Natalie Haynes

A Novel

Stone Blind

“So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.”

Medusa is the sole mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her Gorgon sisters, she begins to realize that she is the only one who experiences change, the only one who can be hurt. And her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon commits an unforgivable act in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can – and Medusa is changed forever. Writhing snakes replace her hair, and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. The power cannot be controlled: Medusa can look at nothing without destroying it. She is condemned to a life of shadows and darkness.

Until Perseus embarks upon a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

In “Stone Blind”, Natalie Haynes – the Women’s Prize-shortlisted author of A Thousand Ships – brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before . . .

Ellie 

“Those are places other people call my home. But they don't feel like it to me. I want to be somewhere else, but I don't know where. And I want to know when I reach it that I have come home.”

“So you're homesick for somewhere you've never been?" “Yes. “

Katheryn

Ask yourself if it might be a little arrogant to compare yourself with us. Mortals have a word for this kind of arrogance: the kind that makes a person think she can compare herself favorably to a goddess. The word is hubris. And while I am all in favor of using precision to describe something, might I suggest that you would be better off not doing something so dangerous so often that you need a specific word for it? Perhaps develop yourself control rather than your vocabulary. 

Valle Fernandez

This, she knew, was love. And she felt it even though she did not want it. 

Rina

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.

Holly 

And the monster? Who is she? She is what happens when someone cannot be saved. 

This particular monster is assaulted, abused and vilified. And yet, as the story is always told, she is the one you should fear. She is the monster. 

I see you. I see all those who men call monsters. 

And I see the men who call them that. Call themselves heroes, of course.

 I only see them for an instant. Then they're gone. 

But it's enough. Enough to know that the hero isn't the one who's kind or brave or loyal. Sometimes - not always, but sometimes - he is monstrous.

sharkie

If what you are saying is true, why didn't she open her eyes?

But there is no battle to be had between an armed man and a sleeping girl. Don't forget.

"Why would anyone love a monster?" asked Perseus.

"Who are you to decide who is worthy of love?" said Hermes.

"And a terrible curse," said Sthenno. "Because she cannot look on any living creature without destroying it."

"It's my eyes that hurt," said her sister. "I can't open them."

"It doesn't matter what they think of me." "Then why do you want to protect them?"

And as she teased her fingers through his damp, salty hair and agreed with his ever wish, she wondered if she should warn the Gorgons of the danger their sister was in.

Jemima Scott

“Men call you monsters because they don't understand you”

This was so much funnier than expected, whilst also being so full of detail. I loved seeing the different angles that all led towards the crux of Medusa’s story. A really well done mythology retelling!

Beth Bartholomew

"Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories.”—Telegraph (UK) The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar returns with a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman. They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster. The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know. When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene’s temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge—on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon’s actions, Medusa is forever transformed. Writhing snakes replace her hair and her gaze will turn any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude. Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . . In Stone Blind, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes turns our understanding of this legendary myth on its head, bringing empathy and nuance to one of the earliest stories in which a woman—injured by a powerful man—is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault. Delving into the origins of this mythic tale, Haynes revitalizes and reconstructs Medusa’s story with her passion and fierce wit, offering a timely retelling of this classic myth that speaks to us today.

storygraph was certain this was the perfect book for me based on my user profile...happy to report it was completely right. 

I really enjoyed this retelling of medusa's myth. It was a truly refreshing take on a common myth, one full of empathy not only for medusa but a range of the characters. The writing was excellent and captivating, each character had their own unique voice. I found myself re-evaluating each character and re-examining how theyve been judged before. What makes someone a monster? Is perseus really brave if at every step he had help from the gods ? Why was Athene like that!? How could she be so cruel ? This and many more questions crossed my mind as I read, I was truly engaged. I think this retelling stands out because it paints an entire picture of each of the characters involved in the myth, even minor players, which leads to a deeper understand and richer storyline overall. 

A really wonderful read, I will take storygraph suggestions a little more seriously now. 

Marz 

storygraph was certain this was the perfect book for me based on my user profile...happy to report it was completely right. 

I really enjoyed this retelling of medusa's myth. It was a truly refreshing take on a common myth, one full of empathy not only for medusa but a range of the characters. The writing was excellent and captivating, each character had their own unique voice. I found myself re-evaluating each character and re-examining how theyve been judged before. What makes someone a monster? Is perseus really brave if at every step he had help from the gods ? Why was Athene like that!? How could she be so cruel ? This and many more questions crossed my mind as I read, I was truly engaged. I think this retelling stands out because it paints an entire picture of each of the characters involved in the myth, even minor players, which leads to a deeper understand and richer storyline overall. 

A really wonderful read, I will take storygraph suggestions a little more seriously now. 

