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Medousa

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Pub Date 1 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 2 Oct 2021

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Description

"Medousa" is a work of myth-based fantasy set in ancient Greece. It is a re-telling of the myth of Medousa from her own point of view, focusing on Medousa's struggles to find love and acceptance, and to retain the best parts of her humanity while living under a Goddess' curse. The book traces her life, from her childhood as a slave in Sparta, to her death at the hands of Perseus on a remote island at the end of the world. This book tells the story of who Medousa was, rather than the monster that she has been portrayed to be throughout written history.

She was one of the most loathsome monsters of the ancient world. Feared by man, shunned by the Gods, with a visage so hideous, all living creatures who looked upon her turned to stone. Multitudes were slain at her hand until the hero Perseus finally killed her. Today, if we remember Medousa at all, we envision her as that monster. Very few remember what led to Medousa's transformation from one of the world's most beautiful women to one of the world's most terrifying monsters. Even fewer remember the girl she once was, or the woman she strove to be, even under Athena's curse.

Who was Medousa? How did she become the creature so feared and reviled by mortals? Who was she before the curse of the Goddess fell upon her?

Most people only remembered Ovid's tale of a vain young woman who was so proud of her beauty, and especially of her golden hair, that Athena herself punished her by making her a Gorgon. But in fact, Ovid does note that Medousa, a priestess of Athena, was raped by Poseidon, in Athena's temple.

Medousa's story is an unjust and troubling tale that remains relevant today.

How could Medousa herself be punished for being the victim of a violent crime because it somehow defiled Athena's temple? Why didn't Athena defend her priestess? Why didn't she bring complaint against Poseidon? Why did Medousa have to be destroyed because of what was done to her? Hadn't her rape been enough to suffer through, but then she had to be driven from mortal lands, a monster, living in lonely desolation?

A woman is sexually assaulted, and she bears the stigma, while her attacker is protected. The woman is expected to take responsibility for protecting herself, but we do not teach our boys not to rape. Men with vast sexual experience, consensual and not, are respected, but women who even express interest in sex, are shamed.

This issue transcends mythical stories, as it bares relevancy in the world today. In America, a girl is raped, but the boy goes free because "he just made a mistake" or "we don't want to ruin his entire life over one moment of poor judgement." In central and south Asia, a woman is raped, and then she herself is punished for bringing "dishonor" upon her family, while her attackers go free.

We have pity for the men, unwilling to see their lives ruined by their own actions; but we have none for their victims, the women whose lives have in fact been destroyed by them. And when those women dare cry out for justice, they are met with incredulity, and threats of murder and rape.

Every time a woman is attacked, she must carry the blame and guilt. Every time a woman is cast out of her community for being who and what she is, through no fault of her own, Medousa's story continues.
This book tells that story, and it allows us to truly understand Medousa the victim, not the monster.

"Medousa" is a work of myth-based fantasy set in ancient Greece. It is a re-telling of the myth of Medousa from her own point of view, focusing on Medousa's struggles to find love and acceptance, and...


Advance Praise

"Medousa is a refreshing and inspired look at an ancient figure, as told from her own point of view. The ancient myths are respectfully maintained, however the story takes a deeper look at what made Medousa into the creature we call ""Monster"". She isn't quite who we thought she was. She's complex and intelligent, and worthy of profound respect."

""I liked how Butchin put a new spin on well-known myths, including not only the story of Medousa but also touching on the fall of Troy, Heracles, and the war between Titans and Olympians.""

""Medousa takes a monster and makes her human in a literary story that draws on classical mythology and weaves an engaging prose narrative. Recommended for those of us who revel in the myths and appreciate a new approach."""

"Medousa is a refreshing and inspired look at an ancient figure, as told from her own point of view. The ancient myths are respectfully maintained, however the story takes a deeper look at what made...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781736323809
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 616

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Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

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I’m literally obsessed with Greek mythology. Every time I find a book related to the topic I have to get my hands on it and read it. Which is also what happened in this case.
The book follows the life of Medusa, it is described in great depth as it is also a very long book (probably the longest I’ve found on the argument) so it was rather impossible to be disappointed by it.
Also the writing was just sooooo good.
Highly recommended.

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My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Epikoros Publishing for an advanced copy to this novel.

Greek Mythology is a rich area for storytellers, filled with characters and situations that can be drawn on, adapted and even made richer and more complete with the addition of historical facts and modern sensibilities. Michael F. Butchin has done so in his novel Medousa, taking the character known for his stony gaze as the Gorgon and given life, love and a chance to share her story.

Medousa born of noble blood, enslaved, cursed by the god Athena who finds her end on an island at the end of the world, from a hero who is acclaimed for his great actions. A simple sounding story, but the story of Medousa is shaped by trauma and actions outside of her control. Nothing she does seems to ever go right, from helping innocents beset by foul creatures, who turn out to be offspring of friendly Titans. All the stages of her life things happen to her, that leave her more damaged, but she continues to strive on.

The book is well written, with a few different styles telling the story of Medousa at different stages. The characters are historical or mythological, and exist clearly in this world. The book is a lot to read, to maybe it would be best to read in stages. Sometimes the life she is given does wear at the reader, but the story is never dull, and never without something to think about. Not fun in the conventional sense, but a very compelling read.

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I love mythology, folklore etc and so this book was a m-ust for me and it was such a fresh and refreshing read. I loved that it didnt just recycle the old myths again by retelling them but, however, retold them in a fresh way by telling the reader about Medusas life and how she got where she was, like most people in this wprld she was a victim of circumstance and injustice and was villified for that and this retelling explains her plight perfectly. I also loved the other aspects of Greek Mythology told in this book such as Troy again told with a fresh view. I loved it

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I love Greek mythology and I always get excited to read something based on it. This book was a really well done read, the characters were great and I loved this take on Medousa.

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I love Mythology and I was very intrigued by Medusa's back story. This was a fantastic book, though possibly a little bit long . I would still recommend
Thank you for this eARC

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Great and Amazing Tale...................
Medousa by Michael F. Butchin is indeed an amazing tale of Medousa, a Gorgon. The author while narrating the story has portrayed a world where women are considered low in comparison to men. We have always read Greek Historical Fiction stories from a Hero's point of view. But, this book narrates the story from Medousa's point of view.

I loved the plot and there are some astonishing facts and anachronisms. But, they make the story more and more interesting. Medousa is not only a Greek Tale but an account of women of valor and strength. I would surely give the book 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

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I have always been fascinated by the tale of Medusa. I even wrote a short story with her as one of the main antagonists. So, when I came across this book, I couldn't wait to read it. I'm glad I wasn't disappointed.

First, this book is long. So long in fact that I found myself wanting to just skim everything to get to the end. Except, I already knew the ending so why the rush? It made me realize that this novel is not for those who are impatient, and yes, there could be some sections that could be left out, but at the same time I really found myself enjoying how Medusa was brought up and what she learned as she grew into a young and beautiful woman. What made this novel even more interesting was the fact that just like Homer and The Iliad, the gods are present in all their selfish and omnipotent glory. By the end I really hated Athena. Hated a few of the other gods and goddesses too.

Anyway, if you have always been a fan of Greek mythology, then I highly recommend this novel. And, thanks to Netgalley for the read.

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