micaelacccc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Child death
literate_liz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.5
This book gave Medusa the voice she deserves. I am a lifelong fan of Greek mythology, and Medusa’s story has always been fascinating to me. Heartbreaking and sad, yes, but also fascinating, especially when you hold it up like a mirror to the world we live in today. What makes a monster? What makes a hero? What makes history? Those are all questions I will probably have until the day I die, but I will always enjoy reading about other people’s opinions on them. “Medusa” is one I will definitely revisit again for that reason.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
adaora_ble's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
booksareoxygen's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
aaalison's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
(book spoilers ahead) this book was infuriating. it’s acclaimed as a feminist story which gives women the opportunity to be heard, yet it still uplifts an extremely patriarchal narrative. not only is medusa time and time again denounced and manipulated by other women in her life (mother, sisters, the very goddess she serves), but she finds herself both saved and ruined by men of well-meaning and cruel natures respectively. while i obviously do not think that victim blaming is ever acceptable, im extremely disappointed that medusa received the most flack from her very own patron goddess, athena. on the other hand, she found solace in perseus of all people?? the way they painted the one women with potential to be a powerful and guiding hand for medusa to be spiteful and crazy, while the man who killed her was perceived as levelheaded and sympathetic was extremely off-putting. these two relationships were definitely the most frustrating part of the novel, and i ultimately wish they had been different. although she does find support from women later in her story, the generally repetitive roles men and women take in her life draw a black and white world in which men are ultimately in power, and women are either manipulative or manipulated. there was so much potential to this story, (especially when u consider the other popular theory that athena actually blessed medusa by transforming her into a creature no man could ever assault again) and i’m terribly disappointed in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
chloebethx_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
Honestly this novel deserves so much more attention and praise!! Rosie Hewlett is definitely being added to my favourite authors! I did not know much about this novel before starting it, other than the obvious associations the name ‘Medusa’ has, but it really blew me away with how amazing it is!
Even in such a short novel you really feel like you have seen an entire life unfold, each page seems to just contain a perfect amount of knowledge and each character is so well-developed given the length of the novel!
For those who are already on the mythology retelling bandwagon Medusa is the book for you, but even for anyone who is new to the whole concept the story is so accessible and fun, and each plot so well explained, that anyone and everyone could love this book!
Even in such a short novel you really feel like you have seen an entire life unfold, each page seems to just contain a perfect amount of knowledge and each character is so well-developed given the length of the novel!
For those who are already on the mythology retelling bandwagon Medusa is the book for you, but even for anyone who is new to the whole concept the story is so accessible and fun, and each plot so well explained, that anyone and everyone could love this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
bryonyindecisivereader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“I was beautiful once.
I would not recommend it.
That might come as a surprise to you. A lot of the things I am about to tell you probably will, because there is a lot this world does not know about me. You see, my story has been retold and reimagined so many times over, sometimes even I do not recognise it.”
I was really blown away my Medusa. From the moment I opened the book, I was in love. The writing, the words, the story - all perfect.
Medusa’s story, told as it is here, is really powerful. It’s about a woman who was abused, grieving the life that she’s lost to the one that’s been forced upon her. It’s really interesting to hear the stages of her story, travelling through betrayal to anger to sadness. We also get to see her interact in different ways - as a young girl, as a sister, as a villain, as a mother - rather than just one or a couple that her retellings usually see.
I loved the tone of Medusa’s voice and how she narrates her story. I could have spent hundreds of pages in this story - but somehow, the ones that were included, felt like the perfect number. And honestly? I kind of like that it was shorter because it means I’ll be rereading it again this year without a doubt, and annotating it too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Grief and Murder
juliezantopoulos's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"But history is written by the winners. Or, more simply, history is written by men. ... The sad thing is I am not even surprised by these lies. I was not the first woman to be blamed for a man's flaws and I certainly will not be the last. ... I claimed earlier that beauty was my first curse, but perhaps it was actually being born a woman."
This book broke my heart. The cover claims Medusa as Gorgon. Killer. Monster. Victim. Survivor. Protector. Told from the POV of Medusa herself, we see her born to a mother who didn't love her, abandoned at a forgotten temple for Athena and raised by a Priestess in seclusion. Then we follow the harrowing events of her r*pe and subsequent cursing by the very Goddess she swore her life to. It's absolute bullshit.
