Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy

by Tamara Agha-Jaffar

A collection of three historic novels by Tamara Agha-Jaffar, Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy presents fresh, invigorating perspectives on timeless tales of myth and adventure. Collected here for the first time, these novels bring new voices to the women who made the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the Odyssey, and the Epic of Gilgamesh so memorable. Experience the ancient world through their eyes and see why their complex stories and relationships resonate through the ages. Though their worlds are full of gods, monsters, and otherworldly challenges, their voices ring true. Their stories mirror our own struggles and are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

507 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2020

About the author

I have been in academia all my professional life, as a professor of English, an academic dean, and a Vice President for Academic Affairs. I retired in July 2013. I finally have time to do what I love best: read and write.

My interest in reading runs the gamut from books on ancient cultures, beginning with the mythology and culture of ancient Mesopotamia; world religions; poetry, especially the poetry of the British Romantics; novels; the classics; and all things feminist.

My awards include the 2004 Kansas Professor of the Year Award from the Carnegie Foundation and the 2010 President’s Call to Service Award for my volunteer work with the local school district, with victims of sexual assault, and with community shelters for battered women.

I have written five books, two of them non-fiction:
Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth (McFarland 2002), and Women and Goddesses in Myth and Sacred Texts (Longman 2004).

I have written three novels:
A Pomegranate and the Maiden (Anaphora Literary Press 2015) is my first novel. It is a retelling of the Demeter/Persephone myth through the voices of its characters. It is available on Amazon Kindle, Audible, and paperback.

Unsung Odysseys tells the story of Odysseus' return from Troy through the voices of women. It is available on Amazon Kindle, Audible, and paperback.

Gilgamesh of Uruk is the story of the epic hero Gilgamesh from Ancient Mesopotamia. It is available on Amazon Kindle, Audible, and paperback.

The three novels are available in a single collection, Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy.

My passion is mythology, especially women's role in myths. I write a blog interpreting events and characters in mythology by breathing life into them to unearth their nuggets of wisdom. I have also posted over 550 book reviews on my website.

Check out my website at www.tamaraaghajaffar.com

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trilogy of stories based on timeless tales from Mythology, but retold with a new perspective. Each story is told from the females point of view, giving a voice to the women who made the stories, such as, “Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the Odyssey, and the Epic of Gilgamesh”, so memorable. By retelling these tales of myth and adventure, both the ancient world and the world of gods, monsters, and the otherworldly, are made relevant to todays readers. I was hooked from start to finish and I felt completely immersed in the stories, due to the wonderful descriptive narrative, the fascinating historical details, and the relatable characters. An enjoyable and engaging read.

[Amy Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a long road trip this weekend and hooking my kindle up to my car stereo system, I knew I was in for the trip of my life, and I wasn't wrong. Not only did these stories have me wanting to renew my knowledge of the originals, but it had me realizing that I really do have an interest in timeless tales all over the map, and not just my favorite nursery or wives tales. This author really captured the voices of the women, and those that we weren't overly accustomed to hearing about or from, and allowed the reader, at the very least me, to become immersed in the stories and really get my mind moving in all different directions.

New perspectives are quite important when it comes to all stories, and it brings what used to be common knowledge and interest to the surface again. I do believe that this author has a talent that not many have, what with the ability to bring these mythic tales back and has spent a long time honing what was to come off the pages, and I very much look forward to reading the stories and being able to disappear into the pages rather than hear them read to me. I especially like the way the different characters thoughts are portrayed, making it far easier to relate/connect with everyone's feelings, and thoughts, whether they were right or wrong. I will most definitely be looking up more by this author soon, certainly worth a read, well done!

[Lorrene Huisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book immersed me right from the first few lines on the first page! I loved the way the author created and wrote this story! I found my eyes were opened to visuals as well as different takes on the story through the eyes of the characters! Was very much a must read and I truly enjoyed this book!

The book consisted of 3 tales. I found each one captivating and different in its own special way. The characters faced odds and difficulties as they found as I would like to say, their purpose I was captivated to by how the characters handled things and how each one reached its outcome and its flow of the story. Gods and monsters are often feared, but are we as the humans who should be feared instead? The book made me think and see things differently. The book was amazing and I really enjoyed this collection!

Amazing book and if you love reading mythological readings as I do, then this one is surely to be enjoyed by you! A must read and a high recommendation from me! Wonderful writing by a gifted author!

[Christen Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely retelling of three well known installments, but from the feminine point of view. These retellings are a fresh new perspectives on stories that have been twisted and turned many times throughout their lifetime. It is lovely to see the different thoughts from a new perspective that had been caged and stifled for far too long. Majority of retailings require a basic knowledge of what the true story is beforehand, but with the reads like these, you don’t need to have a decent foundation built to understand it. The character list was greatly helpful in identified characters and added to the help of refreshing the readers mind beforehand.

It would be amazing to see work such as these included in the literature regimen that have their source material mandated to allow readers and students to have numerous perspectives that aren’t just from the masculine point of view.

Overall, a good read and a refresher from most retellings. It was easy to love the characters in these new lights, and offers even more insight to already well known and loved stories. Would read again.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first story in this trilogy, which is based on the Hymn of Demeter, A Pomegranate and the Maiden, the lives and actions of Demeter and her daughter are explored through their eyes, through their experiences and their love.

In the second story, which is based on the Odyssey, Unsung Odysseys, told through the eyes of the women who loved him, this new perspective of his travels shows what happened between the trials he faced throughout his life.

In the third and final story based on the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh of Uruk explores pride, greed, grief and loss, as stories are recounted and lessons are shared to teach lessons everyone should know.

In this retelling of three stories from Ancient Times, stories of love, grief, challenges and the overcoming of barriers, this book shows new, feminist perspectives and how relevant the stories remain today, while showing what we can learn from the past. Will you dive into these Ancient Reflections and see what you will learn from them?

[Rose Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy is a retelling of two Greek myths, the abduction of Persephone and the Odyssey, with the third story retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh. I am very familiar with the Greek myths but less so with Gilgamesh, so it was interesting to contrast the experience of reading them. The Greek retellings are pretty faithful to the source texts in terms of events, however the language is modern and narrator viewpoints privilege the female perspective.
I really enjoyed this take on them, as I felt it allowed me to emotionally connect more with the experience of women in ancient times, whereas when they are written more archaically it can feel 'othered'.

Gilgamesh I only knew the basic layout for the myth, for me this was a great intro, that brought to life the struggle with mortality central to the epic and left me keen to read the original. I enjoyed this the most, however I think overall these are clear and witty tales that work well for newcomers or those with previous reading of the sources.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Ancient Reflections is a collection of three timeless tales, cleverly retold by tamara Agha-Jaffar. She has given a fresh perspective to these classic stories, but in doing so she managed to stayed true to their origins and intrinsic qualities.
We explore:
“A Pomegranate and the Maiden’- which is the retelling of the “Hymn to Demeter’, the story of Persephone and Demeter.
“Unsung Odysseys”- is the retelling of the “Odyssey’ whish tells the tale of Odysseus’ adventures on his journey home from Troy.
“Gilgamesh of Uruk”- is the retelling of the “Epic of Gilgamesh” an epic tale of the legendary Mesopotamian.
This collection is full of myth, fantasy, historical details, relationships, adventure, gods, monsters, courage, and survival. The stories are fresh, rich, and intriguing. Definitely worth reading- especially if you enjoyed the originals.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Tamara Agha-Jaffar!

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy by Tamara Agha-Jaffar. This trilogy was amazing. Its the stories of ancient myths but told in a woman's view. Its such a beautifully written story that it will capture you and not let you go until its over. I was up flipping pages late in the night. Its a modern take on old tales. The first story is A Pomegranate and the Maiden the story of Persephone and Demeter. The second is Unsung Odysseys the retelling of the “Odyssey’ whish tells the tale of Odysseus’ adventures on his journey home from Troy. And last but not least is the third story “Gilgamesh of Uruk”- is the retelling of the “Epic of Gilgamesh” an epic tale of the legendary Mesopotamian. They are all so wonderfully told that you can see exactly where these characters are and how beautiful the places are. If you enjoyed the originals of these stories then do yourself a favor and read this modern uptake of them. You won't be disappointed!

[Susan Ratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy
Written By: Tamara Agha-Jaffar
Review By: Susan Ratchford
5 Stars

A wonderfully written trilogy where the voices of Ancient Greeks' most powerful women take center stage. A fresh new perspective on the mythical tales that have entertained us for centuries!
Amazing! I highly recommend this trilogy! As a lover of Greek Mythology I thought the change of perspective from male oriented to female oriented was genius and eye opening! The stories became different, even more engaging and emotionally convincing. It really made me realize how the voices of even the strongest and most known women have been diminished or even silenced over time. Tamara Agha-Jaffar also creates a really nice flow that is fast paced and makes the pages fly by without ever getting dull or drawn out. These beautiful stories have characters that are so easy to connect with who face struggles that are still so relevant today!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy mythical Trilogy of retellings with twists. A book of three engaging historical stories. Each tale is different and Tamara’s spin is interesting and intriguing.

A Pomegranate and the Maiden – is the story of Demeter and Persephone.

Unsung Odysseys - is the story of Odysseus’ return from Troy.

Gilgamesh of Uruk - is the story of Gilgamesh a Mesopotamian hero.

Tamara’s passion for mythology shines through her words and takes you to other worlds, times and places. Each story is unique because of the narrative being from a woman's POV and Tamara’s fresh interpretation of their trials and tribulations, odds stacked against them and struggles that they faced.

It is a journey of monsters, gods and goddesses, immortality and abduction, survival and courage and sheer will.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy by Tamara Agha-Jaffar

Ancient Reflections is a wonderfully written Trilogy of Historical Mythology that I truly enjoyed reading. I was a bit hesitant at first but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I was pulled in and everything around me was tuned out. Mythology intrigues me and this author knocked it out of the park. Although this is a fairly new author to me I'm definitely going to check out what other books she has. This is a collection of three great books that will take you on a adventure and show you worlds of gods, some monsters and everyday life struggles. Each story is just as good as the last. The characters are relatable and fully developed. Get ready to be taken on quite the adventure of Classic Myths with a modern twist. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Trilogy of stories. The author does an amazing job of taking mythical stories and retelling them in a way that makes them more relatable. Each story is unique it's it own way but it what I really loved is that the stories are seen and told from a female perspective. This really brings the stories to life as you get to feel every emotion felt. I understood the feelings of Demeter as a mother myself. I felt her need to protect her daughter and her grief at her loss. But at the same time i understood Persephone's need to grow and make her own way.

These books are mythical story's full of angst, gods, emotions, adventure and a insight into the relationships from a deeper point of view.
Amazingly written I was captivated with them all and I know have a new love for Greek Mythology.

[Jennifer P Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written retellings of some well-known Greek mythologys written through a female perspective. To read a book where females from the past can voice their thoughts, actions, and feelings evoke the other spectrum of a quieted spirit. It is such a great outlook in which the author established here. These ancient tellings tell of lives and circumstances that once was but many of its lessons and values still hold true to many in today’s modern world.

There is the Hymn of Demeter where Demeter and her daughter as their experiences and romance are depicted in this telling. Also included is the story of Odyssey as the voice of those women who loved him dearly elaborate on his many challenges in his life. Lastly, there is the Epic of Gilgamesh where moments of grieving, greed, and pridefulness allows readers to be able to reflect and learn from this story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy
by Tamara Agha-Jaffar
5*
This book looks at Greek mythology from the viewpoint of the females that experienced it first hand. As a teacher, I am very familiar with these myths and I truly think that hearing these stories from a female's point of view was lovely. I enjoyed how the author kept the feelings that women have now in mind as she wrote. It definitely makes characters that can at times seem very unrelatable as we study Greek mythology much more relatable. I truly enjoyed reading these stories and will be remembering these viewpoints as I teach Greek mythology next time. If you aren’t a teacher but also enjoy mythology you will enjoy these stories as the characters are so relatable.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly fascinating. I am not one who has been overly excited about Greek mythology but these stories were so entertaining and enjoyable. I found The Pomegranate and the Maiden truly enjoyable, especially as a mother. I understood Persephone’s desire to get away from her mother, but I truly empathize with Demeter, as a mother that wants to protect her daughter from the ways of the world, and is unable to do it. The connections made to our life on earth were interesting and played well - including the changing of the seasons and how women are in a subservient position to men - but still fighting back in whatever ways are needed. Truly enjoyable read - highly recommended!

[Book.Athlete · Rating 4 out of 5]

These historical stories are given new life through the creative retelling of Tamara Agha-Jaffar. Whether you are new to the Classic stories or a long-standing fan, these fresh perspectives will take each reader on a delightful adventure. Unique to many Classical stories and Literature, is the perspective Tamara Agha-Jaffar takes with this trilogy. Bravely recomposing such well-known tales as the "Epic of Gilgamesh" from a female perspective is apt to leave the author open to both applause and criticism. Here, this review ends with only praise for such a daring work and hopes for more to follow from Agha-Jaffar.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of historical stories. This is my first book by this author in which I look forward to reading more from them. This is a well written collection of three stories that will show you worlds of gods, monsters and just life struggles. They will take you on an adventure. They are engaging stories that have great characters. They are engaging and keep you coming back for more. Each story is unique in its own way and easy to read. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

[Jade Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author really captured me in her introduction and I couldn’t stop from devouring the book. The way these women, and their stories, were written was eloquent and fantastic. I loved the different strengths each woman had- it was really cool learning about them when the original tales made them secondary characters. Growing up I enjoyed learning mythology- especially Greek- and reading these classics from a woman’s point of view was invigorating! Now I want ALL my favorites written from that same point of view- and by this author!

