Quality Rating: Three Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars

I was very, very excited for this book, and it was good! It was good, I promise. But it was not amazing in my opinion and it was not what I was hoping for.

I felt like everyone was written with a teenager's voice (or, rather, with the token 'YA' voice coined for not actually being like how anyone anywhere talks or thinks). And, hey, don't get me wrong; the Greek Olympians were absolutely little children having tantrums, but the power dynamics so intrinsic to Greek mythology between immortals and mortals don't come across when all the other characters sound exactly the same too.

There was also effort put into humanising the Greek gods at times - in some twisted way of explaining why they treated mortals so appallingly - and those fragments were such slivers of brilliance. But the fact that these moments existed made it all the more of a shame that the dynamics outside of the Greek gods' bickering couldn't be vivid, they just felt like a shallow interpretation of how we imagine teenagers might act up.

The story itself isn't very subtle - and it doesn't have to be. It's a story about a girl (well, several actually) being raped because someone else was bored, or had a point to prove to someone outside of the situation, and the ripples that has on other people's vengeance and pride. There's a lot of value in telling this story from that angle (it, shockingly, hasn't really be done quite like this before).

But, in a lot of ways, it's not really Medusa's story (ironically). Her narrative (of which she has very little agency in) acts as the glue holding together a whole host of other myths in this novel (something that in itself is always awesome to see, and well sewn together by Haynes here), but she's honestly in very little of it. Again, does it matter? Well, yes and no. On the one hand, I think it is symbolically and thematically well-realised in the message it's putting forward. But from a narrative perspective, it's pretty unsatisfying. And hey, I guess that's sort of the point - it's not fair. None of these myths are 'fair' to their characters (well, the female ones anyway). But does it make a well-rounded story? Should it? I don't have the answers, but I do know I felt a little let down.

I love Haynes' writing and I love her teaching - I think Pandora's Jar should be required reading on Classics courses, not just because it would mean students had to actually think about the humanity of the women in these myths, but also because Haynes is a fantastically realised academic and storyteller. Her voice (as becomes very obvious if you've listen to her speak, whether on audiobooks, podcasts, events etc) is so distinct, and very present here. I'm just not 100% sure it works for me in novelisations.

I was offered a chance to read and review Stone Blind as I had previously read and enjoyed Natalie Haynes previous novel “A Thousand Ships”.

In Stone Blind we are brought into the world of Ancient Greece. A world full of capricious gods who are dangerous in their disregard of mortals. Whilst it’s a light-hearted approach to Ancient Greece, with an almost soap opera antics in Mount Olympus; this is a thoughtful adaptation of Medusa and one that has certainly opened my eyes to a different re-telling of Greek Mythology and the how unjustly mythology treated Medusa.

I love the story of Medusa and Perseus – of the fearless warrior beheading the monster Medusa and using her severed head as a weapon. The one thing Stone Blind does is leave this opinion with a bad taste in my mouth. Not once did I ever stop to think about how Medusa what she was., or what her back story was. Did she have family? What did she ever do to deserve such an horrific death? And where were her choices? Legend would have us believe that Perseus pursued and killed her, and we should all be glad that the world has been rid of such a monster.

But was Medusa the monster? One of the big questions of this novel is who really is the monster? Poseidon who got off scot-free after committing an awful crime. Athena for her victim blaming. Or Perseus for his blind commitment to a challenge with no thought or consideration of why? The one thing we are left with is that Medusa is the victim and whilst she ought to have been treated with compassion and sympathy; instead, she was hunted and killed.

This is a masterful retelling, and I am, quite frankly, in love with this book. Medusa's story is a fascinating one, but it's also terribly tragic. Nothing about it is fair, and Haynes never shies away from what happened. She's the victim and then punished for it, and it's terribly unjust but that's mythology. It's not pretty, it's not fair. And you know what's coming, you know what her fate will be but I was unable to tear my eyes from it. This book manages to be brutal and sometimes really funny at the same time. Not funny in a 'we're in a comedy' way, but funny in a very dry way, in a 'I cannot believe I have to spell this out to you', or funny in how the gods behave, which felt perfect. Haynes portrays the gods as these inmortal creatures, easily offended who demand retribution but who forget and jump from interest quite quickly, and their interactions were amazing to read. They were so funny to read, and they were terrible at the same time.

