Warriors, Witches, Women

April 15, 2020
This compendium considers 50 mythological female characters drawn from an international array of cultures. Subjects are grouped according to a designated role (witch, warrior, bringer of misfortune, elemental spirit, or munificent spirit) and are addressed individually in four-page essays that cover their origin stories, physical manifestations, powers and roles, cultural variations, and documented appearances in literature, music, and pop culture. The entries are thoroughly accessible and include relevant quotations from modern sources and occasional references to current feminist issues. Remarkably similar illustrations of benign, ethereal beings offer soft pastel portraits, some seemingly at odds with the bloodthirsty incarnations described. Back matter includes a selective glossary, suggestions for further reading (but no chapter notes or citations other than for featured quotations), and a Mythological Women Playlist that identifies the artists associated with the 25 contemporary songs cited in various entries. The similar treatments invite comparisons, and readers will appreciate the concise entries. With subjects ranging from Kali and Baba Yaga to La Llorona and Maman Brigitte, this is an appealing overview of mythical women who have become mainstream icons.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)