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A review by erinkellyreads
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The Witch of Colchis" by Rosie Hewlett, formerly titled simply "Medea", tells the story of the famed sorceress, Medea, of Greek Mythology. She who betrayed her family to aid Jason and the Argonauts in gaining the Golden Fleece. She who married Jason and gave him two sons in exile. She who was betrayed by Jason and abandoned for him to marry the young and pretty princess of Corinth. She who got her revenge by destroying what Jason loved most, cementing her place in myth as murderess, witch, and one disdained by both gods and men.
I finished this book about two weeks ago, and I just haven't been able to write a review yet because I'm so haunted by the writing of this sad, sad story. For context, I've been a big fan of the mythological character of Medea for a long time - I've directed two plays based on feminist retellings of her story, and I taught Euripides version to my students. As a director, my goal has always been to get the audience to empathize with Medea; I want them to feel her rage and root for her, while simultaneously fearing the end we all know is coming. This book completely succeeds in the goals I've always had for Medea's story.
Hewlett's writing evokes such sadness, bitterness, and those rare fleeting moments of hope that we hang onto. By starting at Medea's childhood, we get to see a rarely explored side of Medea's life - her family, the beginnings of her power, and what would push her to eventually betray them for Jason. There were so many sections where we see that Medea is clinging onto the idea that Jason loves her and her power instead of being disgusted by it - I was sad for her to accept the drippings of love she thought she deserved, and yet, I know that I and many women I know have done and felt that way. The middle section about Jason's family was new to me, and it was horrifying and sad to witness. I felt like this story dealt the best with Medea's children - there was a level of peace there that I haven't felt elsewhere. I think this is due to Hewlett's deft hand with Medea's growth and thought processes.
Overall, if you are a fan of Greek myth retellings, women getting revenge, and tragedies, you'll love this book. I was hooked from the dedication:
"For all the women who have ever been called 'too much' or 'not enough'."
"The Witch of Colchis" by Rosie Hewlett, formerly titled simply "Medea", tells the story of the famed sorceress, Medea, of Greek Mythology. She who betrayed her family to aid Jason and the Argonauts in gaining the Golden Fleece. She who married Jason and gave him two sons in exile. She who was betrayed by Jason and abandoned for him to marry the young and pretty princess of Corinth. She who got her revenge by destroying what Jason loved most, cementing her place in myth as murderess, witch, and one disdained by both gods and men.
I finished this book about two weeks ago, and I just haven't been able to write a review yet because I'm so haunted by the writing of this sad, sad story. For context, I've been a big fan of the mythological character of Medea for a long time - I've directed two plays based on feminist retellings of her story, and I taught Euripides version to my students. As a director, my goal has always been to get the audience to empathize with Medea; I want them to feel her rage and root for her, while simultaneously fearing the end we all know is coming. This book completely succeeds in the goals I've always had for Medea's story.
Hewlett's writing evokes such sadness, bitterness, and those rare fleeting moments of hope that we hang onto. By starting at Medea's childhood, we get to see a rarely explored side of Medea's life - her family, the beginnings of her power, and what would push her to eventually betray them for Jason. There were so many sections where we see that Medea is clinging onto the idea that Jason loves her and her power instead of being disgusted by it - I was sad for her to accept the drippings of love she thought she deserved, and yet, I know that I and many women I know have done and felt that way. The middle section about Jason's family was new to me, and it was horrifying and sad to witness. I felt like this story dealt the best with Medea's children - there was a level of peace there that I haven't felt elsewhere. I think this is due to Hewlett's deft hand with Medea's growth and thought processes.
Overall, if you are a fan of Greek myth retellings, women getting revenge, and tragedies, you'll love this book. I was hooked from the dedication:
"For all the women who have ever been called 'too much' or 'not enough'."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation