So unusual to read a Greek mythology retelling in the 1st person but it really works.

You may think you know Medusa but this retelling is incredibly engaging and shines a different light in the 'monster' we all know.

Hewitt's writing not only engages the reader but has a great way of developing empathy.

I read this so quickly and would recommend

Medusa is a monster, or so we’ve been told. But is she really? Rosie Hewlett unravels her story and tells it from Medusa’s perspective. A retelling that questions the definition of a hero(ine) and a monster.

This novel, originally self published in 2021, fits beautifully with the other retellings of the myths that we ‘think’ we know, like The Song of Achilles, Circe and the Penelope series. I very much enjoyed it, and will now always have a soft spot for Medusa.

This was a retelling from medusa's point of view. It is so well told that you are drawn in and next thing you know you have finished the book.

Having a story being told by the main character perspective pushes for their story to be heard, especially when its the 'villians' story. Given what happens in medusa's story you can certainly feel her pain, troubles and certainly given the various treatment you could argue that if she wasn't a woman her treatment, punishments etc would have been different.

If you like greek mythology, reading about a persons thoughts and reactions, or a strong women i really recommend this book.

Also recommend Medea by Rosie Hewlett also. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.

Rosie Hewlett’s Medusa is a fierce, lyrical reimagining of one of Greek mythology’s most maligned figures. This is not the tale of a monster, but of a woman wronged by gods, betrayed by heroes, and silenced by centuries of myth. Told entirely from Medusa’s perspective, this book gives her the voice she has always deserved.

From the first page, Hewlett draws readers into Medusa’s world, painting a vivid picture of her early innocence, her abandonment, and the events that led to her transformation. With powerful prose and a striking emotional core, Medusa challenges the traditional narrative that casts her as a villain. Instead, we meet a character full of rage, sorrow and strength—a woman trying to reclaim her truth in the face of a legacy that has dehumanised her.

What makes this book stand out is its raw honesty and deep emotional resonance. Medusa’s voice is sharp and unflinching, full of grief and fury, but also moments of clarity and grace. The writing is poetic without being overdone, making this a compelling and accessible read for fans of both mythology and feminist retellings.

Hewlett masterfully reframes familiar characters and events from Greek myth, exposing the misogyny and injustice woven into so many of the ancient stories. In doing so, Medusa feels utterly relevant—a haunting reflection of the silencing and scapegoating that women have faced for centuries.

This is a book that demands to be read and shared. Empowering, heartbreaking and beautifully written, Medusa offers a bold, much-needed shift in perspective. A must-read for fans of Circe, Ariadne, or anyone who’s ever questioned the stories we've been told.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Medusa by Rosie Hewlett is a beautiful but heartbreaking retelling of Greek mythology gorgon Medusa.

Her story has been retold by so many over the years but this one is told by her herself. Born mortal we follow her from birth to her death and the horrors that she came about and how she become one with the snakes. Her story was so incredibly sad but warm when you follow alongside her relationship with her sisters and the one who takes her head Perseus. I admit i shed a few tears near the ending. Though the book is fast paced you are following the voice of Medusa who never wanted to be what she became and overall i really really enjoyed the retelling, you will feel empathy for the tragedy that was Medusa.

This is a must read and i really enjoyed it as i previously did for the authors previous work Medea and definitely look forward to reading more and would highly recommend.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publishers Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

After loving Medea by Rosie Hewlett, I was so very excited to get to read Medusa, and it didn't disappoint! Hearing the horrors that happened to Medusa in her own voice was heartwrenching. I appreciated that, while the book was very fast paced, none of the horrors were just brushed over.
I adored Medusa relationship with her sisters and was pleasantly surprised with the fledging friendship that Medusa and Perseus struck up. I am very glad that although this is a feminist retelling, it did not villify Perseus.
Overall, a wonderful retelling that did not shy away from the ugly but also did not ignore the good. I really enjoyed it and half wish that it had been slightly longer so it didn't end quite so soon!

