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

Retelling of the Medusa story but adjacent characters get plenty of focus as well. Very entertaining and interesting, and the author as narrator does an amazing job narrating.

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sas_ram's review against another edition

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3.75

So describe this story in a few words: victim-blaiming, multiple timelines/perspectivs that take away from Medusa, less focuse on Medusa than expected (it's just as much Athenas story as Medusa's), not that mythologically correct ending, makes the gods look almost human, Athena is egoistic as hell, you literally get to know more about Athenas character than Medusas, there are some parts that are much better in how it's written than most of the story. In general in just lacks depth.
It is a good read but definitly not one of the best retellings out there.

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jessrapearce's review against another edition

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I felt like it wasn’t really a book about Medusa, and I found most of the chapters were too short to give any sort of character development, leaving the writing quite flat. And although Natalie Haynes is praised for her ability to change the mood in every other page, I don’t think it is an attribute that I favoured thought this book. Mainly because I was never able to settle into a comfortable length of reading, where I was really engrossed in the book and what was happening.

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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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