Medusa by Rosie Hewlett

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Medusa is one of my favourite characters within Greek mythology, but I have to admit I did not enjoy this book. I ended up not finishing it, as I did not get on with the style - first person narrating to the reader. I did not like the uses of phrases like “anyway, where was I?” And “you wouldn’t think…”. The concept is great but unfortunately fell short for me

Beautiful, clever, heart breaking . Hewlett managed to make Perseus a character I enjoyed and I enjoyed the re imagining of him. But the story of Medusa and her sisters was just wonderful. Medusa came alive on the page and rose above what she’s been previously relegated to as a “monster”. Thank you Netgalley and Silverwood Books for the copy!

Rosie Hewlett's Medusa is an exhilarating look at Medusa. My interest in this book stemmed from my love of Medusa. It was a lot of fun -- the story is engaging and intriguing. It would be interesting to learn more about the characters and lore of this story. The narration was very poetic and I enjoyed the inner monologue.

"Medusa" is one of those books you don't want to put down... but you don't want to get to the end either! It's an incredibly gripping re-telling, told from Medusa's point of view. It's told perfectly! The writing is wonderful, the characters are brought up-to-date while still keeping the age and feeling of myth intact, and obviously the plot is great, too! I can't wait to see what Rosie Hewlett writes next!!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

I received a free e-ARC from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
[This review will be posted on my blog on 9 July 2021]

I love a retelling, and this one had a lot going for it. Medusa, by Rosie Hewlett is a thoughtful retelling of Medusa's story, through her own eyes. It is narrated by Medusa in the present day looking back at her life in Ancient Greece, as she resides in the Underworld. In style, it is similar to The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, so if you liked that, you might enjoy this book.
The narrative voice is very straightforward, and addresses the reader directly, in modern English. For me, this was both a pro and a con. I was able to connect with Medusa's character quite easily because of it, but on the other hand I found some of the quoted speech to be anachronistic. For example, one of Medusa's sisters calls somebody 'pal' at one point, and those instances kind of broke me out of the story.
As for the story itself, I was hooked. I won't go into a lot of detail here because otherwise I'd just be summarising the book for you, and you won't get to experience it yourself. But suffice it to say, I liked the direction the author took Medusa's character in, and the little twists on the original myths, especially in regards to her Gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryale.
That was really the greatest triumph of this novel - Medusa's characterisation. It's her story, told in her words, so it is almost solely focused on her growth. Medusa starts out as an abandoned child, grows to be more secure in herself, is raped by a god, is physically turned into a monster as punishment, and is eventually murdered. It was easy to empathise with Medusa, even at her most monstrous, because she is so so human.
I actually kind of loved her monstrous form, because she is the embodiment of justified rage. While I don't think the average woman would go on a murder spree after being raped and demonised, I still understood her anger on a primal level.
By the end of the book I was crying. Hewlett doesn't change Medusa's story to give her a happy ending, so you know what's coming. But it still hits you like a freight train.
This is a book about sisterhood and survival. It's about how even though you may not choose them for yourself, the family you are given sometimes becomes the family you choose. That even though you may be completely different, your sisters (familial and otherwise) will support you, even at great cost to themselves. It's about living as best you can, no matter what circumstances are thrown at you, no matter how unfair.

I'd recommend this to fans of The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, and Here, the World Entire by Anwen Kya Hayward. I also think fans of mythology retellings may enjoy this, as well as those who entire feminist and historical fantasy titles.

I don't really have much knowledge about Medusa apart from being the woman with snakes as hair, so I went into this book looking forward to her being brought to life. Unfortunately, for me, I just didn't connect with this book. I was not keen on the pov and it just seemed to lack depth and detail, although the premise was very good. Maybe it's because I am use to books with a lot of world building, or because I didn't have prior knowledge I needed more than was given.

Medusa is definitely up there as one of my favourite mythological figures; both rendered as monster, maiden and mother, there's so many layers to her story that redefine the arc her narrative has provided across time. In this rendition, Hewlett's story takes some of these creative adlibs to give Medusa a voice to tell a modern version of this classic tale.

Following from Medusa's birth, the story reflects upon the gorgon's life to provide context and clarity around how a beautiful young woman who had sworn herself to Athena was turned into the snake-headed creature by the very same goddess. I really liked that the episodic nature was maintained from classical literature, offering a bildungsroman that homed in on the female voice. Particular moments that stand out were Medusa being approached by a man at the temple for the first time; the impact of her gaze on a child; and the friendship she builds with Perseus before giving birth. These moments were so well written to humanise Medusa and showcase the agency beyond victim and monster.

Regarding format, I enjoyed the bitesized quality. Mythology can often be off putting to people because of its density but full kudos to Hewlett for creating an accessible and educational tale. By adding in the Greek terms within the prose, it provides a gateway to other texts, art pieces and more. It also helps flesh out the customs of the Greeks (we really do need more xenia!).