Carmen Malca

lala

This is the fourth mythological retelling by Haynes that I read this year. I'm almost through all of Haynes' bibliography. In short: I still prefer A Thousand Ships than Stone Blind. I don't question Haynes' research about the mythological source as after I read Pandora's Jar I know how much research is done by Haynes' through each book. I always appreciate that Haynes always use female perspective in all of her books, even though the main character in the chapter might not always be female. I like how Haynes portrayed Medusa and how she imagine the 'mortality' that Medusa have-- differentiating her from the other Gorgons. I enjoy how she doesn't oversell Perseus, and is truthful about his becoming. Haynes also used more goddesses perspective in this book which is interesting to read. I don't know if it's because I already know how the story will play out, but I honestly find Stone Blind to be a bit hefty to read. One of the things I don't really like is the story began with the prophecy for Acrisius but did not give a thorough ending to the prophecy. I would recommend this to myths enthusiast, but for casual readers who are interested in myths stories, I think Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint are the better options.

Nina

Not her best work. I like how she portrays Perseus as a jerk idiot. It gets a bit rambley in some bits, though, but an enjoyable tale non the less.

Natalie Haynes – the Women’s Prize-shortlisted author of A Thousand Ships – brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before . . . 'So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.’ Medusa is the only mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her sisters, she quickly realizes that she is the only one who gets older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know. When the sea god, Poseidon, commits an unforgivable act in her sacred temple the goddess, Athene, takes her revenge on an innocent - and Medusa’s life is changed forever. Appalled by her own reflection: snakes have replaced her hair and she realises that her gaze can now turn any living creature to stone. Medusa can no longer look upon anyone she loves without destroying them,, and so condemns herself to a life lived in shadow and solitude to limit her murderous rage. That is, until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . . This is the story of how a young woman became a monster. And how she was never really a monster at all. PRAISE FOR NATALIE HAYNES: ‘With her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism... her thoughtful portraits will linger with you long after the book is finished’ Madeline Miller ‘Haynes combines a wide-ranging knowledge of the original myths with a gift for compelling narrative’ The Times ‘Natalie Haynes is both a witty and an erudite guide. She wears her extensive learning lightly and deftly drags the Classics into the modern world’ Kate Atkinson ‘Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories’ Telegraph ‘Haynes is the nation’s greatest muse’ Adam Rutherford

Medusa's Story

Teresa Bonifácio

** spoiler alert **
           Loved it, as I do love all Natalie’s books. 
Although we might think this story is only about Medusa and only from her perspective, her story and what led to her end, is told by everyone involved. It’s heartbreaking to find that Medusa didn’t actually did anything to deserve her fate. And the pain her sisters go through? It broke my heart. 
It’s a great book and if you can, hear it!

Julie Rubens

Great book! Beautifully written and I especially loved the Gorgoneion parts because they were so well written!

Katie Guo

I put off reading Stone Blind because earlier in the year I read (and devoured and loved) The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood. I was afraid this book wouldn't be as good, and as they have pretty similar plots and purposes, to retell and reframe the myth of Perseus and Medusa, I was afraid they'd be too much alike. 

But they are very different books, and they are both incredible in their own right. It's also hard to compare the two. Certainly, Stone Blind isn't as bleak and dismal, and it relies heavily on the mythological aspect of Perseus' and Medusa's story. There are myths and gods and creatures and divine influences instead of straight up history, like The Shadow of Perseus. Very different takes, but both retell the myth and stories beautifully. 

I did give Heywood's book 5 stars, and here's why I didn't quite do so for Stone Blind. (Minor spoilers below)

I didn't quite like how Perseus is so heavily vilified throughout this book when Athene isn't. We are told by various narrators to despise and dislike him, but Athene's actions aren't presented as bad as his. Especially when the Gorgon head is stuck with her for centuries. I would have liked some forgiveness or acceptance to be included. I don't like the negativity surrounding Perseus when Athene and even Poseidon are rightfully deserving as well; at least Poseidon gets some flack. And I didn't even despise Perseus; I kind of liked him at some points. 

Clever and witty, the story was well weaved together, as artfully as if Athene herself had woven this tale. I loved all the different little stories and myths and how they all came together and were tied together.  

I am not quite sure who or what Panopeia is supposed to be. The sea? Sea spirits? It wasn't explained or revealed later like everything else, like the other narrators and POVs were. It wasn't clear, and I wish it was. 

Normally, I don't really like when books are dialogue heavy, but it works so well here. That's a testament to Haynes' writing; she is talented and gifted and a good writer. The dialogue served its purpose and then some.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I finally read it. It has strong characters and many engaging stories. I loved all the different narrators and POVs too. 

Amanda

I put off reading Stone Blind because earlier in the year I read (and devoured and loved) The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood. I was afraid this book wouldn't be as good, and as they have pretty similar plots and purposes, to retell and reframe the myth of Perseus and Medusa, I was afraid they'd be too much alike. 

