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A review by mysafe_place
Medusa by Jessie Burton
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.
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.