maureen2506's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Die vielen unterschiedlichen Perspektiven machen das Buch wirklich einzigartig und die Tatsache, dass Medusas Kopf ebenfalls eine Erzählerstimme ist, gefällt mir sehr. Eine wirklich tragische Geschichte sehr spannend erzählt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Rape
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ok well this was a lot. Greek mythology is never simple and never a straightforward story, I know this from Stephen Fry’s versions. This book held true to this trend.
Stone Blind is a retelling of the Medusa myth but more from her point of view. Of course, because there are many players in this tale we get a whole lot of storyline’s and points of view.
I loved how Medusa is not painted as an evil villain in this book and you really do feel sorry for her. Perseus is also portrayed as a bit of a dick (sorry but it’s true) which was also a nice break from the Hero mentality.
I loved the multiple points of view but at some stages it got a bit confusing and well a lot (there was a chapter of the snakes opinions which seemed to drag a bit). Also one chapter we were literally being yelled at, and though I understand why it was there (to change the well known narrative) it was a bit condescending.
It was a good way to learn about Greek mythology but I did finish wishing it had been more of a descriptive narrative and less dialog.
Stone Blind is a retelling of the Medusa myth but more from her point of view. Of course, because there are many players in this tale we get a whole lot of storyline’s and points of view.
I loved how Medusa is not painted as an evil villain in this book and you really do feel sorry for her. Perseus is also portrayed as a bit of a dick (sorry but it’s true) which was also a nice break from the Hero mentality.
I loved the multiple points of view but at some stages it got a bit confusing and well a lot (there was a chapter of the snakes opinions which seemed to drag a bit). Also one chapter we were literally being yelled at, and though I understand why it was there (to change the well known narrative) it was a bit condescending.
It was a good way to learn about Greek mythology but I did finish wishing it had been more of a descriptive narrative and less dialog.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, and Death
speedidy's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault
carissa230's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Medusa is born as a mortal to a goddess. She lives with her sisters and they raise her. Being the only mortal is hard. She wants to live forever with her sisters and knows her life is going fast.
One day she is raped by Poseidon and his wife Athena punishes her for the rape. (Yeah makes sense). Medusa now has a head full of snakes. Her sisters are giant snakes so a few little ones on her head seem great. However, Medusa also can't make eye contact with anyone without turning them to stone.
To make her horrible life worse Perseus comes along to capture the head of her sisters. Perseus comes across as an idiot. The gorgons aren't doing anything wrong and when he meets them they're not mean, but his pride makes him still need their heads.
One day she is raped by Poseidon and his wife Athena punishes her for the rape. (Yeah makes sense). Medusa now has a head full of snakes. Her sisters are giant snakes so a few little ones on her head seem great. However, Medusa also can't make eye contact with anyone without turning them to stone.
To make her horrible life worse Perseus comes along to capture the head of her sisters. Perseus comes across as an idiot. The gorgons aren't doing anything wrong and when he meets them they're not mean, but his pride makes him still need their heads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
eatreadgamerepeat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a weird read - not that the book itself is weird - but its a really harrowing intense read (as you can imagine based on the title & premise TW for SA & murder - its not graphic but it does state bluntly and in clear language what is happening) but at the same time its kind of funny? Its a weird balance that I think is hard to strike that I do think that Natalie Haynes does it well but it gives the necessary gravitas (like I did tear up at one point) but at other parts in the book it had a really light hearted conversational tone at parts where its like the author was making fun of the way we know the original myth and also kinda calls you out at times "like oh you're feeling sympathy for Perseus?? really?" or the way Athena & Zeus both behave a little more like kinda clueless and spoiled brats than a the serious gods they are often portrayed as in other mythology retellings.
This book re-centers various women as the new protagonists and hero's of this story. There is a lot of commentary in this book about the way the men in these myths behave towards women and the way these women are remembered in the myths & stories themselves often presented from the point of view of these women themselves. The book really challenges you to reconsider who the monsters really are (and if you don't know I'm a sucker for that trope).
This book re-centers various women as the new protagonists and hero's of this story. There is a lot of commentary in this book about the way the men in these myths behave towards women and the way these women are remembered in the myths & stories themselves often presented from the point of view of these women themselves. The book really challenges you to reconsider who the monsters really are (and if you don't know I'm a sucker for that trope).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
olivia_goode's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not sure exactly how to rate this book… at first I was pretty captivated and I do think it’s overall a good, feminist retelling of several well know myths. I think the ending fell a bit flat for me but I’m also not sure how I would have wanted it to end. Over all, I don’t love it as much as Circe or the Song of Achilles but I’d still recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
hfleur's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Physical abuse and Confinement
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
anntharai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
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 Abuse