Where this story felt weaker was in the tone; particularly the fact that Medusa directly speaks to the reader in a plea for them to hear her side of the story. That dipping in and out of the timeline to remind us that Medusa speaks from the present as she mediates on her fate often felt clunky to read, somewhat pulling me out of the story. Likewise, the pull towards the current day in language sometimes seemed a little out of place. However, I did like that Medusa's future insight meant we were provided clarity around the lack of Olympian gods walking around us today which was a fun touch.

Overall, I enjoyed Medusa and definitely could see a wide range of readers enjoying this as a first step into mythology, or as a fun break from all the heavier texts! I'd recommend to fantasy and mythology fans as well as a more mature YA audience.

4.5

tw: rape, victim blaming.

Favourite quote:

“I find that monsters are made, not born. Perhaps you should remember that next time you encounter one.”

I recommend this for:

If you like greek mythology, retellings and morally grey main characters, then this is the perfect book for you.

What I liked:

I have been wanting to read a retelling of Medusa for a while, so when I found out this book existed and it was on NetGalley, I couldn’t pass up the offer. This retelling was exactly what I was hoping for, a morally-grey Medusa, who, like many women in greek mythology, was unfairly mistreated and made a villain. I adored seeing her growing up as she navigates the complicated relationship with her sisters, her family and eventually the mostly unexpected character you think she could he ever be friends with.
I was honestly really surprised at how much I liked it. The character voice is poignant and strong. The narration pulled me in immediately and made me forget everything that surrounded me. It’s been hard for me to just sit and read lately, but I devoured this book in one day, so I think this is very telling.
I don’t do these comparison often, so when I do, it’s because I’m certain, but the beautiful, compelling, lyrical writing style reminded me of Madeline Miller’s one. I know, it’s a bold comparison.

What I didn’t like:

Certain parts felt unbalanced in length, the ending drags a bit and feels slower in comparison of the other parts. I wish some parts were longer.

Final thoughts:

Overall, this is a fantastic retelling that I would strongly recommend, especially if you’ve been looking for a Medusa story, this one will not disappoint you.

Don’t judge a book by its cover……….. except this one. This one lives up to that gorgeous masterpiece.

Medusa is a bold, unflinching reimagining of the Greek myth. It’s a fresh take on the story—an investigation into how monsters are made. Hewlitt’s Medusa is strikingly layered—she’s snarky and sympathetic, fierce and kind. Cinnamon roll Perseus and their friendship was everything, and Medusa’s relationship with her sisters is layered and refreshing. For a book that deals with some dark topics, there are sweet moments woven in about family and friendship, all the more beautiful in contrast. I ached reading this plausible tale of a girl transformed to a monster.

Trigger warnings for sexual assault (non-graphic), death, and a wee bit too much feminist commentary.

Thank you Rosie Hewlett and the publisher for an e-arc of this book!

-Ande

I love a good mythology retelling. Medusa fit the bill for me. I feel connected to her story on many levels but especially because as a curly-haired strong-willed woman - I was called Medusa in high school (a compliment as far as I am concerned). Reading something from Medusa’s point of view was moving and compelling. I cannot wait to buy this for my colleague who teaches all the myths!
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook!

Medusa by Rosie Hewlett
I give this book 4.5 stars

Determined to expose the centuries of lies surrounding her name, Medusa gives unparalleled insight into her cursed life, from her earliest memories and abandonment at birth, right through to her tragic and untimely death at the hands of the hero Perseus. Through telling her story, Medusa finally reveals the lost truth behind antiquity’s most infamous monster.

I’m fascinated with Greek mythology and was excited to get a chance to read this beautiful and engaging book.The author brings Medusa to life as she tells us her story,in a way that cleverly drew me in. l loved it and my only criticism was ……..l so wanted the book to be a longer read!
Highly recommended debut novel,will definitely be looking out for more.
With thanks to Netgalley,Rosie Hewlett and Silverwood Books LTD for my chance to read and review this book.

This isva brilliantly written fast paced story of the Greek mythology but in Medusa's perspective.

I really enjoyed this book specially the writing style used to narrate the story. You can see alot of research and effort gone into this project and her characters reflect that. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend.

This is the story of Medusa, told from her perspective and in her voice, which is not quite the story that is familiar to most of us, of a monster who turned men to stone. Similar to stories such as "Maleficent", it takes a monster from established fiction and tells the story from her point of view, to see what made her a monster, and makes you reassess just how "monstrous" she is.

The premise was really good and I was expecting to really enjoy it and in fairness, I did - but I just wish the whole thing had gone into more depth. The book was just too short - there was so much material to work with and I would have loved it if the side characters had been fleshed out more and I had got more of a sense of the background of the ancient world - it felt extremely modern, even in the way the characters talked, and that didn't really work for me.

