Medusa: A beautiful and profound retelling of Medusa’s story

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Stheno and Euryale became immortal winged beings, while Medusa, the mortal sister, with hair replaced by snakes, received a further cruel warning. I’m sure this format is one that would entice younger readers to read (whether mythology or other stories).

Initially, she suggests, it was the pictures that enthralled her – emphatic illustrations by Elisabeth Frink that exude dark solidity. I'm a huge fan of greek mythology and Medusa has always been one of my favourites but this beautiful retelling is unlike nothing I have read of her before. With a look that would turn men to stone, Medusa has earned her place in Greek mythology as the ruthless Gorgon, with a head of snakes.

Jessie Burton’s retelling of the Medusa story turns several of the recognised elements about Medusa on its head. This book also shows a strong sisterhood between Stheno, Euyale and Medusa and I absolutely loved the relationship between Stheno and Medusa especially. And this format is also one which I feel would reignite the wonder of more mature readers to revisit these wonderful tales.

It seems as though Jessie Burton entangles us like writhing serpents in this captivating retelling of the classic myth. But when the charmed and beautiful Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is blown apart, unleashing desire, love.

A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill. National Book Awards Book of the Year, and Waterstones Book of the Year 2014, and sold more than 1 million copies in its first year. And I spoke in hope: it felt of utmost importance that this boy should stay on my island – for a day, a week, a month. When Athena finds out what has happened, she blames Medusa for desecrating her temple and sanctuary.

Her fate designated at the hands of a God and Goddess feels cruel, how through no fault of her own has she been so horribly damned. Then again, what if this is a beautiful youth who offers word of outside, news, stories of the gods and then of his mother and Athena… Furthermore, what if she trusts him so that she might risk everything?So, when Poseidon takes an interest in Medusa while she fishes in her little skiff, there is very little she can do to repel his unwanted advances. Adding some canny twists and turns, Burton uses Medusa’s story to ruminate on themes ranging from the trauma of sexual assault and the toxicity of gender stereotyping to beauty ideals and female autonomy. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others.

Throughout, its seriousness is balanced by colloquial quips (“Nothing to look at here…”, Medusa knows she should tell Perseus) and sly humour.It was a lot of really flowery, really beautiful “Tumblr-esque” language - both in conversations and in Medusa’s internal dialogue - and it felt so forced and unrealistic.