Medusa

Very well written and it gives insight to Medusa & those connected to her.

I began to read more about Greek Mythology and Medusa is one of my favourite character. I really recommend this book if you want to read her POV

This Medusa is a retelling of the Greek myth of the same name, except this time it is Medusa herself telling us her story from the afterlife. We get a very different tone of Medusa in this short book, but it’s certainly one that I think will stick with the reader for a long time.We do see Perseus in a positive light (though I’m of the personal opinion that he was a total jackass) and it actually works SO WELL for the story that Hewlett wants to tell. I honestly couldn’t even be mad.I had no idea how slowly Medusa and her story were winding their way into my heart… until it was too late. I never cry when I read but one scene… one damn scene cracked my poor, dried out husk of a heart and I cried, and it was a good cry 😭This is a short book, and a fast paced read. If you love retellings, then this one comes highly recommended ✨CW: Sexual Assault, Misogyny, & Gaslighting

I have vague recollections of learning about the monster Medusa from back when I was at primary school- in the days when the characters were simply either evil or good, sad or happy, ugly or beautiful. So I thought relaxing with a bit of mythology would be a nice distraction from my usual psychological thrillers...Well I certainly didn't expect to be seeing inside the mind of a serial killer, understanding her motives and feeling compassion Or even to actually hope for and expect a different outcome from the one that literature has taught us. (No spoilers here!).And what I really didn't expect was to feel so emotional about this woman and so very angry towards her male and female persecutors. Obviously this has hit a nerve here.It will be really tempting to rush through this beautifully written short novel because it draws you in right from the go. The delightful classic style is cleverly laced with modern day colloquialisms keeping you present and attuned. But read it slowly and savour each chapter. I am really excited for the next book by this new author. I have a feeling she has only just got warmed up.

Have you ever felt like the book you've just read was meant for you? Like, actually made for you?This is what I felt when I discovered this book.While this is not the reimagining of the myth I expected it was so very interesting!First of all, it was high time that some wrote Medusa's stort bring out her voice. And while this set pretty high expectations on this book, I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint!I loved it so so much.The story is told by Medusa herself as a way to take control of her story and let us know what really happened. She's such a witty badass, honestly, I fell in love with her.Her story is very delicate since she is a survivor. Of course, there are some dark moments in her life but they are treated so beautifully. With the outmost delicacy and understanding. Never have I thought of her as a monster. Never.And maybe it was a coincidence because I've just read Ariadne but it made me think of the Minotaur and really, who's the real monster here?I also found interesting her thoughts about beauty. It reminded me of "The secret history" where beauty is associated with terror. Medusa will end uo terrorizing everyone because she had once been so very beautiful.I enjoyed the feeling of sisterhood so much, they were such a weird yet amusing buch.Hermes was basically how I've always imagined him to be so that was really nice to see. The same goes for Poseidon. I've always hated him because just like his younger brother, he's a rapist and just a poor excuse of a man infm general so again, no surprises there.What did surprise me, though, was Perseus portrayal. It made for such a welcomed change to have a sensitive hero, once that isn't afraid to be vulnerable and wears his heart in his sleeve. Perseus is basically a mommy's boy and this again, this attachment to his mother, is unusual but so sweet.He's an unwilling hero just as Medusa is an unwilling moster. I also loved their dynamic. An unexpected one but it also gave Medusa more agency in regards to her fate. Which, I realize, it was the whole point of this book.In the end, this book was beautifully written and finally brought some light on a myth that was in dire need to be rewritten. I'm so thankful I've found this books.