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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The myth of Medusa is beautifully retold in this book by Natalie Haynes, turning the focus from the 'hero' Perseus to the woman with the deadly gaze. Abandoned by her divine parents and victimised over and over again through no fault of her own, this book poses the question of just who really is the monster in this tale?
The book is written from the point of view of several different characters (much like 'A Thousand Ships'), utilising both third and first person perspectives. And yet the book still flows really well and keeps you immersed. I particularly liked the chapters that 'break the fourth wall' and address the reader directly - you can definitely sense the author's own attitude and comedic prowess coming through in those pages.
Equally though, because of the constant shifting in perspectives it doesn't always feel like you're getting the depth you want; it is very much skimming the surface. The chapters are also quite short, so it is a lot of bouncing around - the story is linear, but it's hard to tell how much time is passing between chapters, sometimes due to the author's own phrasing. For example, we know that Perseus has two months to retrieve the head of a Gorgon and return home to save his mother from an unwanted marriage. But at one point, the author includes the line (paraphrasing) 'she could have been married and had three kids by now!' And yet he manages to return home with a day to spare? I know that time is immaterial to Gods and this is illustrated throughout, but there's just something about the way it's written that muddies the waters a bit for me.
I've been listening to Natalie Haynes a lot recently - both her audio version of 'A Thousand Ships' and her Radio 4 show 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics' on Spotify, so I feel like I'm getting a good grasp of the way she expresses herself. As a result, it was very easy to 'hear' her reading the words in my head and this gave the book an extra lift.
While I knew the story of Medusa, I didn't know the wider story of Perseus and how he came to pursue her nearly as well, so this was something of a reintroduction to me. Overall, while this book is about Medusa, the author very cleverly balances the other strands of the tale, both human and divine. If you aren't familiar with the story, there are a couple of moments earlier on which do throw the reader and make you wonder how a mortal queen with vanity issues links into the story, but everything weaves together seamlessly and all is revealed as you progress. However, this does also raise a criticism - there's just not quite enough Medusa for me!
This books also highlights some of the 'problems' with Greek myths generally. How many times must a mortal woman be punished for being the victim of a God forcing himself upon her? I love the stories of Ancient Greece, always have, but I don't think it's ever come across to me so starkly that the men (human and Gods) aren't always quite as heroic or divine as they might seem, and how vindictive the Goddesses can be, even when it should be obvious to all that they're taking their anger out on the wrong person. This is one of the reasons I love these feminist retellings though; some of the women involved absolutely deserve to be seen in a different light!
Clever, different and a good read.
The book is written from the point of view of several different characters (much like 'A Thousand Ships'), utilising both third and first person perspectives. And yet the book still flows really well and keeps you immersed. I particularly liked the chapters that 'break the fourth wall' and address the reader directly - you can definitely sense the author's own attitude and comedic prowess coming through in those pages.
Equally though, because of the constant shifting in perspectives it doesn't always feel like you're getting the depth you want; it is very much skimming the surface. The chapters are also quite short, so it is a lot of bouncing around - the story is linear, but it's hard to tell how much time is passing between chapters, sometimes due to the author's own phrasing. For example, we know that Perseus has two months to retrieve the head of a Gorgon and return home to save his mother from an unwanted marriage. But at one point, the author includes the line (paraphrasing) 'she could have been married and had three kids by now!' And yet he manages to return home with a day to spare? I know that time is immaterial to Gods and this is illustrated throughout, but there's just something about the way it's written that muddies the waters a bit for me.
I've been listening to Natalie Haynes a lot recently - both her audio version of 'A Thousand Ships' and her Radio 4 show 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics' on Spotify, so I feel like I'm getting a good grasp of the way she expresses herself. As a result, it was very easy to 'hear' her reading the words in my head and this gave the book an extra lift.