The only complain I had had when I read A Thousand Ships is gone in this one. Despite the large amount of figures we follow, Haynes connects each story until they come together in a way that was amazing to read. Some are given more depth than others, obviously, but I liked how it was done here more as it felt more tightly connected and how we were progressing with each piece of a puzzle.

Perseus' treatment is... Well, I don't want to spoil it, but it does offer a different perspective that was interesting to read. He's not a hero I have read by himself a lot of, and i will probably read later about how he was 'classically' portrayed to appreciate even more how he was shown here, but it was very entertaining to read.

Overall, this is a great retelling of Medusa's fate that does not shy itself from the brutal story, that doesn't try to sugarcoat it, but it's told in such a great way that it flies by. I had barely realized how much I had read when I found I was nearly done with the book.

I have struggled with how best to rate Stone Blind. On one hand I will happily follow Natalie's siren's call no matter the mythological topic. She can do no wrong in my book and I love her for it. With Natalie, you know you are in for a fun, cheeky retelling of mythology and that is part of her charm. On the other hand I found this story of Medusa from baby to decapitated 'monster' nearly unbearable. I truly felt for Medusa in a gut-wrenching way and felt anguish the moment Perseus stepped foot in her cave. How could one mortal girl be so badly abused by the Gods then allowed to be a prized trophy for her suffering? Myths are all about injustice, and this is no exception, but I really felt the sting and it troubled me.

I absolutely bought in to the Perseus of this book as a fumbling, bumbling boy hardly capable of survival much less being a 'hero'. He didn't deserve all he claimed to have succeeded as it wasn't his doing but Medusa's head. Makes me grumble just thinking about it!

Excellent writing, as ever, with plenty of cheek and sarcasm dripping from the page. It would have been a joy had the treatment of poor Medusa not hurt so much.

Returning to the world of Greek myth, Natalie Haynes turns her eye to the story of Medusa, beginning from birth to her decapitation at the hands of the hero Perseus. Unlike the tale we all know, Haynes’ intervention upends classical notions of heroes, monsters, and those who can and deserve love. Stone Blind is Medusa’s story in a new light, but it’s also a story of the Graiai, the Nereids, Cassiope, Andromeda, and so many other female figures. Haynes’ newest takes the best of her writing style and mythological expertise displayed in A Thousand Ships – the detailed prose, the rotating storylines – and conjures an entirely new and fresh account of these characters, shifting the narratives of traditionally cast villains or damsels into more vivid, active, and wholly rounded individuals.

In Stone Blind, Haynes gets very comfortable in her portrayals of Greek gods and goddesses. I loved the fickleness of the gods, their deadpan humour and their love or indifference towards humans and mortality. There were so many creative and distinctive points of view which were balanced so effortlessly until they gradually begin to converge chaotically and perfectly. I did want more of Medusa’s story, but I also didn’t want any less of anyone else’s. Basically, I wish this book never ended, and cannot wait to read whatever else the author churns out after this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this beautifully captivating read!

I’d been searching NetGalley for Stone Blind so was really chuffed to get a direct offer of a proof from the Pan Macmillan team. I loved a Thousand Ships and Children of Jocasta so was really keen to find out how Medusa’s story would be told. I think I particularly relish Natalie Haynes’s books just that bit more than, say, Pat Barker’s because in addition to plonking us in an immersive world they’re clever *and* funny.
Usually portrayed as an out and out hero, here Perseus doesn’t get much good press. Unfair? Perhaps, but there are centuries of bias the other way to be redressed – despite Medusa’s head doing the killing, all the credit has been given to Perseus. And if there’s a king or a god who takes himself too seriously, he can expect to be needled for it. The one good man is the kind and simple Dictys.
I loved the hair snakes as a bickering chorus. The stichomythic dialogue – particularly the scene where Hermes and Athene discuss how Perseus might kill a Gorgon (they’re not exactly encouraging) – is ripe for adaptation. Oh, and somebody please commission an Athene and Zeus sitcom.
My only criticism is that it was over far too quickly. Can the Medea book be more of an Anna Kareninesque length please Natalie?

