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A review by sea_bitch
O Olhar da Medusa by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Haynes choose violence with this book. I can't explain how mentally aggressive this book is.
I will start by saying that she knows her shit!! I researched every plotline and parentage just to learn more and become even more of a Greek mythology nerd and a lot of plot lines were from Eurypides not surprised since with Pandora's Jar I quickly learned how she loves him, bringing me along with her to join the bandwagon. She made some stuff up with the involvement of the gorgon's sister but the rest is on point!!! I love that!!!
She is an extremely powerful writer who had me laughing in one scene and had me have fits of rage in others. Parts of this book just destroyed me, in a good way of course. She just played with my emotions as the book progressed. The way women are picked and chosen to be protected or injured just at a whim, usually based on class and appearance, is very well-written and sadly still relevant. One another thing I love is how the "villains" the "bad men" are infantilized to look like bratty, insecure dumb babies. She took all of their power without taking away their evilness. and the horrible consequences of their actions.
The gods were portrayed as just power-angry, babies brats. Their ego is their biggest flow. I find that it is a common theme in different mythologies, which makes sense. They had to find a way to deal with the random horrific things that they were victims of. Randomness is a very hard concept for the human brain to deal with, ergo, the gods must be mad at us today, even for the dumbest reasons. She just made it that much more abrasive by making them look like babies. It is such an amazing touch!!!
As much as I want to I can't ignore Persus in this book. HE SUCKKKSSS. HE SUCKSSS SO HARD!!! Of course, he is one of the sons of Zeus, surprise, surprise. Perseus is the typical hero, celebrated by his violence and aggression with the all "I only kill when I have to" morality bullshit. One could agree that violence and murder are inevitable for human beings but why should it be celebrated? Assuming that art usually follows life this depiction of the violent hero must be a reflection of the standards of the past and still at the time, with all the action stars being celebrated. It made me wonder why and when this phenomenon of celebrating violence started. I would love to get more information on that. From an evolutionary standpoint, an aggressive temperament wouldn't make sense to be more propagated, to the well-being of the tribe there is a need for peace. I don't know... food for thought I guess.
It was an extremely reflective book, at Andromed's wedding when she was horrified by what Perseus did and he was just like oh she must be upset with what to do with the statues well I might just take her and leave her parents to deal with this mess. DUDE what in the hell is wrong with you?! And the word take her had me!!! Like she is bag he will just take way from her home and her parents. Get a mother fucking grip I just hate him
Hera and, especially Amphitrite were very interesting characters as well, in their minor roles. They aren't exactly the stereotype of women victims like Medusa is. However, they have to manage an unhappy marriage with a violent man. They kindly strike their ego while being disgusted by them managing them and manipulating them to survive. I think this is a role many women find themselves in, at least once in their lifetime. Their safety is at the hands of a man they need to manage because they can't handle their fragile emotions. Natalie highlighted the differences in their approach and temperament (Hera being much more cruel) while showcasing that the activity in itself is not that different.
The use of the character Gorgoneion is brilliant, with the time mend, awesome. A completely different character from Medusa. The way they speak and think is as different as night and day. It punctuates the story brilliantly. Going for someone who closes her eyes because she doesn't want to kill even in self-defense to want to find his eyes to kill him on sight and everyone around her in just one scene change was an extremely powerful tool. The word choice in her internal monologue "I don't feel like saving... I don't feel like... I don't feel like..." showed powerfully the coldness and carelessness of the character. Nothing mattered anymore, she lost all her humanity. Which didn't happen when she was raped and then punished, happened when she was no longer sister with the other Gorgons. She lost her community and succumbed to what the universe/gods wanted to her to be, a weapon.
I will start by saying that she knows her shit!! I researched every plotline and parentage just to learn more and become even more of a Greek mythology nerd and a lot of plot lines were from Eurypides not surprised since with Pandora's Jar I quickly learned how she loves him, bringing me along with her to join the bandwagon. She made some stuff up with the involvement of the gorgon's sister but the rest is on point!!! I love that!!!
She is an extremely powerful writer who had me laughing in one scene and had me have fits of rage in others. Parts of this book just destroyed me, in a good way of course. She just played with my emotions as the book progressed. The way women are picked and chosen to be protected or injured just at a whim, usually based on class and appearance, is very well-written and sadly still relevant. One another thing I love is how the "villains" the "bad men" are infantilized to look like bratty, insecure dumb babies. She took all of their power without taking away their evilness. and the horrible consequences of their actions.
As much as I want to I can't ignore Persus in this book. HE SUCKKKSSS. HE SUCKSSS SO HARD!!! Of course, he is one of the sons of Zeus, surprise, surprise. Perseus is the typical hero, celebrated by his violence and aggression with the all "I only kill when I have to" morality bullshit. One could agree that violence and murder are inevitable for human beings but why should it be celebrated? Assuming that art usually follows life this depiction of the violent hero must be a reflection of the standards of the past and still at the time, with all the action stars being celebrated. It made me wonder why and when this phenomenon of celebrating violence started. I would love to get more information on that. From an evolutionary standpoint, an aggressive temperament wouldn't make sense to be more propagated, to the well-being of the tribe there is a need for peace. I don't know... food for thought I guess.
It was an extremely reflective book, at Andromed's wedding when she was horrified by what Perseus did and he was just like oh she must be upset with what to do with the statues well I might just take her and leave her parents to deal with this mess. DUDE what in the hell is wrong with you?! And the word take her had me!!! Like she is bag he will just take way from her home and her parents. Get a mother fucking grip I just hate him
Hera and, especially Amphitrite were very interesting characters as well, in their minor roles. They aren't exactly the stereotype of women victims like Medusa is. However, they have to manage an unhappy marriage with a violent man. They kindly strike their ego while being disgusted by them managing them and manipulating them to survive. I think this is a role many women find themselves in, at least once in their lifetime. Their safety is at the hands of a man they need to manage because they can't handle their fragile emotions. Natalie highlighted the differences in their approach and temperament (Hera being much more cruel) while showcasing that the activity in itself is not that different.
The use of the character Gorgoneion is brilliant, with the time mend, awesome. A completely different character from Medusa. The way they speak and think is as different as night and day. It punctuates the story brilliantly. Going for someone who closes her eyes because she doesn't want to kill even in self-defense to want to find his eyes to kill him on sight and everyone around her in just one scene change was an extremely powerful tool. The word choice in her internal monologue "I don't feel like saving... I don't feel like... I don't feel like..." showed powerfully the coldness and carelessness of the character. Nothing mattered anymore, she lost all her humanity. Which didn't happen when she was raped and then punished, happened when she was no longer sister with the other Gorgons. She lost her community and succumbed to what the universe/gods wanted to her to be, a weapon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide