Angharad Wynne

An unforgettable collection of retold myths and folk tales, celebrating the wisdom and power of women in midlife and beyond, from the award-winning author of Hagitude'An extra­ordinary selection of stories ... beautifully and vividly retold' TLS'Genius' Irish Times'Treasure it!' Shahrukh Husain'Wonderful' Victoria Smith'The book I've been longing for' Jill Dawson'Thrilling' Stella Duffy This dazzling array of not-to-be-messed-with characters from a lost tradition of European myth and folklore - from ungainly giantesses and sequin-strewn fairy godmothers to misunderstood witches and craggy crones - provides inspiration for how women can walk boldly and live authentically in the second half of life.'Features an exuberant cast ... The collection is precious, because it's the first time that these rare, patriarchy-surviving remnants of powerful elder female folk stories have been deliberately anthologised' Irish Times 'A fascinating collection of female myths and legends' Sara Sheridan'I adored Wise Women' Eleanor Mills, author of Much More to Come: Lessons on the mayhem and magnificence of midlife'Wondrously wise, clever and insightful as well as slyly funny' AG Slatter, author of The Briar Book of the Dead

An unforgettable collection of retold myths and folk tales, celebrating the wisdom and power of women in midlife and beyond, from the award-winning author of Hagitude'An extra­ordinary selection of stories ... beautifully and vividly retold' TLS'Genius' Irish Times'Treasure it!' Shahrukh Husain'Wonderful' Victoria Smith'The book I've been longing for' Jill Dawson'Thrilling' Stella Duffy This dazzling array of not-to-be-messed-with characters from a lost tradition of European myth and folklore - from ungainly giantesses and sequin-strewn fairy godmothers to misunderstood witches and craggy crones - provides inspiration for how women can walk boldly and live authentically in the second half of life.'Features an exuberant cast ... The collection is precious, because it's the first time that these rare, patriarchy-surviving remnants of powerful elder female folk stories have been deliberately anthologised' Irish Times 'A fascinating collection of female myths and legends' Sara Sheridan'I adored Wise Women' Eleanor Mills, author of Much More to Come: Lessons on the mayhem and magnificence of midlife'Wondrously wise, clever and insightful as well as slyly funny' AG Slatter, author of The Briar Book of the Dead

Unparalleled inspiration from fierce grandmothers, misunderstood witches, glamorous fairy godmothers, and hairy-chinned hags From early childhood, we learn about the world and its possibilities through myths and fairy tales. The heroines, though, tend to be young princesses or fair maidens, and the evildoers older women: wicked witches or unforgiving matriarchs. Yet a wealth of lesser-known European stories feature mature wise women with personality and power. Compiling many years of research, Sharon Blackie has reclaimed these tales, presenting them in evocative prose that will resonate with women of all ages. This dazzling array of not-to-be-messed-with older characters provides compelling role models for today's readers, who seek to redefine their relationship with aging. These women outwit monsters, test and mentor younger heroines, embody the cycles of the Earth, weave the world into being -- and almost always have the last laugh. Each story is accompanied by background commentary that highlights important themes and reveals its insights into how we might live meaningfully and authentically in the second half of life.