A completely original retelling of a character who is finally getting the voice she deserves.
TW: mention of sexual assault
With a head full of snakes and a look that will literally turn people into stone, Medusa is one of the most interesting figures in Greek mythology. So often included in mythology-inspired fiction as the evil hideous villain, she rarely gets the chance to shine as the protagonist. Nor does she seem like she’d make a very relatable or endearing protagonist at first glance, thanks to said slithering snakes protruding from her scalp. But Jessie Burton has taken this terror-inspiring character and retold her well-known story from her point of view, exploring her feelings, her motives, and her past. And it’s brilliant.
Medusa sees its titular character living on an isolated island with her two sisters, the winged Gorgons Euryale and Stheno. The hero Perseus arrives on the island, as per tradition. But this version deviates from the usual account when Medusa and Perseus begin talking, finding solace in one another after both suffering different forms of injustice. Behind the cover of her cave, Medusa manages to keep her identity secret from Perseus, opening up to him about the tragic way in which she came to be a monster.
A feminist retelling of Medusa’s story, this work delves into many themes that are sadly still relevant to modern women, just as they were relevant in Ancient Greece. As Medusa regales the story of her life to Perseus, Burton explores the impact of slut-shaming, sexual assault, and harassment. She also analyses the way in which women are targeted just for existing, with Medusa becoming low-hanging fruit for multiple vengeful gods through absolutely no fault of her own.
Unlike the Medusa that we frequently see in mythology, this Medusa is deep. There is so much more to her than just the snakes on her head, from her resentment of the gods to the loneliness she feels living in isolation. Though she exists in a different world and time from ours, it would be easy for young readers to see themselves within her, connecting to her feelings about the universal experience of being a woman. Each of Medusa’s snakes has her own name and personality too, a clever addition which helps convince readers to empathise with the infamous character rather than reject her.
Not plot-heavy, the story is quick to get through. The events unfold as such that there is no way to predict what will happen when Perseus finally discovers Medusa’s identity, making it nearly painful to stop reading once the story has started.
The prose itself is rich and poetic, while the dialogue is more reminiscent of contemporary writing than fantasy or mythology. This felt a little odd at first given the context, but ultimately works in the story’s favour in that it makes Medusa’s plight even more relatable to a modern YA audience.
Of course, the most marvellous aspect of all might be Olivia Lomenech Gill’s artwork. Harrowing and beautiful at once, the illustrations use earthy colours and capture the dark atmosphere of Medusa’s world.
Perfect for mythology fans or those who love dark YA, this is a completely original telling of a character who is finally getting the voice that she deserved all along.
Reviewed by Vanessa Elle
Instagram: @vanessaellewrites
Distributed by: Bloomsbury
Released: November 2021
RRP: $22.99
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.
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