But parts of it really moved me and I loved Hermes as a character, so despite the book's flaws I'm still giving it four stars.

In a Nutshell: This book shows you why you must give a chance to indie writers too. There are some real gems in the indie world.

There must be hardly anyone who hasn't heard of Medusa. One of the most feared of the Greek monsters, this gorgon sister is known for her gaze that could turn any man into stone. But here we have a book that reveals the other side of the picture. Why and how did Medusa become Medusa? Is she really a monster or a victim of her circumstances?

In terms of its writing, this book is outstanding. The way the narrative progresses fluidly from one scene to the next leaves you hooked. At a mere 200+ pages, this book can easily be completed within a couple of hours.

You don't need to know the classics in order to grasp the story. The author gives enough of a background into all the key characters to make sure that your reading flow isn't affected. There are some wonderful quotes in the book, with one of my favourites being "The most powerful revelations are the ones we discover for ourselves." I want to especially mention the feminist angle that the story takes at times. This could have been further developed upon but it was still a laudable attempt, especially considering how Greek myths glamorise only male heroes.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and enjoyable read and I loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at Medusa. Definitely recommended to everyone looking for a quick break in between intense books.

4.5 stars from me, rounding up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and SilverWood Books Ltd for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who knows even a little bit about Greek mythology is familiar with Medusa, the snake haired gorgon. But what do you really know about Medusa? This is her story told in her own voice. Did you know she was once a beautiful young girl, a mortal born to lesser gods? Did you know that her transformation into hideous gorgon complete with hissing snakes was the result of a god's vengeance? Told to the reader in a very conversational tone this is Medusa's own story from birth to death. A must read for anyone interested in this time period. Highly recommend.
#Medusa#NetGalley

This was a heartbreaking look into the story of Medusa…. From the first chapter in you can not help but feel for her and all that she went through. The parallels between her story and what women today deal with were very apparent. I thought the narrated style of story telling would not read very well, but I actually really enjoyed it.

This book has a very nice flow to it. The way she broke off from the story to address the readers felt very natural. Every emotion Medusa felt came blaring out from the pages to smack me in the face. The last few chapters had me in tears knowing it had to end a certain way but not wanting it to.

I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to purchasing my own copy.

I had heard great things about this novel, and I was absolutely thrilled to receive a copy in exchange for review…which is why I am very sorry to say how disappointed I am.

I must admit I am coming at this from the perspective of a Classicist, and therefore I do fully acknowledge I have a specialist understanding of ancient mythology, culture, etc.. I just feel that this novel barely scratched the surface. There is so much potential in the story of Medusa, and though Hewlett does certainly offer her a voice, Medusa feels like a cliche high-schooler, and her sisters (the gorgons) reduced to a couple of gossipy teenagers.

I was very surprised that Hewlett followed the ‘cruel Athena’ plot line too, as this was the perfect opportunity to explore the more feminist connotations of Athena’s actions…I also felt the narrative lacked world-building, which again was a shame as the ancient world gives us so many rich resources to work from…

Hewlett does have a skill at creating gripping opening lines, and I think the opening was my favourite part of the novel. I’m so sorry to have to leave a negative review, but I hope Hewlett might be able to expand upon this work and go into more depth…there is more potential here for sure…

Thank you very much to SilverWood Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. Despite my thoughts, it was still a privilege.

This is a page-turning read with perhaps something of a young adult tone, but I found the story of Medusa’s life, from her youth as a beautiful priestess in Athena’s temple, through her being cursed and her meeting Perseus, engrossing. I really enjoy seeing the gods depicted on the page, and this interpretation of Medusa’s experience made her a sympathetic and well-rounded character.

Medusa by Rosie Hewlett
Publication Date: April 30, 2021
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Description
“You know her name, you know her story. Just not the right one. 
Within the depths of the Underworld the formidable snake-haired Gorgon has finally had enough. Tired of being eternally and unjustly brandished a villain, Medusa has found the courage to face her tragic past and speak out. Determined to expose the centuries of lies surrounding her name, Medusa gives unparalleled insight into her cursed life, from her earliest memories and abandonment at birth, right through to her tragic and untimely death at the hands of the hero Perseus. Through telling her story, Medusa finally reveals the lost truth behind antiquity's most infamous monster. Medusa breathes new life into an ancient story and echoes the battle that women throughout millennia have continued to wage - the opportunity to simply be heard.”

Thank you to @netgalley @silverwood_books for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
From the description (on photo) and being marketed as historical fiction, I expected the narrative and dialogues to have been more “mature” and characters more fully developed. Instead, the characters felt like they came from High School Musical, instead of Greek mythology. This took away from what was an interesting premise of a feminist retelling of Medusa. I was excited about this, Medusa has always interested me. So, this was a let down. The reader/narrator “dialogue” did not work for me and there were assumptions made about the reader that fell flat. It did get many positive reviews. Just know the language/narrative may not be what you expect.