Scan barcode
A review by mijtje
Medusa by Jessie Burton
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If Medusa was an insecure, modern teenager: the story.
As a kid I loved Medusa. I thought of her as a strong, badass woman that took shit from no one and stoned all the dudes who as much as looked at her, but who, underneath all that badassery, had something really tragic and lonely about her as well. Sadly, this book revolves around the tragic and lonely part only: Medusa as a victim and her eventually getting over that. I expected a little more from a feminist retelling than that.
To say something positive as well — I have given the book 3 stars after all: the book discusses a lot of themes that I think a lot of teenage girls struggle with; insecurities about their looks, tendencies to judge their self-worth based on opinions from men, sexism in society, and a lot more. As a teenager, I think I would have loved this book. It’s a book I would want my future daughter to read. For me now… the themes are still nice, but they are also very clearly written out. There is no room to think or philosophise about it; it’s all there. (I also take offence to the legendary Medusa being referred to as “Med”, but that’s a small point that I nevertheless had to share.)
All in all the book was fine, it’s short and fast-paced, and I felt compelled to keep reading. But it’s also a book that’s quite forgettable. The cover is super pretty though.
PS. Stop keeping those poor dogs on a tiny boat. They need proper walks, and where do they poop?
As a kid I loved Medusa. I thought of her as a strong, badass woman that took shit from no one and stoned all the dudes who as much as looked at her, but who, underneath all that badassery, had something really tragic and lonely about her as well. Sadly, this book revolves around the tragic and lonely part only: Medusa as a victim and her eventually getting over that. I expected a little more from a feminist retelling than that.
To say something positive as well — I have given the book 3 stars after all: the book discusses a lot of themes that I think a lot of teenage girls struggle with; insecurities about their looks, tendencies to judge their self-worth based on opinions from men, sexism in society, and a lot more. As a teenager, I think I would have loved this book. It’s a book I would want my future daughter to read. For me now… the themes are still nice, but they are also very clearly written out. There is no room to think or philosophise about it; it’s all there. (I also take offence to the legendary Medusa being referred to as “Med”, but that’s a small point that I nevertheless had to share.)
All in all the book was fine, it’s short and fast-paced, and I felt compelled to keep reading. But it’s also a book that’s quite forgettable. The cover is super pretty though.
PS. Stop keeping those poor dogs on a tiny boat. They need proper walks, and where do they poop?