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a woman's point of view is offered. I really enjoyed this book immensely. So many times, myths like this often neglect the female point of view. It was so refreshing to see that changed here. A modern twist on classic tales kept me glued to the pages, eager to read more. Each story tells of the difficulties that each face throughout their journey in such a way that you find yourself immersed in that world. The details are so exquisite and the author really paints a picture so that it feels as if you actually there. I highly recommend this book.

[La Toya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this retelling of Greek Mythology. This book is beautifully written and gives a feminine perspective of the events of these three stories. It really helps you to understand the possibility of why some of the events took place and what these women would have been thinking. The stories are touching and it is very easy to relate to the ladies in the stories. It was heart-breaking to put yourself in some of their shoes. I highly recommend this book to everyone that may want to consider what it would have been like for the ladies of mythology.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy is a collection of three retellings of classic mythological stories.
A Pomegranate and the Maiden tells the story of Demeter and Persephone, Unsung Odysseys retells the story of Odysseus' return from Troy, and Gilgamesh of Uruk tells the story of Gilgamesh. It is always hit and miss when authors retell the stories of old. However, the author does an excellent job of keeping the story's integrity and changing the POV of the female characters. I enjoyed the stories and am now curious to read more from this author. I look forward to reading more soon.

[Victoria L. Trifu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ancient Reflections is a wonderous take on classic Greek mythology. While most ancient Greek stories focus on the male gods and demigods and women take a back seat, Ancient Reflections is about the females who make up Olympus and the Underworld. In this trilogy we are taken through the everyday lives of some of the mighty Greek gods and goddesses. Familiar heavy hitters such as Zeus, Hades, Aphrodite, and Athena appear, and we get to know some of the others like we’ve never heard before. If you are a fan of Greek mythology, definitely check this book out!

[Nelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of 3 historical stories with a fresh twist and perspective. I loved the unique spins on classics. I had heard versions of 2 of the 3 of them, but it was still interesting to read a new version. I was drawn to read this book because I love mythology and I love when stories are retold by different character POV. I found these stories easy to read and full of adventure, independence, courage, and determination. If you enjoy a good monsters vs gods story, this book will be worth reading.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this freah take on mythological stories. The collection was interesting and varied and really did keep my attention. You could tell the author has a passion for this subject and her knowledge and enthusiasm came through in the writing. The detail was there but also the excitement. These are the first books that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed the way they were written. I will definitely be reading more.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. To tell the myths that we have all heard before but from the women’s viewpoint. I am always one to think on the motivations of the characters as I read so this was right up my alley. You get the story of Demeter and Persephone, the story of Odyssseus’ return from Troy, and the story of Gilgamesh a Mesopotamian hero. If you enjoy mythology this is definitely a book you should check out. You will not be disappointed.

[Lyndsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greek mythology is not typically a genre I enjoy reading, however I loved the way the author put a new take on these three stories. It was not exactly a quick read however it did keep me drawn in and engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the amount of detail put into the beginning of each section so you could truly understand who is character was if you were not familiar with the original Greek mythology. Not necessarily a book I would put on my reread list but very enjoyable.

[SaviLeeLind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Greek Mythology and everything within it holds a special place in my heart. This trilogy was one of my favorite reads of this year. Each story was told each within a female voice and POV. A modern tale touched upon with a classic feel. As you read through and the stories come to life it transports you to back to the tales itself, and gives you that hidden glimpse. This was a wonderful read and If you love Greek Mythology then this is for you.

[Kayla Octaviano · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I thought it was going to be similar to reading a history book, or a literature book. Personally, I’m not a big fan of either. But I really enjoyed reading this book! It explains everything so you can follow along, it has relatable themes and really cool stories to follow. The characters are gods, and until this book, I didn’t know gods could be relatable. Read this book if you enjoy a good story line and great in depth description.

[Erica Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy is intriguing. A Pomegranate and the Maiden is the story of Demeter and Persephone; Unsung Odysseys is the story of Odysseus' return from Troy, and Gigamesh of Uruk is the story of Gilgamesh and Mesopotamian hero.

I was able to read these stories and see the similarities to the original mythology. The storytelling of Tamara Agha-Jaffar is amazing. I loved her attention to detail. The stories are seen through a woman’s view. I highly recommend these stories.