While I knew the story of Medusa, I didn't know the wider story of Perseus and how he came to pursue her nearly as well, so this was something of a reintroduction to me. Overall, while this book is about Medusa, the author very cleverly balances the other strands of the tale, both human and divine. If you aren't familiar with the story, there are a couple of moments earlier on which do throw the reader and make you wonder how a mortal queen with vanity issues links into the story, but everything weaves together seamlessly and all is revealed as you progress. However, this does also raise a criticism - there's just not quite enough Medusa for me!
This books also highlights some of the 'problems' with Greek myths generally. How many times must a mortal woman be punished for being the victim of a God forcing himself upon her? I love the stories of Ancient Greece, always have, but I don't think it's ever come across to me so starkly that the men (human and Gods) aren't always quite as heroic or divine as they might seem, and how vindictive the Goddesses can be, even when it should be obvious to all that they're taking their anger out on the wrong person. This is one of the reasons I love these feminist retellings though; some of the women involved absolutely deserve to be seen in a different light!
Clever, different and a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Stalking, Sexual assault, Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, and Gore
javafenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great take on the story of Medusa and her sisters and how the various tales of the various Greek myths intertwined with her own, tragic story. I loved the authors interpretation and delicate care of Medusa’s story and she narrates the book herself! Though several parts are beyond tragic, she adds lightheartedness and levity to the situations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Confinement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Incest, Infertility, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Blood
garnethalo's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'll never look at Perseus the same. With the switching veiwpoints, I understood Medusa, the gods, and Perseus better. And I definitely have favorites. A wonderful, captivating read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Violence
Medusa's story from before she was cursed. If you know Greek mythology, you know why. Also, Greek stories are usually a tragedy!nak34's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Sexual harassment, Torture, Death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: War, Grief, Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Haynes does a marvellous job narrating her book.
This is beautifully poignant in writing and audio . It makes so much more sense than the tales of Perseus and Medusa and Athene I grew up with.
There are many moments of beautiful writing. Chapter from the snakes’ perspective. The dialogue of assertive Medusa and petulant Poseidon. But especially when it’s 1POV addressed to the reader.
I like the choice for most of the violence and sexual assault to be excluded from the scenes written. Even the narrative on turning people to stone is empathetic to the character’s trauma and the readers.
I can’t find fault with the writing, I want to revisit it, and recommend it to others. So it meets my pesky criteria for five stars.
This is beautifully poignant in writing and audio . It makes so much more sense than the tales of Perseus and Medusa and Athene I grew up with.
There are many moments of beautiful writing. Chapter from the snakes’ perspective. The dialogue of assertive Medusa and petulant Poseidon. But especially when it’s 1POV addressed to the reader.
I like the choice for most of the violence and sexual assault to be excluded from the scenes written. Even the narrative on turning people to stone is empathetic to the character’s trauma and the readers.
I can’t find fault with the writing, I want to revisit it, and recommend it to others. So it meets my pesky criteria for five stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
bee12345's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual assault, Rape, Body horror, and Sexual violence
kfrawrylion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Misogyny, and Sexism
citybookspgh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Feminist retelling of classic Medusa myth. So good. Audiobook is read by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Body horror, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Dysphoria, Incest, Rape, and Violence
Heartbreakingredplanetreads's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Overall, this book was decent. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it, either. The writing style was fine, good even, but at times it felt more like the author was asserting her own opinions than rewriting a narrative. I appreciated the reframing of the story, and I would read another book by Natalie Haynes (in fact I plan on it), but this one wasn’t a favorite of mine. I prefer less bias and more storytelling in the books I choose to read, especially when the story isn’t the author’s in the first place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Injury/Injury detail
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
I love a good feminist retelling and I've read another Medusa reimagining before. This one was not good compared to the other I had read previously. I liked some aspects like how most of the povs were female characters, but it was so slow and that many povs didn't add anything to the story. It didn't feel like the focus was supposed to be on Medusa. The ending was okay, liked how Athene "went home", but otherwise the ending was quite a letdown. I was hoping for so much in this and didn't get much of anything. Honestly with how slow it was, I should've dnf'd but I pushed through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, War, Confinement, Death, and Murder