thebooklovingpanda 's review for:

Medusa by Rosie Hewlett

4.0

---

3.75 stars

Content warnings:

Spoiler

childbirth; grief; loss of a loved one; pregnancy (as a result of rape); violence (including sexual assault), injury, death

I binge read this in one day (rare for me these days!) so Hewlitt's 'Medusa' was certainly a compelling (and very quick?) read. (Did Medusa's entire post-seventeen 'life' portion of the book only span nine-ish months?)

At first, I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style as it seemed very repetitive, with the same point often gets repeated in slightly different ways with frequently occurring words. The choice of vocabulary also felt at times jarringly modern, and so I kept expecting a storyline where Medusa is now living in our present-day. However, I did get used to it, and because it's a first-person POV with Medusa regularly breaking the fourth wall, I really became enveloped in her story. At times, I even forgot she was technically a fictional narrator and that this wasn't some real person's memoir.

I'm not particularly familiar with the Medusa myth (other than the mainstream version) -

Gif of a white woman with hissing snakes for hair and eyes glowing silver

- so I was really intrigued throughout to see what aspects Hewlett incorporated into 'Medusa'. My favourite of these elements was by far the strong and unexpectedly heart-wrenching sisterhood that really surprised me in the best way. I also really enjoyed Hewlett's characterisation of Perseus.

Other standout points included: the snakes, the vividness of Medusa's emotions - particularly when she first begins essentially a vigilante spree, the concept of Fated lives still being malleable, as well as the sharp look at gendered double standards and social issues.

A man can sing endlessly of a woman's beauty, but if she acknowledges it herself she is immediately the villain? One day I think I might strain my eyes from rolling them so much.

I did feel that I wanted more from the 'afterlife' portion of Medusa's story - how was she so up-to-date with everything happening in the mortal realm? I think there was a missed opportunity with getting Medusa to have, say, flash glimpses of the world every time the eyes on her mortal head are revealed or Athena uses her shield. Instead, we sort of just get a chronological summary of what happens next. That said, I didn't mind too much as I was well-invested in Medusa's story and gladly accepted the information, however its manner of conveyance.

Before we finish, can we also appreciate how stunning this book cover is?! To me, what I see in the cover is Medusa winding her way around the lovely but withering flowery labels of 'beauty' given to her by strangers, to look and reflect upon the roles she has held in her life and narratives throughout history.

I believe history preferred to remember me as a dehumanised monster, it made for a more 'suitable' story. Our fragile patriarchy could hardly accept a female monster who can kill men and think for herself. That would be far too scary, wouldn't it?
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I was dead.

It is a remarkable feat to have written a book during lockdown, and I look forward to seeing what other stories Hewlett has in store for us!

Thank you to NetGalley and SilverWood Books Ltd who provided a copy for my honest review.