Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Stone Blind

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

72 reviews

caitlinjohnson's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-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? N/A

3.0

Natalie Haynes always finds a way to bring a new level of life and humanity to figures and characters that have been otherwise widely ignored or demonised. My favourite aspect of Stone Blind was that no female character was straight out demonised/evil but rather their complexities were explored with a nuance that was incredible to read.

Imo there should have been a bit more focus on Medusa herself because it felt more an ensemble rather than a deep dive into Medusa's character which would've been more intriguing. Still, the other characters that we got to meet and understand were great to read, especially because they seemed to be on opposite sides at times so it was certainly interesting to read.

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sammy357's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

One of the best books I've ever read! It's heartbreaking and so horribly sad. The audio book is amazing and I insist everyone listen to it

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anachii's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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blue_kiwi93's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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meant2breading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

“I’m wondering if you still think of her as a monster. I suppose it depends on what you think that word means. Monsters are, what? Ugly? Terrifying? Gorgons are both these things, certainly, although Medusa wasn’t always. Can a monster be beautiful if it is still terrifying? Perhaps it depends on how you experience fear and judge beauty.”

“You aren’t monsters,’ Medusa said. ‘Neither are you. Who decides what is a monster?’ ‘I don’t know,’ said Medusa. ‘Men, I suppose.’ ‘So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our teeth, our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.”

This was my first major Greek Mythology read for me in many years. I don’t have a lot of background in Greek Mythology and I didn’t feel like I was missing context, though it may have helped. I enjoyed reading the multiple POVS and the short chapters! Love short chapter books!! The story also gives a glimpse into how Medusa faces sexual violence, misogyny, sexism, and dehumanization, among other oppressive realities in depicted Greek Life (I mean, not like we’re past that in society today…). For me though, this felt like more of a glimpse. I wish we would have had more of the story focus on Medusa herself and her perspective, but I appreciated the pacing, the ending, and I love some feminine rage. 💕

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turrean's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The gods are capricious and fate is cruel and I need a drink.

I applaud the tiniest bit of agency Medusa had in this retelling of her story.

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katcass's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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emharps_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

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larakaa's review against another edition

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sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

1.0

What an utter disappointment. I had hoped to get Medusa's point of view but she barely has one third of the page number. Instead we get a plethora of characters and side stories among side stories that come together in the end in the most boring way. And of course Perseus who is a caricature of a spoilerd egoistic brat. And Medusa's thoughts and feelings? Rarely even mentioned.
Also: huge TW for rape which happens a lot here.

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charlielizabethm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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