WEARING THE LION

In this clear, conversational, and often humorous retelling of Greek myths, Elizabeth Klett delivers Hera's chapters and Christian Black delivers those of Heracles. Together, they accentuate the intrigue, backstabbing, and good old-fashioned sex and violence in the stories. Hera, wife of Zeus, was one of the most powerful and ill-tempered gods on Mount Olympus. With her penchant for jealousy and vengeance, she drove her least favorite "nephew," Heracles, nearly insane as he dealt with the demands of his Twelve Labors. Klett gives the sailor-mouthed Hera the weary tone of a woman who's had enough of her lazy, two-timing husband. Black concentrates on Heracles's good-hearted nature as he tries to please an unbending goddess while fighting multiheaded hydras and wrestling the monstrous Nemean lion. A fine introduction to classic mythology. B.P. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]