Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

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

21 reviews

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Infidelity, Rape, Abandonment, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Grief, Incest, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Murder, and Pregnancy

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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, War, Confinement, Death, and Murder

readingwithcoffee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Death

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexism, Rape, Sexual harassment, and War

eilatan6991's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Infidelity, Death, Rape, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual assault, and Sexism

kshertz's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I think you have to know about and love Greek myths for this book to be a book that you would really enjoy. A lot of the time I didn’t know what was going on and I think that’s because I don’t know a lot of Greek myths and the history. It was interesting to get these different perspectives but it’s almost too many perspectives and I got lost sometimes. But I really did enjoy when it all came together in the end and you got to see what really happened from the perspective of all these different people. The ending was the best part for sure

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Rape, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence

sophieamreacher's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This book gave me ultimate feminine rage and made me heartbroken at the same time. Audiobook was amazing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Death, and Misogyny

Moderate: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

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 :(

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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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Body horror, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief

emerahl's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault

Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Abandonment

quinn22's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Confinement, and Infidelity

Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Grief, Violence, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, Rape, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, Animal death, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Suicide, Gore, Incest, and Toxic relationship