Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - STONE BLIND - Der Blick der Medusa: Roman

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

STONE BLIND - Der Blick der Medusa: Roman by Natalie Haynes

36 reviews

mamalzie's review against another edition

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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

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booksawyer's review against another edition

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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.

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heather_freshparchment's review against another edition

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dark reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

aj_langley's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

notthatcosta's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I've never been a Classics girlie but I found this book utterly compelling and charming. Although it took about 60 pages to really grab me, it didn't let go after that.

I didn't know I was longing for a woman-centric take of mythology and one that challenges the notion of monstrosity and evil women, but I was so utterly captivated by Natalie Haynes' fresh and witty take on well-trodden ground.

Of course, many parts are deeply sad, but it's filled with humour, pathos and intention, so I can't really resent it. Also, most of the plot is pretty established...being based on Greek myths and all that.

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ivegotyourpaperback's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

All the stars ever. This is by far my favourite read (or listen) of the year.

The author herself did a brilliant dramatic reading which I was riveted by. Her tone and the way she have each character a unique voice and personality was a delight to listen to.

While this is the story of Medusa, it’s made all the richer by also getting to know the interconnected characters that I’d heard of on their own but never realised they had a connection to Medusa’s myth. There are various POV’s of Goddesses, mortal women, the 3 Gorgon sisters, even an object (the Gorgoneion), the snakes on Medusa’s head, Stone (yes, as in the rock), and more.

I love how some of the POV’s seem to ‘break the fourth wall’ (so to speak), as if the character is directly addressing the reader.

The coercive sexual assault of a 16 year old girl trying to protect others was heartbreaking (thank goodness the details of the assault weren’t on page). The aftermath made me cry (which I almost never do when reading). The entitlement to a girl’s body radiating from Poseidon is reminiscent of so many SA stories we hear about today.

But with the horror of the tale it also has incredible moments of beauty highlighting the importance of the company and comfort women can provide to each other during life’s various trials and hardships.

It was hugely satisfying for me that even when Poseidon is trying to be the great ruler of his kingdom he still comes off as second fiddle to Zeus in this story. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like either of the deities but the thwarting of Poseidon’s authority is a minor karmic justice for the grave crime committed against Medusa.

I also loved the portrayal of Perseus as a bumbling idiot, rather than a self-confident epic hero . It’s portrayed that he doesn’t actually know what he’s doing, and drives home the point that what he’s doing isn’t right, because he doesn’t have any strong feelings about the murder of an innocent person, who’s minding her own business. He’s got blinders on - his only motivation is his mother. Speaking of which, the text does a great job of pointing out that, this whole quest to ‘prove himself’ to the king, probably never needed to happen.

Standout characters for me were Métis (short though her appearance was), Stheno (surprisingly funny) and Hera (Sassy, spiteful bitch).

Favourite quote (from Zeus’ POV): “He assumed that Hera was busying herself turning one of his favourite girls into a cow, or a weasel, or whatever, which means it may well be too late to intervene and save her. Although there was always the possibility that the world had just gained an attractive new cow, so all was not lost.”

Content warnings:

⚠️rape

⚠️adultery

⚠️sexual coercion

Content Warnings

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No

1.5

I love a good feminist retelling and I've read another Medusa reimagining before. This one was not good compared to the other I had read previously. I liked some aspects like how most of the povs were female characters, but it was so slow and that many povs didn't add anything to the story. It didn't feel like the focus was supposed to be on Medusa. The ending was okay, liked how Athene "went home", but otherwise the ending was quite a letdown. I was hoping for so much in this and didn't get much of anything. Honestly with how slow it was, I should've dnf'd but I pushed through.

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_dina's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Captivating and incredibly well written, so far I’ve loved everything from Natalie Haynes !
I’m very familiar with Greek mythology so the plot was not a surprise for me but I truly did not expect that ending, I can’t stop thinking about it.

Content Warnings

eilatan6991's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

thefluffyowl's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

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