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easyintheory's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I love a Greek mythology retelling, but this book was even better than I expected. Soulful, unabashed, and eloquent writing. Gorgeous, strikingly confident sketch and paint illustrations. Especially poignant for survivors of sexual assault. Beware of triggers, but I think it is such a worthwhile read, and will leave you feeling empowered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
thegreatescapist's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
It’s one premise really, but I was intrigued to see where it went.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Violence
gggclo's review against another edition
3.0
This had a great sentiment but I felt it was quite dragged out. Even as a short story it was too long.
aclopez6's review against another edition
5.0
Burton and Gill reimagined what Medusa and Perseus's story may have been like, and how things could have ended differently for Medusa, through a more feminist lens. In the traditional telling of Medusa, Perseus kills Medusa by looking at her through a mirror and slicing off her head. In this book, Medusa and Perseus fall in love through a series of miscommunications and secrets, and Medusa accidentally kills Perseus by looking at him.
I thought this book was a solid reimagining of Medusa's tale. From the first line the authors seek to draw you into Medusa's story, "If I told you that I'd killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, this mottled mirror, this body of unusual flesh?" (1)
The authors humanize Medusa and make each decision feel honest and vulnerable. Medusa is very likable, but she has been victimized by Athena, sexually assaulted by Poseidon, and treated as a pariah by her community. Her sisters are her advocates and companions, but Medusa's character was isolated for years. On page 32 she thinks, "When was the last time someone had spoken to me like this? Too long, too long. Maybe never".
The author also includes lines that critique the patriarchal nature of society and the blaming of sexual assault victims. For example, on page 89, when Perseus is explaining his mother's predicament of being pursued by Polydectes, he says "Polydectes would never accept her own refusals of herself, but he would when they were told him by a man."
I thought this book was a solid reimagining of Medusa's tale. From the first line the authors seek to draw you into Medusa's story, "If I told you that I'd killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, this mottled mirror, this body of unusual flesh?" (1)
The authors humanize Medusa and make each decision feel honest and vulnerable. Medusa is very likable, but she has been victimized by Athena, sexually assaulted by Poseidon, and treated as a pariah by her community. Her sisters are her advocates and companions, but Medusa's character was isolated for years. On page 32 she thinks, "When was the last time someone had spoken to me like this? Too long, too long. Maybe never".
The author also includes lines that critique the patriarchal nature of society and the blaming of sexual assault victims. For example, on page 89, when Perseus is explaining his mother's predicament of being pursued by Polydectes, he says "Polydectes would never accept her own refusals of herself, but he would when they were told him by a man."
nuttyrachy's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit at first I only gave this three stars because I didn't get why the ending was different to the original legend I've remember learning as a child. Since reading the description and other reviews, I've since realised it was a reimagining tale, not just from another point of view so I've bumped it back up to 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this story, felt like a myth and legend version of Disney's twisted tales where you get the story from the villains side.The narrator was ok, she got a bit annoying as her change in tempo and voice wasnt very good in between characters and I sometimes struggled to hear the changes between who was speaking, or whether she was just narrating.
I really enjoyed this story, felt like a myth and legend version of Disney's twisted tales where you get the story from the villains side.The narrator was ok, she got a bit annoying as her change in tempo and voice wasnt very good in between characters and I sometimes struggled to hear the changes between who was speaking, or whether she was just narrating.
britt_isa's review against another edition
4.0
This was beautiful; Burton's poetic writing really added another dimension to this powerful retelling of Medusa's story.
nicolarr's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing version with sympathy and understanding, fitting into a current movement to rewriting the classics. Amazing illustrations, compelling emotional engagement.
salewis224's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was very, very good.
bishcakes's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0