I am a sucker for Greek Mythologies and retellings. But even if you are unfamiliar, you will likely recognize the petrifying gaze of the Gorgon named Medusa, who notoriously turns her victims into stone. Burton has taken a more feminist approach to her story, one that challenges the narrative of a vengeful monster-- but a victim of violence.

So profoundly and beautifully heartwrenching. A story filled with so much angst and powerful feminist messages. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

This title took me a really (with emphasis) long time to get through. The content of the story was interesting, and the voices of the characters were okay, but the formatting really did a number on my ability to focus through the book. I know that is sometimes to be expected for a Galley copy, but my goodness I just kept having to read it in spurts, and even then it was very difficult to focus and understand what was going on.

That being said, I do love a good Medusa retelling, and when I was able to focus the story did leave me entertained.

Thank you to Bloomsbury USA and Jessie Burton for an advance to read an eGalley copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

“I had thought he was my one true hope; but turned out my one true hope was me.”

A feminist retelling of Medusa, where she realizes that the most important relationship she will ever have is the one she has with herself. 👏🏻 This one speaks to all women - Medusa is she, she is us. Gorgeous writing, compelling storyline, and for certain a book I’ll pass down to my daughter one day.

“I will tell you to look into me, and you will see. Look, Medusa, girl and Gorgon. You. Me.” 🖤

I have never read a Medusa retelling like this. It was almost like reading Medusa's very own diary, and it was very interesting! I loved Jessie Burton's take on this myth!

Medusa by Jessie Burton had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

“you could cut off my head, and still not end the myth.”

This is divine! It is Jessie Burton’s inspirational story written for all women. We are given not only redemption for both Medusa herself, but for every woman living in today’s world, and throughout the ages.

This is not the Medusa story you know. Although, as one can assume with any story in which there is a hero with a sword and a gaze of snakes that turns men into stone, it does not end well for everyone.

Easily read over an evening, afternoon, or weekend this short novel packs a punch in its retelling of the stories for both Perseus and Medusa. My absolute favourite parts are when Medusa talks to her snakes (who have names!). As a snake owner I can tell you I talk to them all the time! I talk to my dog and husband too, but my discourse with my big boa is different as the narrative is distinctly one sided. Burton shows us the catharsis of speaking about traumatic events, and that having a listener is often all someone needs.

This brilliantly put together story should be in the hands of every woman in the world. It is a reminder that our beauty is not there to be exploited by others, that we can break free of constraints and make our own fate, and that ultimately us ladies belong to no one but ourselves. We can leave enduring stories behind, and while the matriarchy may twist those stories to make them more favourable to the ‘hero’, there will always be someone, like Burton, who can reclaim the story for what it should be and remind us all that women are neither weak, nor property to be owned.

This is a brilliantly twisted story that reinforces women’s strength and endurance. Burton is saying, and allowing her reader to say, I am woman hear me HISS!

Basically, an extended conversation between Perseus and Medusa in novella form. The ending is different than the myth we all know, which didn't bother me too much because it was supported by the narrative and writing style. Basically, it didn't come out of nowhere.

The approach to Medusa and her Gorgon sisters was satisfactory. The flowery prose combined with casual speech was a bit jarring for me. (And I'm not one who needs 'old timey' speech, especially since it's presumably a translation from Ancient Greek anyway. An approach similar to Emily Wilson's translations, but I don't think Burton succeeds here.)

The book is a bit too self-aware and naval gazing for my tastes. It's also possible I'm burnt out of Medusa discourse after the new Percy Jackson adaptation. I also read a lot of myth retellings, so it takes a lot for me to love one, even though I'll continue to pick them up.

I love mythology retellings and this was probably my most favorite one of year so far. The story is hard but beautiful and it’s definitely worth the read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

I am a HUGE fan of Greek Mythology, and retellings are my particular weakness, especially those with a female perspective.

Medusa, is an amazingly poignant and profound retelling of Medusa's story. The story is told from a first-person perspective and gives humanity to the Medusa we have come to know as a monster. Medusa, with her signature head-of-snakes, has been exiled to an island after being unfairly punished. She lives only with her sisters, until the charming and handsome Perseus arrives and turns her world upside down. Medusa experiences desire, love, and of course, betrayal. Her story and emotions bring about a connection to the reader and elicits empathy as we look into Medusa's struggles with loneliness, autonomy, status-quo, lingering trauma from sexual assault, and toxic masculinity and gender roles. Her hunger for human connection and love hit far too close to home.

There are surprising twists on the original Medusa story. It is a haunting and powerful retelling that I just couldn't put down! Fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint will LOVE this book, as will feminists and those who enjoy retellings of Greek myths like I do. I will be recommending this book to my book club, librarian friends, and everyone!