"And how I wish this vile behavior had died out with our world, but I watch, outraged yet not entirely surprised, as the same tragedy echoes throughout generations, leaving an endless trail of broken victims and unscathed perpetrators."
I was so angry at times and at others bursting with respect for Medusa. Also, the Gods were assholes. There, I said it. I'm sure liberties were taken with the mythology of Medusa, but to be honest, I am not familiar with much of the original material or other retellings. What I do know is that this one resonated with me. It's powerful. It's raw. It reclaims things stolen from women, from victims, and it healed a part of me I didn't know was a bit broken. I highly recommend it for anyone who thinks they can handle the content. It's not an easy read but it's a beautiful one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Child death
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Abandonment
rubybooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Thank you so much to the author for contacting me and sending me a copy of Medusa to review! I love reading books to do with Greek mythology, and it's great to see that retellings are getting more popular. I knew straight away I wanted to read this because I've never read a book from Medusa's point of view before and I love her story - I definitely think her life is misunderstood and people often miss out a lot of context when discussing the myth.
Medusa is told from her point of view, and covers her entire life from birth to death and beyond. Medusa's narration allows for reflection and introspection, because she is discussing her life from the Underworld. This contrast really allows Medusa's development to shine through, and it highlights all the trauma she suffered. Rosie Hewlett builds the story around a moment of the myth not normally focused on as much. Instead of focusing on Perseus and her quest, she focuses on Medusa and why she was transformed.
I knew the story of how Medusa became a "monster", but I imagine a lot of people don't know the details so I'm glad this book discusses it. Medusa certainly does not have an easy life, and it was definitely difficult to read about all she experienced. The story is incredibly relevant because women are constantly demonised as well as blamed when they are victims of sexual assault. I was so frustrated seeing how she was treated!
I loved Medusa's characterisation. She is both strong and traumatised, and those two things do not contradict one another. I felt so much for her throughout, and I was definitely emotional at the end of the book. I loved the moments with Perseus too and he was always one of my favourite heroes to read about. I also really liked seeing how the gods were portrayed, especially Athena, although I wish we had seen more about her and her motives!
I just wish this book was longer! It was only 200 pages, so I flew through it, but I would have loved to see even more of Medusa's life, and more development in the second half of the book because I was so sucked in to the story. Sometimes I struggle with first person points of view, and occasionally the modern language did bring me out of the story, but overall I really liked the writing style and it fit the story well.
So thank you so much to Rosie for sending me a copy for review! I also study Classics at university so I was really excited. I'd definitely recommend this book, especially if you're interested in mythology retellings and character studies. Be aware of content warnings for discussion of rape, sexual assault, and murder, but nothing is graphic.
Medusa is told from her point of view, and covers her entire life from birth to death and beyond. Medusa's narration allows for reflection and introspection, because she is discussing her life from the Underworld. This contrast really allows Medusa's development to shine through, and it highlights all the trauma she suffered. Rosie Hewlett builds the story around a moment of the myth not normally focused on as much. Instead of focusing on Perseus and her quest, she focuses on Medusa and why she was transformed.
I knew the story of how Medusa became a "monster", but I imagine a lot of people don't know the details so I'm glad this book discusses it. Medusa certainly does not have an easy life, and it was definitely difficult to read about all she experienced. The story is incredibly relevant because women are constantly demonised as well as blamed when they are victims of sexual assault. I was so frustrated seeing how she was treated!
I loved Medusa's characterisation. She is both strong and traumatised, and those two things do not contradict one another. I felt so much for her throughout, and I was definitely emotional at the end of the book. I loved the moments with Perseus too and he was always one of my favourite heroes to read about. I also really liked seeing how the gods were portrayed, especially Athena, although I wish we had seen more about her and her motives!
I just wish this book was longer! It was only 200 pages, so I flew through it, but I would have loved to see even more of Medusa's life, and more development in the second half of the book because I was so sucked in to the story. Sometimes I struggle with first person points of view, and occasionally the modern language did bring me out of the story, but overall I really liked the writing style and it fit the story well.
So thank you so much to Rosie for sending me a copy for review! I also study Classics at university so I was really excited. I'd definitely recommend this book, especially if you're interested in mythology retellings and character studies. Be aware of content warnings for discussion of rape, sexual assault, and murder, but nothing is graphic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Murder, and Sexual assault