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sydapel's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Greek mythology retellings is something I've stayed away from for the past year (despite it absolutely being my sweet spot during trivia), because my escapist little brain can't really handle the extreme misogyny and violence against women that comes with the territory. However, after listening to another of Natalie Hayes books, I thought I'd give this a try.
There's a lot I did like about the characterization of Greek mythology in this, particularly the disillusionment of Perseus as a heroic figure and the immaturity of the gods, both of which were really interesting to consider outside the starry eyed way I saw them as a Percy Jackson kid. I don't know if the book totally accomplishs what it came to do, as Medusa still feels like an one dimensional character and her story is just part of this larger tale involved gods and heros and kings
Ultimately I like the way Hayes writing feels like reading a modern Greek play, but I don't know I will be devoring more Greek mythology retellings in the future.
There's a lot I did like about the characterization of Greek mythology in this, particularly the disillusionment of Perseus as a heroic figure and the immaturity of the gods, both of which were really interesting to consider outside the starry eyed way I saw them as a Percy Jackson kid. I don't know if the book totally accomplishs what it came to do, as Medusa still feels like an one dimensional character and her story is just part of this larger tale involved gods and heros and kings
Ultimately I like the way Hayes writing feels like reading a modern Greek play, but I don't know I will be devoring more Greek mythology retellings in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
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
theblerdnewsletter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Perhaps I shouldn’t have read this right after I read Ithaca. I dislike books that start off with character lists, because I’m not flipping back and forth (something that’s impossible to do if you’re reading an audiobook). Also, I thought the depth of the characterization wasn’t as well done as literally all of the other Greek mythology retellings. It’s a fast read, good perspective from Medusa and her sisters, but pretty bland otherwise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Grief, Murder, Rape, and Sexism
teresaelj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So, here’s the thing- the last 50 pages- my goodness, brilliant. The twist, didn’t see it coming and I loved it. There were two in fact and I loved both. The last 50 pages made me wanna give it 4 stars. However, this is a slow burn, there are moments you wanna say “why the heck is the person narrating??” It is incredibly well thought out and researched. I did like it but it wasn’t as Medusa based as I thought it would be. Overall, with the ending, lovely arc. Without that ending…. Snooze. Not what I wanted. Hence the 3.5 rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Outing, Rape, Sexual assault, Genocide, Violence, and Sexual violence
itisnatal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
abbyarm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, War, and Violence
Minor: Incest, Pregnancy, Grief, and Infidelity
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
moonytoast's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Natalie Haynes is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors and I'm glad to say I enjoyed Stone Blind as much, perhaps more, than I expected given my experience with her other works regarding Greek myths. She has a particular style that I really love where certain perspectives within the narrative will seem to engage in conversation with the reader of the story, both here and in A Thousand Ships.
As someone whose first encounter with much of Greek myths was in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, I think the way that Haynes conveys these stories is quite engaging and serves to reframe the narrative around Medusa and the Gorgons as supposed monsters as well as the standard perception of Perseus' quest to retrieve the head of one of the Gorgons. Here, Medusa is a living, breathing character whose immortal Gorgon sisters are also made human through their fears and anxieties about protecting Medusa from harm... and the raw devastation in their failure to do so. In a twist of our common understanding of the Greek myth, Haynes paints Perseus as a coward whose accompliments are solely due to excessive aid from multiple gods on behalf of Zeus. Here, he is a coward that uses the Gorgoneion at the mere inkling of conflict or obstacle to his goals and unabashedly revels in the mass death it causes, regardless of whether the victims are guilty or innocent of some slight against him. It is a far cry from the story told in Percy Jackson, but I think that it holds much more truth about the way men acquire and wield power.
Once again, Haynes manages to weave together a beautiful tapestry of myth and breathes new life into this story of a woman repeatedly violated by the whims of the gods. (Also: Haynes is an excellent narrator and I definitely recommend listening to the audiobooks of her work if you're an audiobook reader and love Greek myth retellings!)
My current ranking of Hayne's work that I've read:
1. A Thousand Ships
2. Stone Blind
3. Pandora's Jar
As someone whose first encounter with much of Greek myths was in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, I think the way that Haynes conveys these stories is quite engaging and serves to reframe the narrative around Medusa and the Gorgons as supposed monsters as well as the standard perception of Perseus' quest to retrieve the head of one of the Gorgons. Here, Medusa is a living, breathing character whose immortal Gorgon sisters are also made human through their fears and anxieties about protecting Medusa from harm... and the raw devastation in their failure to do so. In a twist of our common understanding of the Greek myth, Haynes paints Perseus as a coward whose accompliments are solely due to excessive aid from multiple gods on behalf of Zeus. Here, he is a coward that uses the Gorgoneion at the mere inkling of conflict or obstacle to his goals and unabashedly revels in the mass death it causes, regardless of whether the victims are guilty or innocent of some slight against him. It is a far cry from the story told in Percy Jackson, but I think that it holds much more truth about the way men acquire and wield power.
Once again, Haynes manages to weave together a beautiful tapestry of myth and breathes new life into this story of a woman repeatedly violated by the whims of the gods. (Also: Haynes is an excellent narrator and I definitely recommend listening to the audiobooks of her work if you're an audiobook reader and love Greek myth retellings!)
My current ranking of Hayne's work that I've read:
1. A Thousand Ships
2. Stone Blind
3. Pandora's Jar
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Murder and War
Minor: Grief and Blood
alexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If I compare Stone Blind to A Thousand Ships, they have to be equals.
This novel is both a redemption for Medusa and a challenge to our much-repeated tales of Greek heroes that unquestionably take the heroes as the main characters. Where A Thousand Ships problematizes and modernizes the classic Greek epics, Stone Blind redeems Medusa and other “monsters”. It was lovely.
This novel is both a redemption for Medusa and a challenge to our much-repeated tales of Greek heroes that unquestionably take the heroes as the main characters. Where A Thousand Ships problematizes and modernizes the classic Greek epics, Stone Blind redeems Medusa and other “monsters”. It was lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death, Confinement, War, Kidnapping, Murder, and Infidelity