Throughout the retelling, Medusa’s view of herself, others in her life and her awareness of how the rest of the world perceives her opens up opportunities for conversations to be had. The promises we make…do we actually know what we are promising at the time? Open ended promises are not always good ones. Athena’s use of privilege and power are selectively abusive. Her sisters’ allyship is strong but not all other women are her ally. Medusa’s feelings of how Poseidon should have behaved towards her (as opposed to abusing his power) and how she was not to blame are deeply felt.

There are strong themes of consent and respect. There are strong themes of self worth, perception of how you are viewed by others and how this affects your behaviours and attitudes, how the opinions (real or perceived) of others impact on you and ultimately change you. Similarly, their views on Athena differ too. Perseus holds Poseidon in high regard, Medusa hates him with a vengeance. It is told from the view point of Medusa and because of this, the themes come across much more emotionally and with impact.Īs Medusa and Perseus gradually tell each other their reasons for being on this far-flung island, we can see that perception of themselves and others is a very personal thing. Jessie Burton has retold this myth superbly, bring it bang up to date with the feminist slant it very much needed. The stunning illustrations throughout the book, by Olivia Lomenech Gill really being the island world of Medusa alive. But when a charming boy called Perseus arrives on the island, lost as he sails the seas on a quest to save his mother, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love and betrayal… Dimensions: 8.40in - 7.00in - 1.00in - 1.Exiled, with her sisters, to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair.With stunning, full-color illustrations and a first person narrative illuminating the fierce, vulnerable, determined girl behind the myth, this astonishing retelling is perfect for readers of Circe, and brings the story of Medusa to life for a new generation. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal. If I told you that I'd killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair.

'A powerfully feminist, elegiac, and original twist on this old story.' -Madeline Miller, bestselling author of The Song of Achilles A dazzling, lyrical YA retelling of Greek myth, from Jessie Burton, internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse.

Medusa by jessie burton