booksawyer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is a 2023 release that I’ve seen go under the radar. I had not heard anything about it until it was personally recommended to me, so after the life changing experience of reading it, I feel the need to talk about it as much as possible so it can get the hype it deserves!
Stone Blind is a #metoo era re-evaluation of the myth of Medusa and Perseus. On a greater level, it explores how women are often vilified in situations when they are really the victim. This book will frustrate you. It will make you want to stop reading and throw the book at the wall, yet also captivating you so much that you are unable to put the book down. This book made me cry, fume with rage, and stay up all night thinking about it at so many points throughout the tale.
I absolutely loved the way the story was told. The format of this book and Haynes’s use of point-of-view made me love the novel so much. We follow the perspective of so many different characters, venturing off into subplots that make the reader wonder “I thought this was supposed to be a book about Medusa?” However, Haynes masterfully weaves each chapter together, culminating in a satisfying ending where all the pieces come together. This element made Stone Blind so fascinating to read.
Stone Blind is fantastic for readers who, like me, are new to reading literary fiction. It is complex at times and often makes you think, but it is never confusing or overwhelming. This book is also suitable for people with all kinds of backgrounds with mythology. The timely and relevant conversations this book presents allow someone to enjoy this book even if they don’t typically love myths. Additionally, a character guide is included at the beginning of the book, which is helpful to understand who everyone is and what is going on.
Stone Blind genuinely felt like a perfect novel. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and truly unforgettable. I really can’t recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Violence, Death, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Misogyny and War
Minor: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Additional Content Warnings: Major Victim Blaming, Revenge Moderate Child Abandonment, Manipulation, Forced/Arranged Marriage, Predatory Behavior, PTSD Minor Crowing, Sacrifice, Imprisonment, Elder Abuseaugie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape
iwishihadmoretimetoread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
nimeneth's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I know these are the Greek gods and they're petty already, but this retelling took every one of them, except Hades who was mentioned but never seen, all the way down to petulant. I didn't find it particularly funny, nor did I find it especially poignant the way some other mythology retellings have been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
kshertz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I think you have to know about and love Greek myths for this book to be a book that you would really enjoy. A lot of the time I didn’t know what was going on and I think that’s because I don’t know a lot of Greek myths and the history. It was interesting to get these different perspectives but it’s almost too many perspectives and I got lost sometimes. But I really did enjoy when it all came together in the end and you got to see what really happened from the perspective of all these different people. The ending was the best part for sure
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Rape, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence
alltyedup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, War, Rape, and Sexual assault
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Sexual harassment, Murder, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, War, Kidnapping, and Animal death
katrinky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
i loved this book! extremely here for any and all feminist re-framings of greek mythology. (do NOT read this book if you strongly love perseus, andromeda, athena, or really any olympian.) i guess i adore medusa, the gorgons, and a giant sea monster mother now??
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, and Death
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i wish this focused more on medusa's story. i feel like the whole thing was about perseus :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Body horror, Cursing, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Death, Gore, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexism, Blood, and Sexual assault
bandysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Medusa? Feminist retelling? By a well-established author of Greek mythology retellings? Yes, please! Sign me up! When I saw this listed under available audiobooks, I immediately sent in a request.
I delved into this story with enthusiasm and was mostly satisfied with what was delivered. This is a multi-POV story that gives us chapters from the Gorgon sisters, Athene, and Perseus in addition to Medusa. All of the chapters collectively bring us the story of Medusa's life and the events outside of her control that cause her eventual fate.
I thought the characterization of the various gods and demi-gods was very well done. I appreciate that they aren't glorified or made to seem benevolent. Haynes really leans into their awful behaviors toward mortals and it honestly makes a lot more sense.
I also loved how she chose to characterize the Gorgons. They may appear monstrous, but even monsters love their family. She really did a good job of humanizing them and making us care about their plight. It made the emotional response to Medusa's story that much stronger.
My only real qualm with this story is that I expected it to be more about Medusa in her own words since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.. Instead, we have more chapters of other people talking than we do of her talking. It sort of allows her voice to be a bit squashed by everyone else. Perhaps that is an intentional choice that mirrors exactly what is happening to Medusa within the story, but I do wish I'd heard a bit more from her.
As for the audiobook, I believe Haynes narrates this herself. I thought the narration was smooth and easy to follow. She voices each character well and with the right emotions in the right places. I have no real critique to offer in terms of the narration.
All in all, whether you listen to this or read it, if you enjoy Greek mythology retellings, I think you'll likely enjoy this one. Medusa is a compelling character, made more so by Haynes' treatment of her.
I delved into this story with enthusiasm and was mostly satisfied with what was delivered. This is a multi-POV story that gives us chapters from the Gorgon sisters, Athene, and Perseus in addition to Medusa. All of the chapters collectively bring us the story of Medusa's life and the events outside of her control that cause her eventual fate.
I thought the characterization of the various gods and demi-gods was very well done. I appreciate that they aren't glorified or made to seem benevolent. Haynes really leans into their awful behaviors toward mortals and it honestly makes a lot more sense.
I also loved how she chose to characterize the Gorgons. They may appear monstrous, but even monsters love their family. She really did a good job of humanizing them and making us care about their plight. It made the emotional response to Medusa's story that much stronger.
My only real qualm with this story is that I expected it to be more about Medusa in her own words since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.. Instead, we have more chapters of other people talking than we do of her talking. It sort of allows her voice to be a bit squashed by everyone else. Perhaps that is an intentional choice that mirrors exactly what is happening to Medusa within the story, but I do wish I'd heard a bit more from her.
As for the audiobook, I believe Haynes narrates this herself. I thought the narration was smooth and easy to follow. She voices each character well and with the right emotions in the right places. I have no real critique to offer in terms of the narration.
All in all, whether you listen to this or read it, if you enjoy Greek mythology retellings, I think you'll likely enjoy this one. Medusa is a compelling character, made more so by Haynes' treatment of her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Body horror, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief