No Friend to This House

It’s superb: sharp, funny, inventive, powerfully humane – Katherine Rundell, bestselling author of Impossible CreaturesAn illuminating and often thrilling work of feminist reclamation * The Guardian *Natalie Haynes … offers an extraordinary feminist reimagining of the myth of Medea, cementing her place in a female pantheon of classical interpreters with Pat Barker, Madeleine Miller and Margaret Atwood * The Oldie *One of my all-time favourite writers – Nikita Gill, bestselling author of HekateHaynes’ Medea is especially striking – both fearless witch and desperate lover – capturing all the facets and contradictions of the character in the ancient sources … Another masterpiece from Haynes. – Costanza Casati, author of Babylonia[A] wry, witty and ruthless retelling of Euripides’ play * Daily Mail *Natalie Haynes is a once-in-a-generation storyteller, and No Friend to This House is her masterpiece. Haynes does not so much retell the myth of Medea as excavate it, layer by devastating layer, for truths both timeless and timely. This is a stunning novel that cuts to the bone. – Dr. Amanda Foreman, author of GeorgianaAn incredible feat of storytelling, bringing to life all the strands of the divine and human which led to one of the most fascinating myths of all time - Medea – Martha KearneyA stunning, slowburning tale full of passion and vengeance * Woman & Home *The myth of Medea captivatingly retold (complete with the most beautifully foil-tipped pages) will completely reset your commute * Stylist *If there is one thing Natalie Haynes knows how to do, it is reposition the classics. And her latest offering, No Friend to This House, raises the bar even more … In the world of Greek tragedy, Medea is often considered one of the most complex and divisive characters. But Haynes’ No Friend To This House gives readers more to consider about her * Press Association *Witty, gripping, ruthless – Margaret Atwood, bestselling author of The Testaments, on Stone BlindAn exceptionally powerful retelling of Medusa’s story, an emotional gut punch of a novel … It is a dazzling achievement – Elodie Harper, bestselling author of The Wolf Den Trilogy, on Stone BlindInventive and playful … [and] very funny – The Times on Stone BlindWith her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism, Natalie Haynes gives much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War – Madeline Miller, bestselling author of Circe, on A Thousand ShipsAbsorbing and fiercely feminist … A many-layered delight – The Guardian on A Thousand ShipsA sparkling narrative … A Thousand Ships blows the dust off the classics – The Washington Post on A Thousand ShipsHaynes balances a fresh take on the material … giving new voice to the often-overlooked but fascinating Jocasta and Ismene – Madeline Miller, bestselling author of Circe, on The Children of JocastaA wonderful and inventive take on an ancient tale – The Times on The Children of JocastaGlorious, gripping and brutal … I loved it – Victoria Derbyshire, journalist and broadcaster, on The Children of Jocasta

Natalie Haynes is a writer and broadcaster. She is the author of The Amber Fury, The Children of Jocasta, A Thousand Ships, which was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020, and Stone Blind, which was longlisted for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her non-fiction includes Pandora’s Jar, a bestseller in both the UK and the US, and Divine Might. She has written and performed eleven series of her BBC Radio 4 show, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics. In 2015 she was awarded the Classical Association Prize for her work in bringing Classics to a wider audience.