a_violentfemme's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
In this, Haynes does a perfect job at portraying god's and mortals alike as petty, flawed and difficult people. Her ekphrasis is beautiful through out and her many sources and inspirations are clear throughout.
I love her audio books and have to end this review by agreeing with Haynes that Perseus sucks.
I love her audio books and have to end this review by agreeing with Haynes that Perseus sucks.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
zakura317's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, War, and Sexual violence
grnolivine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book is a fantastic retelling of Medusa's story from multiple points of view. You really learn to fall in love with Medusa and become angry with the selfishness of humans and men. It is a somewhat slow build to the end goal of the main character. Which, I do not mind. It motivated me to finish it quicker. Overall a good book for any greek mythology lovers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual assault
mamalzie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Genocide, Rape, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, Infidelity, and Death
merenguita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
It's good but it's not great.
I honestly thought there was going to be more Medusa in this story and i feel like the last part is way too much about Perseus...
There were emotional parts but even those I expected to be more emotional.
Idk, maybe I was way too hyped
I honestly thought there was going to be more Medusa in this story and i feel like the last part is way too much about Perseus...
There were emotional parts but even those I expected to be more emotional.
Idk, maybe I was way too hyped
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Rape
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 Abusethewellbitch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Retelling of the Medusa story but adjacent characters get plenty of focus as well. Very entertaining and interesting, and the author as narrator does an amazing job narrating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Death
sas_ram's review against another edition
3.75
So describe this story in a few words: victim-blaiming, multiple timelines/perspectivs that take away from Medusa, less focuse on Medusa than expected (it's just as much Athenas story as Medusa's), not that mythologically correct ending, makes the gods look almost human, Athena is egoistic as hell, you literally get to know more about Athenas character than Medusas, there are some parts that are much better in how it's written than most of the story. In general in just lacks depth.
It is a good read but definitly not one of the best retellings out there.
It is a good read but definitly not one of the best retellings out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, War, Confinement, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Stalking, Violence, Death, Incest, Misogyny, and Blood
jessrapearce's review against another edition
I felt like it wasn’t really a book about Medusa, and I found most of the chapters were too short to give any sort of character development, leaving the writing quite flat. And although Natalie Haynes is praised for her ability to change the mood in every other page, I don’t think it is an attribute that I favoured thought this book. Mainly because I was never able to settle into a comfortable length of reading, where I was really engrossed in the book and what was happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
jenni_snell's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape