Review: Monstrous Bitch by Eleanor Johnson

Title: Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women
Author: Eleanor Johnson
Publication: October 6, 2026 by Princeton University Press
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Mythology, Gender Studies
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Rating: 5/5★

How an ancient myth about a sexually voracious, baby-slaying, loudmouthed demoness became the defining misogynistic archetype of Western civilization

For as long as human societies have been telling stories, the patriarchy has felt threatened by women. In this book, Eleanor Johnson provides an engaging cultural history of a figure she calls the “monstrous bitch,” the notorious female who has haunted the patriarchal imagination for centuries, feared for her sexual promiscuity, her exercise of reproductive agency and control, and her outspoken way of contesting patriarchal power.

In a narrative brimming with insight, Johnson traces the origins of female monstrosity to the demoness Lamashtu of ancient Mesopotamia, showing how this infanticidal, hypersexual, loudmouthed monster appears in different guises throughout history. In classical Greece, she reemerges as the sorceress Medea, the child-devouring monster Lamia, and the vengeful Furies. In the medieval and early modern periods, she is an oversexed, baby-slaying, spellcasting witch; in the Romantic and Victorian eras, a vampiress; and in the modern age of psychoanalysis, a mental patient. After this longue durée history, Johnson shows how monstrous bitchery has been challenged and reinterpreted in contemporary cinematic popular culture, becoming an expression of heroism and resistance in films like The Exorcist, The Hunger, and Species. She demonstrates how deeply embedded the roots of misogyny have become, and why it is more critical today than ever that we expose and address them.

An irreverent look at a pervasive trope that runs through four thousand years of Western culture, Monstrous Bitch reveals that while representations of the powerful woman have evolved over time, the fear and demonization of her remains the same.

Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women by Eleanor Johnson explores how the image of the dangerous, monstrous woman has evolved throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamian demons and Greek mythological figures to witches, vampires and women in modern horror films. Despite the different forms this figure has taken throughout history, the underlying fear of women who challenge patriarchal expectations has remained remarkably consistent. Needless to say, I found this book absolutely fascinating and incredibly thought-provoking, especially considering how relevant many of its themes still are today.

When I started reading this book, I already had a feeling I was going to enjoy it because the subject matter is right up my alley. And I'm very happy to say that I was right! In fact, I ended up loving it even more than I initially expected. It's always incredible to be able to say this about a highly anticipated book.

The first part of the book explores the ancient Mediterranean world and its demons and goddesses, from ancient Mesopotamia to Greece and Rome. Obviously, I absolutely loved this section. It was hardly a surprise, considering how much I enjoy ancient history and mythology. I ate it right up! Figures in this portion of the book like Lamashtu and Lilitu were particularly interesting to read about, especially in the context of how female sexuality, reproductive power and independence were associated with danger and monstrosity.

Another section focused on the silver screen and the portrayal of monstrous women in modern films. I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this part as much as I did since the focus lay on films and the modern world of today but I ended up being just as fascinated by it all. This really says a lot about the author's ability to make even the subjects I was less familiar with so engaging.

The final section, titled Back to Babylon, takes us back to ancient Mesopotamia and introduces us to Enheduanna, the world's earliest known author. Enheduanna has always been a favorite and special historical figure to me so I obviously loved this. I also found this a particularly interesting way to bring the book full circle, returning to the ancient world where the story of the monstrous women began. Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women by Eleanor Johnson truly was a fascinating blend of history, mythology and feminist perspectives. I really can't recommend it enough!

About the author:

Professor Johnson specializes in late medieval literature, medieval theology, the history of environmental thought, horror, film, and feminism. She has published three books on the Middle Ages: Practicing Literary Theory in the Late Middle Ages: Ethics and the Mixed Form in Chaucer, Gower, Usk, and Hoccleve (Chicago 2013); Dramatizing Contemplation: Participatory Theology in Middle English Prose, Verse, and Drama (Chicago 2018); and Waste and the Wasters: Poetry and Ecosystemic Thought in Medieval England (Chicago 2023). Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (Atria 2025) analyzes the relationship between horror films and feminism in the 1970s and 2020s. Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women (Princeton 2026) analyzes the 4000 year history of the demonization of women by western patriarchy. Her forthcoming book Mother of Frankenstein (Atria 2027) looks at the shaping influence of Mary Shelley's novel on 21st-century cinematic feminism.

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