Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'
STONE BLIND - Der Blick der Medusa: Roman by Natalie Haynes
20 reviews
imageryx's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is mainly a retelling of Perseus's journey, but it does spend time on the origins of the characters. The story is told only through women's perspectives and definitely reframes the story. I love that there are many different kinds of women portrayed in the story. None of them are one dimensional or the same basic character with a different name.
I will say, the middle part of this book was a slog. The author had to set up a lot to really drive the ending home. It picks up again in the last quarter.
I will say, the middle part of this book was a slog. The author had to set up a lot to really drive the ending home. It picks up again in the last quarter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Suicide, Murder, and Rape
Minor: Slavery
savshanae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book! I loved the twist in the stories, and of course I came for Medusa, which did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book looking for a quick read about Greek mythology with a feminist twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Violence, Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Confinement, Death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
alexschrade's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.25
I set this book aside for a good 2 months before deciding to finish it, because I found the writing style very confusing. This being said, when I did continue to read it, it all turned out quite logical and well-written in the end. I just wish the beginning wasn't this difficult to get through, other than that I thought it was a good book with a lot of food for thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
unfinishedduet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Incest, Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, Blood, Violence, Sexism, Murder, and Adult/minor relationship
notthatcosta's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Infidelity, Rape, Abandonment, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Grief, Incest, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Murder, and Pregnancy
ivegotyourpaperback's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Grief, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Murder, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
m1nature's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Rape, Violence, Incest, and Death
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, War, Confinement, Death, and Murder
iwishihadmoretimetoread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
alltyedup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, War, Rape, and Sexual assault