and mythology, the majority in collaboration with Sally Pomme Clayton.