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annick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is beautifully poignant in writing and audio . It makes so much more sense than the tales of Perseus and Medusa and Athene I grew up with.
There are many moments of beautiful writing. Chapter from the snakes’ perspective. The dialogue of assertive Medusa and petulant Poseidon. But especially when it’s 1POV addressed to the reader.
I like the choice for most of the violence and sexual assault to be excluded from the scenes written. Even the narrative on turning people to stone is empathetic to the character’s trauma and the readers.
I can’t find fault with the writing, I want to revisit it, and recommend it to others. So it meets my pesky criteria for five stars.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
madkelley's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Violence and Rape
stellahadz's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Aside from the final chapter, I wouldn't call this book a retelling so much as a reframing; the character of Medusa is given space to be a fully fleshed-out character as opposed to simply a monster. Haynes turns the idea of a "hero" on its head through the character of Perseus, who is portrayed as impulsive, bratty, and incompetent instead of brave and adventurous. The tone of the story is elegant and wise but not overly serious - as much as I enjoyed Madeline Miller's books, I found that they lacked levity. I appreciated that there was some humor in Stone Blind. It helps the book feel more modern, reinforcing the idea that its themes and topics are still relevant. I liked the multiple POVs and getting to see how the different aspects of the story tied together through different characters.
Overall a super enjoyable read. I'm often skeptical of Greek mythology retellings, but this one definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm very interested in reading more of Haynes's work.
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Violence, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death and Infidelity
acasiamae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
catarina_pego's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Incest, Violence, Stalking, Abandonment, War, Rape, and Blood
sarabookshelf's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
robyn_fenix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Confinement, Blood, War, Rape, and Grief
Minor: Animal death
katewhite77's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I tend to avoid myth retellings like the plague simply because I don't know the original material all that well over and above what we are all taught in primary school. I just let myself get swept away by the story.
I read this because it was on a prize list last year, and I have always loved Natalie Hains as a comic and have wanted to try one of her books for a while.
Grim, though the tale is, Natalie's humour sings throughout the book, and because of this, I really recommend the audiobook as she performs it herself, which, of course adds another layer to the humour.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book half as much as I did, and I really want to explore more retellings and source material now. Who knew!
Graphic: Murder, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
crodgers90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape