— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Stone Blind
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Natalie Haynes
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mythology
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 15th September 2022
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5

TW: Rape, sexual assault, murder

”Men will tell you that Gorgons are monsters, but men are fools. They cannot comprehend any beauty beyond what they can see. And what they see is a tiny part of what there is.”

This feminist retelling of Medusa shows us that Medusa, the infamous Gorgon, was never the evil that typical mythology portrays her as. In fact, she was more girl than monster. Also, what is a monster, anyway? Something that people deem as ‘scary’ because they don’t understand the way something looks?

I can’t get over how gut-wrenchingly heart-breaking this was. This story has the ability to touch a soul and it did exactly that with mine, and squeezed.

I enjoyed the writing immensely, there were points of view that I didn’t expect, there was lots of humour, and literally all of it was incredibly engaging. I’ve had Natalie Haynes books on my wish list for years and now I’m desperate to read more.

This is just one of those books that make you feel so strongly and really see how much devastation and destruction was caused at the whims of the Gods. I wish I could stab Poseidon with his own trident, I wish I could chop off Perseus’ head. Most of all, I wish women didn’t have to relate to this story so strongly.

🧚🏻‍♀️

Medusa is dead, I am dead. But I'm still the best narrator for this part of the story, because I was there for all of it, and because I am not a lying deceitful hateful vicious murderer. [loc. 2567]
This novel is subtitled 'Medusa's Story', but at first it seems like a complex interweaving of the stories of wronged women from Greek mythology: Zeus' first wife Metis; Andromeda, staked out as a sacrifice to Poseidon; Danaë imprisoned in the dark; Hera and Amphitrite, wronged wives. (Hera, 'a goddess with an almost limitless supply of spite, could barely keep up with the number of women, goddesses, nymphs and mewling infants she needed to persecute'. [loc. 77]) Yet it all circles back to Medusa's story, and the implacable hatred of Athene -- 'vengeful and cruel, always blaming women for what men do to them' [loc. 1209] -- whose curse transforms Medusa after Poseidon rapes her in Athene's temple. Does Athene make Medusa into a monster, though? Is Medusa truly the hideous, unlovable horror sought by Perseus? The great hero is an unlikeable and incompetent teenager in this account, constantly whining to Athene and Hermes about the appalling hardships of his quest for a Gorgon's head. Athene does not have much time for him, and in this one thing I am wholly in agreement with her.

It's not all grim. The love between mortal Medusa and her immortal Gorgon sisters, Euryale and Sthenno, is deep and heartfelt: it's the opposite of monstrosity, the epithet levelled at the Gorgons by both Poseidon and Perseus. Hermes, one of the few male characters who behaves decently in the pages of Stone Blind, asks of Perseus 'who are you to decide who is a monster?'. And Medusa tells Poseidon that beauty is more than skin-deep: she sees it in the loving care of her sisters, and she submits to Poseidon to save a (more) mortal girl.

Haynes plays with voices here: it's not only Medusa's story, but a multitude of voices making a mosaic of misogyny, abuse, privilege and trickery. There are chapters told from choruses of entities: a bickering slither of snakes, an olive grove, the Hespereides. There are so many wronged women, their voices distinct but their experiences alike. I'd love to hear this read aloud, as a dramatic performance... One voice is absent: Medusa's mother Ceto, who dwells in the depths of the ocean. But Haynes weaves her into the story, in a way that is both tragic and elegant.

So many connections I hadn't recognised: so many commonalities of experience. Stone Blind isn't always an easy read, but it is a rewarding one: I am reminded that I have several of Haynes' other mythology-based novels, and am encouraged to read them sooner rather than later.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy. UK publication date is 15 SEP 2022, and there's a virtual launch at the British Library.

"There is one question that devours me still. Why didn’t I close my eyes?"

This is one of the best myth retellings I've ever read. It's like a tapestry, intricately weaving multiple voices together, giving a story I thought I knew well a fresh perspective. However, it should be noted that Medusa's is not the main perspective! This book really centers on Athene and the other women that suffered at the hands of Perseus.

Stone Blind is beautifully descriptive with fully-realized characters. I would recommend this book for those that already have some knowledge of the Greek myths, or those that are happy to do some research along the way.

I love retellings and one of my favourite myths to read retellings of is Medusa and so I loved this book. It is well written with a fantastic storyline and well developed characters that felt like they were jumping off the page and playing out the story right in front of my eyes. I loved it.

Wow… I’ve enjoyed Natalie Haynes’ previous novels but this was easily her best work yet IMO. I loved the different narrators and their differing perspectives on a tale I thought I knew well. My personal favourite was the persona given to the gorgoniad. ‘Her’ pithy disparaging comments regarding Perseus made me laugh out loud. The authors wonderful descriptions wove all the narrative strands together brilliantly. I couldn’t put it down and was so sad when it ended. Such a brilliant read. Ty netgalley my book of the year so far.

Medusa was thrice wronged: raped by Neptune, very unfairly punished for it by Athena, and then known throughout history as the snake-headed, stone-turning monster. It’s about time someone put the story straight.

Such is the premise of this book, that Medusa will finally get a fair say. And while there is a strong thread of that in the book, it’s also a bit on the meandering side, I thought. We get Perseus’s back story – told from the Gorgon’s point of view, so he’s no hero but a snivelling bratty teenager. We hear Andromeda’s tale, too, she who was chained to a rock to be sacrificed to the Kraken. And a whole pantheon of Greek gods, each more childish and petulant than the last.

Yes, Medusa has every reason and right to hate this lot, but boy does it make for a bit of a slog reading about all of these highly unpleasant characters.

Which feels so unfair on the book, which is written superbly, cutting back and forth between some omniscient narrator, and alternating sections done from varying points of view with excellently unique voices – one is cutting back and forth between Medusa’s snakes, for instance, or choruses of minor goddesses having their gossipy say-so. I liked these the best, the sections that were more ‘human’ in the telling, whether it was self-righteous indignation that so-and-so did that, or the hot fury of Medusa on her own fate.

I did wonder if we were supposed to already be more engrossed with Greek myth than some of my sketchy (okay, 90% based on Clash of the Titans!) recollections. Or, it’s just that with so much crammed in, there’s little to get too much focus. Medusa’s own tale is the exception, as is right: she’s very humanised and a tragic figure, as deserved. The gods were d*cks, and that is spelled out extremely clearly. But some of the in-between is a little high-level, overview kind of retelling of the bits I knew best, albeit it with a bitter, dismissive tone.

Overall, then: I did like this book, but it remained a little distant and chill for me. I never quite felt as engrossed in the story as I wanted, and there was a lot more satellite story than I was expecting. Yes, it ties all of these myths together well, but… I dunno, maybe I just expected more Gorgon when really there isn’t more story to tell – or, any more way to give her more ownership of her own story. It’s a tragedy, and that can be hard to read.

I wish it had grabbed me just a little more, but I don’t regret giving this a go.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the retelling of Medusa’s story. This book is well written, captivating and entertaining. Despite the themes of violence and sexual assault this is told in a tongue in cheek manner that captures the humour of Greek myths excellently.
It is told from many povs and I feel that at some points we loose track of Medusa and it becomes a more generalised Greek retelling but this does not necessarily make it any less enjoyable.
I’m keen to read more by Natalie Haynes and continue to work my way through other Greek retellings!

I didn't find this quite as outstanding as 'A Thousand Ships' (which is utterly marvellous) but the ATS has a specific narrative to be working with/against. I did enjoy it hugely, and will definitely reread. Recommend.

Given I was a big fan of Natalie Haynes' previous book, A Thousand Ships and given I'm partial to reads like Elektra, Circe, The Silence of the Girls and other recent retellings of Greek myths from a feminist (or at least female) perspective, this book was exactly what I needed. As with those other titles, this was never going to be a "happy" read. The mortals, demi-gods and other gods are all at the mercy of those more powerful gods, who tend to be fickle and often downright unlikeable. Readers should go into this knowing there are strong themes of violence against women and sexual assault.

Whist most art focuses on Perseus having defeated Medusa and holding her head up in conquest, the statue I like most is Bernini's bust of Medusa, which depicts her in "life", albeit in marble so already ironically made of stone herself. The reason I like that piece so much is because it's so rare that SHE is the focus. On that point, my one criticism here is that I would have liked the focus of this story to be solely on Medusa, rather than swinging us to other female characters. Keep the gaze trained as it were, directly on Medusa and allow us to look at her alone.

I would highly recommend this to fans of this genre and if you haven't read it already, I would start with the author's previous work, which I have recommended to many people.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this reworking of the Medusa story which begins with Medusa as a baby, abandoned and found by two Gorgon sisters. It challenges our (and Perseus'!) notion of what makes a monster - is it a word we use for something simply different from us?

Medusa emerges as a loving and sympathetic young woman; meanwhile the petulant and childish gods squabble amongst themselves, play with human lives whilst despising and being puzzled by them. Zeus asserts himself as King of the gods, whilst being also rather cowed by his wife Hera and several other myths are woven into the story - like the birth of Aphrodite. A sardonic narrator fills in gaps for us and the whole thing is very funny, whilst also being quite sad. Definitely recommended.

I was beyond excited for this book, and surely I could see Natalie Haynes' trademark wit all over the pages. However, it didn't quite meet the extremely high bar she has set herself previously.

Stone Blind was supposed to be the story of how a young woman became a monster and how she was never really a monster at all. It should have been Medusa’s story, but, in a lot of ways, it wasn't really hers. I normally enjoy books with multiple POVS, but in this case I felt robbed.

Nevertheless, I felt most compelled when reading about Medusa and her sisters. Stheno and Euryale are beautifully portrayed, and I adored every scene they were in. Quite remarkably, they're the first characters to introduce the concept of beauty and monstrosity as learned behavior - a recurring theme throughout the book which never tires to show how ideas of what is monstrous are culturally conditioned, predicated on fear of the unknown.
Sadly, they're also the only ones to prove that it can be unlearned too.

This is another wonderful book from the fantastic Natalie Haynes about the lives and loves of the Greek Gods. Although this one is primarily about Medusa's story there is plenty about many other Gods and Demi-Gods and the mortal who become entangled in their shenanigans. An engrossing and highly entertaining soap opera of a read with some brilliant wry witty moments, particularly when Hera is involved. Highly recommended.

This is another Medusa retelling that I needed. I read this book so quickly!!
I felt so much for Medusa and her sisters and Medusas horrible murder by Perseus. Natalie Haynes has done it again where the heroes and typical villains are turned on it’s head.
Medusas story always makes me feel so much- the absolute horror and pain I feel for Medusa and my sheer anger and frustration at Athene and Perseus.

Noooo! I so wanted to love this.

The issue for me is that this is not Medusa’s story. This is the story OF Medusa, reincarnated in modern language with some imaginative embellishments and only a smidge more sympathy for the titular character than the original Greek myth affords.

This title is mentioned in the same breath as any antecedent in the recent retelling renaissance, most notably Circe. But what Miller achieved was exactly what this failed to do: Circe did not fall into the tradition that it was clearly aiming to subvert. What I mean by this is that Miller committed entirely to Circe’s perspective; it was HER story, and hers only. Medusa appears in Stone Blind as something as a minor character, and in the brief interludes we are privy to her perspective, she doesn’t have much agency or complexity. I’d go so far as to say that the main character, really, was Athene – who, if you know how the myth goes, isn’t a character you want to spend much time with.

I have a great deal of respect for what this set out to do, in terms of reinstating another the female figure of myth who has been (effectively) demonised for literally millennia now. Sadly, it just did not deliver.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Stone Blind' by Natalie Haynes.

Natalie Haynes is a talent. She didn't shy away from the original myths and her writing style shines through in this whole story. 'Stone Blind' is a perfect Mythology books, up there with the greats - Pat Barker and Stephen Fry.

Stone Blind forces us to stare into Medusa’s eyes and confront the stories that we have been told through a different lens, at points making us wish to be ‘monsters’.

Natalie Haynes’ novel Stone Blind is a disturbingly devastating read with a suspense that never seems to end. Haynes’ most recent novel adds to their growing reputation for writing feministic mythological novels. This time however, Stone Blind focuses on one of the most well known ‘monsters’ throughout history - the story of Medusa. We all know of Medusa, but her origin story is one that is often unknown or forgotten. Stone Blind is the origin story of Medusa and follows her on her devastating journey to become the snake haired gorgon. The book doesn’t just stop there though, it also dives into what happens after Medusa becomes a ‘monster’.

This feminist retelling has left me feeling saddened, which is in itself a result of Haynes’ incredible talent. The truth is, if you’re looking to pick up a copy of Stone Blind as a bit of fun, light reading, this isn’t the book for you. It is a difficult read with traumatic scenes that insinuate rape and sexual assault. I have to say, each page had me feeling more and more frustrated. I went into this knowing Medusa’s origin story, so I did expect an emotional read. Haynes cleverly forges a connection between our modern world and the mythological one - making this an even more daunting read. The differences between our world and that of myth may seem large, but Stone Blind focuses on the similarities between the two by diverting our gaze to Medusa.

However, the novel does not only focus on Medusa. Medusa and all the other women featured in the novel are living in an escapable world where they either fear the men in their lives, or live under their shadows. While the actions of the men around them go unpunished, the women in the novel bear the brutal and barbaric consequences for the men and their decisions. The switching of perspectives throughout the novel were difficult for me to come to terms with at first. I was very much set on reading a novel about Medusa, and I must admit that if I were to give one criticism of Stone Blind, it is that I wish it focused more on Medusa’s story. That being said, I do understand that Haynes was forming a solidarity amongst women by showing that although all the women in the story were born into very different lives, even goddesses found themselves losing to sexism and inner misogyny.

I can’t write this review without mentioning Stheno and Euryale, Medusa’s immortal gorgon sisters. The love between the sisters is beautiful and brings some temporary relief from the dark themes embedded in the story. The narrator’s sarcastic humour is also a relief from the darkness at times, and the revealing of the narrator’s identity toward the end made me appreciate the storytelling even more. Haynes’ including a domestic setting between Medusa and her sisters intensifies the novel with the impending fate of Medusa. Their island life may appear solitary due to the fear that the humans have of them, but this only brings comfort to the sisters and strengthens their love for one another. There is an unexpected safety that comes with being deemed a ‘monster’. Something that Haynes loves to explore thoroughly in the novel.

Overall, Haynes does well to portray the anguish and frustration that women feel. But also the constant fear and lack of feeling safe. Although Stone Blind is a gut wrenching and fearful read, it is a thought provoking and necessary one that highlights the seemingly impossible escape that women face daily and have done forever. However, as mentioned before, I would have liked more of a focus on Medusa. That being said, Haynes does well to bring perspective to Medusa’s famous tale, by perceiving Perseus as a useless and scared fool, and also by highlighting Athene’s own struggle with the patriarchy and her conditioning to abide by it.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Ariadne and Elektra by Jennifer Saint, and also for fans of Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls and The Women of Troy. However, I think most fans of Greek mythological retellings will want to get their hands on this novel.

Once again Natalie Haynes has retold Greek mythology in a way that feels new and makes for a compelling novel. 'Stone Blind' is the story of snake-haired Medusa, and of the myths that link to her own. It is told from multiple viewpoints, made clear by chapter headings. Medusa is given a very sympathetic treatment in this version and the hero Perseus is portrayed as anything but. Having read the novel it's hard to think of the characters in any way other than the one Haynes has chosen, so convincing and readable is her style.

As I know very little about the Greek myths apart from little snippets - I had heard of Medusa and knew about the snake hair and stone-turning gaze, but nothing more than that - I could read with an open mind and didn't know how the story would conclude. I guess readers who are very familiar with mythology might have a different reaction to the retelling, so I can only review from the perspective of someone without that prior knowledge.

The cast of characters is well written and covers a good range. Medusa and are sisters and likeable and sympathetic, Perseus is contemptible, and the omnipotent narrator is often funny. Maybe the most interesting portrayal is the goddess Athene. Generally gods in these myths seem just like humans with extra powers, but Athene really does come across as a different being. She is also unintentionally very funny in a lot of what she says and the way she reacts to situations, even if it is in a faintly horrifying way. She's not a likeable character, but I really enjoyed all her appearances on the page.

I have probably enjoyed this most of all Haynes novels so far (and I did enjoy the others too). It feels fresher and more original - if you can say that of a book based on stories that have been around for two thousand years and more. It's well written, easy to read, and bowls along at a good pace from start to finish. I think whatever your views on the original mythology, there is a good chance most readers would enjoy this version.

I have thoughts… many, many thoughts and they’re not all good I’m afraid. But as any good teacher knows, when you need to deliver bad news you do it in a sh*t sandwich. So here we go…

I really loved the small intermit moments that showed how Medusa came to be. How her sisters went against everything they were to raise a mortal child. It was a story I wanted to read more of. Unfortunately that story did not continue.

There was so much promise here and I think that’s why I’m THIS level of disappointed (imagine I’m indicating to a large amount with my hands here). There were too many stories trying to be told, too many voices, too many things that had nothing to do with Medusa. I understand you needed some background work but keeping to Medusa, Athene and Perseus would have been enough. It was confused… like the author had dropped 4 manuscripts on the floor and kinda pieces them back together without making sure it was im the right order. I can’t even tell you the plot because I’m not sure 50% of the book had one.

Saying all that, I need the other slice of bread to this sandwich so I guess it was also very well written (if not overly complicated and confused). But yes, a collection of well written mini stories not about Medusa.

Overall, I think the hype and the blurb did this book a disservice. It wasn’t what I was promised, and it’s not Medusa’s story. But that’s just my opinion. Maybe knowing this going into the book you’ll be able yo enjoy it more than I did.

Medusa is a Gorgon, but unlike her two immortal sisters Sthenno and Euryale, she's a mere mortal girl. During a visit to Athena's temple, she's raped by the sea god Poseidon. The goddess takes her revenge afterwards by cursing Medusa with snake hair like her sisters and a deadly stare. Anyone who looks at her turns to stone. Meanwhile, Perseus, son of the supreme god Zeus and the mortal Danae, must go on a quest to save his mother from a forced marriage. His mission? The head of a Gorgon.

There's no one who can tell more enthusiastically about Greek myths than Nathalie Haynes in the press, podcasts or her non fiction books. This enthusiasm can also be found in her novels. Stone blind is an absolute gem!

Stone blind tells Medusa,'s story, but it isn't the story you're familiar with. In this book everything is turned upside down. Gorgons are not monsters with snake heads and Perseus is not the hero of the day, but a stupid boy who can achieve nothing without help from the Gods.

And those Gods, perhaps even more than Medusa, play the leading role. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hermes, Athena... They watch over the humans and play with them. There's a lot of humour in the chapters of the Gods, but also quite a bit of drama. They are always fighting each other or cursing mortals.

Just as in 'A thousand ships', the chapters are told alternately from many perspectives. Medusa, Athena, Perseus and Andromeda pass by frequently, but Haynes chooses so many different characters who all contribute to the story in their own right. This is storytelling in its purest form. I did like the chapters of Medusa and her sisters the most and disliked Perseus off course . I hadn't heard about Cassiope or her daughter Andromeda before, so this was a new story to me. It all falls nicely into place at the end of the book.

No matter how good the books of Madeline Miller, Pat Barker or Jennifer Saint, Nathalie Haynes is the true queen of Greek myth retellings. I hope there will be another book soon and in the meantime I must make time for 'the children of Jocasta'.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Stone Blind.

I really enjoy Natalie Haynes writing and in Stone Blind her normally wry humour carries a real edge - and no wonder, any tale involving the Gods wreaking their boredom, revenge, lust, lustful revenge on mere mortals is bound to raise an eyebrow or two. Their vanity, carelessness with mortal life and bodies, doesn’t really always reflect well upon them and so is the case here.

Haynes succeeds in bringing to life the tragedy of the creation of Medusa, for some slight for which she’s not even to blame. The story of her life until she is blinded is touching and you feel the tragedy of her being blinded, so much more. Medusa - and her sisters - are made real.

The main men are often weak, petty and pretty useless, step forward Zeus (anything for a quiet life), Hermes (so annoying) and Perseus….erm, mortal son of Zeus, loves his mum, pretty useless hero becomes a mortal monster. Even the worst of the women look good next to these guys.

At times, I found the story unfolded less than smoothly and I wasn’t always sure how it was tying together but tie together it does. There is a certain amount of back and forth in time which adds to the confusion but actually, given that a century feels like an hour to the Gods, it’s really not worth fretting over, go with the flow and it all comes good in the end. Well, I say good…it’s not exactly a story with a happy ending for many of the characters and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that Medusa in particular, doesn’t have the happiest of endings.

Unless you are really up on your mythology, it’s not always easy to tell when Haynes blends ‘fact’ with fiction. Yes, of course the Gods are not a fact in that sense but there are collected stories that largely make up a known narrative and as always Haynes makes use of the fact that nothing should get in the way of a good story. She did this with good effect in The Children of Jocasta, and makes good use of it here too.

This is a great story told from a different point of view to that which we are used to - instead of Medusa being a monster, she is revealed as far from it. We hear her side of herstory, instead of the men who toy with her or hunt her. And it’s a great story, even after she is hunted.

If you have any interest in Greek mythology, this is a must read.