Stevie‘s review of Medusa by Jessie Burton and Olivia Lomenech Gill
Young Adult Mythological Ficton published by Bloomsbury YA 11 Jan 22
I’m always keen to read retellings of myths, legends, and fairy tales, especially ones that place a feminist slant on stories that might originally have read as misogynistic. I mostly prefer Greek mythology over the Roman versions of the same stories, in spite of studying Latin at school. I also appreciate a well-illustrated novel or novella, so this book was enticing on all counts, though I suspect it would work even better in print than it does as in electronic formats. In this version of the story, told from Medusa’s point of view rather than from that of Perseus, and using the Greek names in spite of borrowing heavily from Ovid, Medusa is the only Gorgon with snakes for hair, while her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, are the only members of the trio to have wings.
This version of the story opens with Medusa living in exile on a remote island with her sisters and her dog. While her sisters are out on their daily explorations of the local area, Medusa watches a boy come ashore with his own dog. She is fascinated by her visitors, but fears that he will either be put off by her snakes – all of which have names and distinct personalities – or else fall victim to the curse which has been placed on Medusa by the goddess Athena that harm will come to any man wholooks upon her.
When it becomes clear the boy will be staying for a while, and that he is aware the island is inhabited, since he has met Medusa’s dog, she ventures to speak to him from the other side of a rock. The two become friends, although only the boy gives away his real name, Perseus, while Medusa uses an alias. The two share food and tell their stories to each other – still separated by the rock – and it slowly becomes clear that Perseus has come deliberately to the island in search of Medusa. From this point onward, it s obvious things will not end well, especially when Medusa’s sisters challenge her about her developing feelings for Perseus.
I liked the characterisation of Medusa very much. She is naive at times and was previously a little self-centred. However, she deserves better than the fate she received. Perseus comes across as far more of a brat, and it is his unwavering belief his original plan is the only way forward that ultimately leads to everything falling apart for the pair. The illustrations were stunning too and really complemented the vivid descriptions in the prose. One I’d definitely love to be gifted as a physical book.
Grade: A
Summary:
If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next?
Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal . . . and destiny itself.
With stunning, full-color illustrations and a first person narrative illuminating the fierce, vulnerable, determined girl behind the myth, this astonishing retelling is perfect for readers of Circe, and brings the story of Medusa to life for a new generation.
Read an excerpt.
