Reviews

Η απομόνωση της Μέδουσας τελειώνει όταν ένας άγνωστος έρχεται στο νησί της. Εκείνη δε θέλει να του φανερωθεί. Τα φίδια που έχει αντί για μαλλιά δεν είναι ένα θέαμα που θέλει να μοιραστεί μαζί του αλλά δεν θέλει και να τον αποφύγει. Μια γνωριμία στις τόσο απελπιστικά ήσυχες μέρες της είναι μεγάλος πειρασμός. Ειδικά όσο τον ακούει να μιλάει για το δικό του ταξίδι, η αίσθηση της εγγύτητας σε κάποιο άλλο άνθρωπο είναι πιο παρηγορητική από όσο θα έπρεπε. Ξετυλίγεται, όπως δηλώνει και ο τίτλος, η ιστορία πέρα από το μύθο με έμφαση στο τι έχει να πει η ίδια η Μέδουσα για όσα έγιναν. Τις δικές της σκέψεις και συναισθήματα. Και το δικαίωμα της να ακουστεί και να την καταλάβουν. Είναι κάτι πολύ παραπάνω από το κορίτσι που έγινε άδικα ο στόχος της σκληρότητας θεών και ανθρώπων.

Μια φρέσκια ματιά (τόσο στη γλώσσα όσο και στην οπτική των θεμάτων που πραγματεύεται) και δυνατή εικονογράφηση σε αυτή την αρχετυπική ιστορία εκδίκησης, συναίνεσης, τιμωρίας, εμπιστοσύνης και προδοσίας. Μια ιστορία για κάθε πλάσμα που το έκρυψαν πίσω από ένα μύθο.

Για άλλη μια φορά η Burton προσφέρει ένα κείμενο αντάξιο των προσδοκιών μου.

«Ήταν μια γλυκιά ζωή. Ήταν η ζωή μου. Δεν ζήτησα τίποτα από κανέναν, παρά μόνο να καταλάβω τον μικρό μου χώρο μακριά στην άκρη της Νύχτας.»

«Η ζωή σου προσφέρει παράξενους καθρέφτες.»

Medusa's isolation ends when a stranger comes to her island. She doesn't want to reveal herself to him. The snakes on her head are not a sight she wants to share with him but she doesn't want to avoid him either. An acquaintance in her so hopelessly quiet days is a great temptation. Especially while listening to him talk about his own journey the sense of closeness is more comforting than it should be. As the title states, the story beyond the myth unfolds with an emphasis on what Medusa herself has to say about what happened. Her thoughts and feelings. Her right to have it heard and be understood. She is much more than the girl who was unfairly targeted by the cruelty of gods and men.

A fresh look (both in language and perspective) and impressive illustration in this archetypal story of revenge, consent, punishment, trust and betrayal. A story about each creature that was hidden behind a myth.

Once again Burton delivers a text worthy of my expectations.

"It was a sweet life. It was my life. I demanded nothing from anyone, except to occupy my little space far on the edge of Night."

"Life offers you strange mirrors."

amylovesbooks720's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective sad fast-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

3.0

arcoirisdesign's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

thebooksuccubus's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoy reading thus tell of Medusa and getting to see her story from her POV. There isn't many book that really showcase her side so this was a nice take. PSA "trigger warning" this do mention SA it's not a explicit scene but it is a flash back of in the moment. I liked getting to see the meeting between her and Perseus, and them getting to understand one another. Medusa growth throught the story is one of inner strength.

heli_hz's review against another edition

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informative sad fast-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? Yes

3.75

mysafe_place's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

I knew from the beginning that this retelling of Medusas story was more of a young adult version and I accepted that, I put my expectations low especially considering that the book itself is not all that long too. Yet after finishing it I am still dissatisfied with what I read. The whole story was written like a fanfiction and there was hardly any room for interpretation (mostly I sensed there would be but then it was analysed by the narrator, so Medusa herself). Occasionally some great passages could be found, which actually proved that this story could have been narrated in such a more detailed and fulfilling way but sadly it was not.
I believe that the story itself hugely lacked depth and profoundness which is why it feels plain to read it. Medusa is certainly conveyed as a girl rather than a monster and I felt myself empathising with her once a while but that only came across as the tip of the iceberg. Only a character trait and not her character. Moreover I liked that this sweet and innocent love story was added to Perseus and Medusa but ending the story by Medusa killing Perseus rather than him killing Medusa is simply useless to me. Not accurate in a mythical way. Does not empower Medusa as the author intented to do. Why change the myth (such a crucial part of it) if you want to convey the message that myths are more than how they end and that you cannot "break up" a myth?
Would especially not recommend this book for anyone who has not yet read anything about Greek mythology.

trex1521's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0

jolplein's review against another edition

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reflective sad fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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