3.5/5 ⭐

The merciless, gut-wrenching fate that the Gorgon maiden Medusa meets is one of the most miserable ones Greek mythology has to offer, and Haynes' mega-solid grasp on the scholarship and skillfully practiced storytelling makes good on making that message sharp and manifest.

The multiple perspectives on show in Stone Blind (and given that it features so many, maybe stamping this book as 'Medusa's Story' is maybe a bit of a misnomer, because it is prescribed a far-reaching treatment here) mesh and marry with flawless pacing and purposeful sequentialism, presenting a portrait of peevingly arrogant mortal men and pettily petulant gods as they perpetually malign pretty much any woman they stumble across.

The plot is pulled along by monstrous acts of murder and manipulation, precipitating in a mournful yet spectacular finale that'll please anyone on the tail of a fresh addition to the trend of feminist tweaks to the tradition of Hellenic myth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan, Mantle for kindly passing on this ARC! 💫

Natalie Haynes delivers another incredible book. With her compelling writing style and multiple perspectives intertwined with Greek mythology, Stone Blind tells the story of Medusa and how, sometimes, the real monster is not always the one who looks monstrous. Because appearances can be deceiving.

“Why would anyone love a monster?” asked Perseus.
“Who are you to decide who is worthy of love?”

I loved Medusa's POV and her relationship with her sisters. She was more human than anyone else and you can see how much she loved them. I wish there were more chapters about her, but this story was about Athena, Perseus the hero (is he really?) and other characters too.

I recommend this book to any Greek mythology's fan.

I was offered this book as an ARC via NetGalley. Personally, I would say that this is a far more light-hearted take on the myth of Medusa. It was fascinating to see a retelling from her perspective. On one hand many of the Gods came across as childish and petty however when you consider their actions in various parts of the established/traditional mythology this is a probably not an unfair take. I enjoyed this fun interpretation.

Having been captivated by "A Thousand Ships" (thanks again for that ARC!), I HAD to read "Stone Blind". Natalie Haynes is absolutely incredible at retelling Greek stories from female perspectives. Her work is well-researched and bold, I'll read everything she writes! Thanks for the ARC!

Stone Blind is a novel that tells the story of Medusa, from childhood to the aftermath of her beheading at the hands of a hero. With her two immortal Gorgon sisters, Medusa grows up feeling different, feeling weaker and more fragile than them. When Medusa is assaulted by Poseidon in a temple dedicated to Athene, Medusa bears the consequences, changed into someone more dangerous and more damaged, with the ability to turn any living creature to stone. But Medusa cannot live quietly, as a young son of Zeus on a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon and aided by the gods will soon cross her path.

Haynes combines a multiplicity of voices to tell this story, weaving together the different narratives and perspectives of mortals and gods to question not only the image of Medusa as a monster, but roles of everyone in the story and the dangers of rage and revenge when directed at the wrong people. The short sections from various perspectives and with different tones work well, getting across the various strands that cause the narrative tension, and there's a particular perspective which talks to the reader in a knowing way, highlighting the retelling aspect and the fact that readers may already know a lot of the story. It took a bit of time to get into and I found the pace a bit slow for me near the start, but as it went on it started to come together.

There's a lot of Greek mythology retellings out there now (some also by Haynes) and this feels similar to others, with a knowing edge and focusing on the injustice of who is seen as a "monster" and who is seen as a "hero". Fans of the genre will probably like this one as well, which looks not only at Medusa's treatment, but also at women fighting against being forced to marry someone they don't want to and the impact of immortals acting based on whim or petty jealousy. Personally, I think I'm perhaps not so engaged with the feminist retellings of Greek mythology now there's been so many, so it took me longer to get into this one, but I liked the use of voice and perspective.

I didn’t think Natalie Haynes could write anything better than A Thousand Ships but Stone Blind is absolutely spectacular. I love the humanity and believability given to the gods, particularly Athene, and the detailed weaving of the story to involve many different players in the narrative. You absolutely side with Medusa and her sisters and Perseus becomes the villain in a way that is convincing and compelling. A real treat.