This is a good, but short, read for people interested in the story of Medusa.

Medusa has had her story told by countless individuals over the years...in this book, Medusa gets to tell her own story. Starting from birth and the mother who gave her up because she was mortal, we follow Medusa as she grows into the snake headed woman of Greek Mythology. Medusa's voice is alive in this lovely retelling as she addresses us like we are having a cosy chat. We get to see that perhaps she wasn't the monster that Myths have made her out to be.

This is my second Rosie Hewlett, though the first book that she wrote and it shows. This is a great story but it is not as good as Medea, which was much tighter crafted. I still really enjoyed it though, even if it was a little short. I love how we also meet Athena - the goddess that made Medusa and her sisters into gorgons. Perseus is also here, portrayed as less heroic than in other stories but as far more sympathetic and affectionate towards Medusa.

Lovers of Greek Mythology will enjoy this as it adds to what we already know about Medusa. People looking to dip their toe into Mythology will find this a good place to start as it is light and very easy to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

This is the story of Medusa as it has rarely been told before. And Hewlett's explanation for why she wrote this book exemplifies why the wave of recent retellings of mythology from a feminist perspective are so very important.

Traditionally, the myth of the gorgon has reduced Medusa to a monster, bent on vengeance and hatred, instead of recognising her as a victim of the deities. Poseidon, who raped her; and Athena, who cursed her.

Ultimately, this book brings Medusa alive, introducing us to the woman she was before the monster she was forced to become. It does justice to the tragedy that was visited upon her, and the travesty of the mythical persona forced upon her. This one is well worth reading and sharing!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of Medusa
Medusa is a retelling of Medusa’s story with her as the narrator and the sole voice of her own story.
It was incredibly well-written and refreshing to read Medusa’s story narrated by her and not by popular culture, which would depict her only as a monster and not a victim.
I was already familiar with Medusa’s story, but it is always nice to read about a different approach to the story. I enjoyed the short chapters and the modern reading of the story.
I would highly recommend it.

Thank you so much to the author for contacting me and sending me a copy of Medusa to review! I love reading books to do with Greek mythology, and it's great to see that retellings are getting more popular. I knew straight away I wanted to read this because I've never read a book from Medusa's point of view before and I love her story - I definitely think her life is misunderstood and people often miss out a lot of context when discussing the myth.

Medusa is told from her point of view, and covers her entire life from birth to death and beyond. Medusa's narration allows for reflection and introspection, because she is discussing her life from the Underworld. This contrast really allows Medusa's development to shine through, and it highlights all the trauma she suffered. Rosie Hewlett builds the story around a moment of the myth not normally focused on as much. Instead of focusing on Perseus and her quest, she focuses on Medusa and why she was transformed.

I knew the story of how Medusa became a "monster", but I imagine a lot of people don't know the details so I'm glad this book discusses it. Medusa certainly does not have an easy life, and it was definitely difficult to read about all she experienced. The story is incredibly relevant because women are constantly demonised as well as blamed when they are victims of sexual assault. I was so frustrated seeing how she was treated!

I loved Medusa's characterisation. She is both strong and traumatised, and those two things do not contradict one another. I felt so much for her throughout, and I was definitely emotional at the end of the book. I loved the moments with Perseus too and he was always one of my favourite heroes to read about. I also really liked seeing how the gods were portrayed, especially Athena, although I wish we had seen more about her and her motives!

I just wish this book was longer! It was only 200 pages, so I flew through it, but I would have loved to see even more of Medusa's life, and more development in the second half of the book because I was so sucked in to the story. Sometimes I struggle with first person points of view, and occasionally the modern language did bring me out of the story, but overall I really liked the writing style and it fit the story well.

So thank you so much to Rosie for sending me a copy for review! I also study Classics at university so I was really excited. I'd definitely recommend this book, especially if you're interested in mythology retellings and character studies. Be aware of content warnings for discussion of rape, sexual assault, and murder, but nothing is graphic.