Hauntingly beautiful, Jessie does a wonderful job showing us the innocence of Medusa and giving her so much emotion and longing. Perseus is awful and I will never like him.

THIS! I absolutely loved this retelling of Medusa. This is the story that Medusa deserves and Jessie did not let her down. I liked that the author combined elements from the classic versions and offered unique storytelling as well. It was just so. tragically beautiful that I could not put it down and I did not want it to end.

Medusa lives on an island with her two older, immortal sisters, and her dog Argentus. Transformed by Athena four years ago, she watches the ocean, and is lonely, with the many snakes, formerly her hair, keeping her company while her sisters are at sea fishing.

One day, a young man arrives on their island in a small boat, with his dog Orado. Medusa gives Perseus food, and talks to him, all the while concealing herself behind a rock wall. Medusa discovers they have things in common, but she also notes that Poseidon has been pivotal to both their young lives. In Perseus’ case, he and his mother were saved by the god, in Medusa’s…..not so much. And to add insult to rape, Athena cursed young, traumatized Medusa not long after her violent encounter with the god.

When Perseus finally reveals why he is on his journey, Medusa realizes that they both have a choice to make, and Medusa takes a chance and tells him who she is. This leads to a terrible confrontation, but is also the means for Medusa finally coming into her own and owning her situation.

Jessie Burton's lyrical language evokes powerful images, and the accompanying artwork by Olivia Lomenech, work in concert to beautifully relate the story of a traumatized Medusa finding connection with another person.

This is a powerful tale of a young woman growing past the hatred and limits placed on her by others, and a terrible rape, to find herself stronger and more centred. Burton's story is moving and beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bloomsbury USA for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Jessie Burton takes the story of Medusa and turns its mythos on its head (at least the ending). Jessie’s writing style is so lovely, and I appreciated the “soft” quality of the storytelling, especially for a story as delicate as Medusa’s. However, I felt that Medusa wasn’t as developed as I would have liked. Medusa was missing a depth of emotion, which makes sense since the story is set 4 years after the big events that lead to her snakes. I still feel it was missing some poignancy, and her growth feels rushed at the end.

With that being said, I still really loved the story! I wish it had been longer, so there could have been more room for “showing” instead of “telling” (the story could have easily been 300 pages long and I would have eaten it up). There were times when I found myself in Medusa, and her interaction with her sister Stheno hit me so hard. So many of us just want to be seen and that validation goes a long way to heal, which I feel impacted Medusa’s growth.

This was such a good short read, and I highly recommend reading it for your next read!

I love feminist Greek myth retellings and Medusa as a character has always intrigued me. I appreciate how this narrative offers a humanized portrayal of Medusa, positioning her as the heroine. If you’re a fan of Madeline Miller’s retellings, you’ll enjoy this immensely.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I love that this story humanized Medusa and made her the heroine. Much like Miller’s Circe, this book gives Medusa the voice she has always needed.

Ever since writing my Master's Thesis about "Circe" by Madeline Miller in 2021, I have been feeling a serious greek mythology retelling burnout. I think Medusa by Jessie Burton might just have fixed that!

I thoroughly enjoyed this spin on Medusa's story. I feel like her story is still largely used in a misogynistic way to portray women as monster's or "men eaters" in pop culture, so I was super glad that the story moved away from this narrative.

When I am reading greek mythology retellings I am looking for two things:

1. I need the retelling to shine a new light on the story. I don't want to be reading the third account of a story I already know.
2. The retelling needs to have a strong feminist commentary throughout.

Both of these things were more than well done in "Medusa".

A lyrical, and timeless story of Medusa. This falls along the lines of Madeline Millers works. If you were a fan of Circe, you will devour this feminist retelling. Captures your heart, and your attention right from the first chapter. My E-ARC was kind of formatted weird, that is my only complaint, and could absolutely be something maybe I did wrong?

"Medusa" by Jessie Burton, falls disappointingly short of expectations. The promise of a compelling tale about the exiled Gorgon, haunted by gods and surrounded by snakes, failed to deliver a satisfying narrative.

Despite the intriguing premise, the execution lacked the depth and engagement found in similar mythological stories. Medusa's character, meant to be a central focus, feels one-dimensional, and her journey lacks the emotional resonance that would make readers empathize with her plight. The memories of her past are inadequately explored, leaving a void in understanding the depth of her struggles.

The introduction of Perseus as a catalyst for change in Medusa's life feels forced, and the ensuing desire, love, and betrayal fail to evoke the intended emotional impact. The narrative fails to capture the essence of the myth or offer a fresh perspective on the character of Medusa.

While marketed as a book for fans of Greek mythology, "Medusa" lacks the depth and substance needed to satisfy readers who enjoyed works like "Circe" and "Ariadne." The execution of the story and character development leaves much to be desired, resulting in a disappointing read for those seeking a captivating mythological tale.