But they are very different books, and they are both incredible in their own right. It's also hard to compare the two. Certainly, Stone Blind isn't as bleak and dismal, and it relies heavily on the mythological aspect of Perseus' and Medusa's story. There are myths and gods and creatures and divine influences instead of straight up history, like The Shadow of Perseus. Very different takes, but both retell the myth and stories beautifully. 

I did give Heywood's book 5 stars, and here's why I didn't quite do so for Stone Blind. (Minor spoilers below)

I didn't quite like how Perseus is so heavily vilified throughout this book when Athene isn't. We are told by various narrators to despise and dislike him, but Athene's actions aren't presented as bad as his. Especially when the Gorgon head is stuck with her for centuries. I would have liked some forgiveness or acceptance to be included. I don't like the negativity surrounding Perseus when Athene and even Poseidon are rightfully deserving as well; at least Poseidon gets some flack. And I didn't even despise Perseus; I kind of liked him at some points. 

Clever and witty, the story was well weaved together, as artfully as if Athene herself had woven this tale. I loved all the different little stories and myths and how they all came together and were tied together.  

I am not quite sure who or what Panopeia is supposed to be. The sea? Sea spirits? It wasn't explained or revealed later like everything else, like the other narrators and POVs were. It wasn't clear, and I wish it was. 

Normally, I don't really like when books are dialogue heavy, but it works so well here. That's a testament to Haynes' writing; she is talented and gifted and a good writer. The dialogue served its purpose and then some.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I finally read it. It has strong characters and many engaging stories. I loved all the different narrators and POVs too. 

An absorbing, touching Greek myth retelling, with sparkling dialogue with that is humorous in places. Makes you reflect on who, or what, constitutes a monster.

Laura Dobie

I vastly prefer Natalie Haynes's non-fiction writing over her fiction writing, her fiction tends to come off a little boring and too meandering to keep the reader focused. However, I would still say "Stone Blind" is one of the better mythology retellings I have read. She certainly knows her subject matter and knows how to pick the more interesting versions of the myths which she then weaves in with a lot of humour but also a lot of sympathy for her female characters.

In this context, it is even more of a shame that the book does not focus on Medusa herself but on the larger myth involving her. In the little time the reader spends with Medusa and her Gorgon sisters, Haynes manages to create a connection between the reader and characters, she manages to make us care about them enough that Medusa's death is impactful. One can only imagine how fantastic the book would have been if it had taken that even further by adding to the myth of Medusa and rounding out her character.

I vastly prefer Natalie Haynes's non-fiction writing over her fiction writing, her fiction tends to come off a little boring and too meandering to keep the reader focused. However, I would still say "Stone Blind" is one of the better mythology retellings I have read. She certainly knows her subject matter and knows how to pick the more interesting versions of the myths which she then weaves in with a lot of humour but also a lot of sympathy for her female characters.

In this context, it is even more of a shame that the book does not focus on Medusa herself but on the larger myth involving her. In the little time the reader spends with Medusa and her Gorgon sisters, Haynes manages to create a connection between the reader and characters, she manages to make us care about them enough that Medusa's death is impactful. One can only imagine how fantastic the book would have been if it had taken that even further by adding to the myth of Medusa and rounding out her character.

Beautiful, tragic and humorous. Excellent narration by the author in the audiobook. 

Erik Wallace

This one bummed me out a bit, and made me hate a whole lot of characters from Greek mythology that I had no qualms with before

Alyssa deRaad

Cindy McKee

I did the audio version of this and highly recommend it. Natalie Haynes narrated her work beautifully. The story of Medusa gives us a ringside view of the pettiness of the Gods, the bumbling of “heroes “, and the humanity of the ones you’d call “monsters” without missing a beat. There were moments of genuine love and tenderness, moments I laughed out loud, and times I was angry on behalf of characters mistreatment. It’s a well rounded retelling of a myth you only think you know well. Loved it! 
** Thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.**

The story is so familiar and yet completely gripping. The writing is funny and clever and filled with dry wit and sarcasm which makes you love the monsters and hate the hero's.

Sian Hutchinson 

Head of the perseus is a loser fan club, taking members in daily. 

Sydney Butler

"Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories."--Telegraph (UK) The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar returns with a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman. They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster. The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know. When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene's temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge--on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon's actions, Medusa is forever transformed. Writhing snakes replace her hair and her gaze will turn any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude. Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . . In Stone Blind, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes turns our understanding of this legendary myth on its head, bringing empathy and nuance to one of the earliest stories in which a woman--injured by a powerful man--is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault. Delving into the origins of this mythic tale, Haynes revitalizes and reconstructs Medusa's story with her passion and fierce wit, offering a timely retelling of this classic myth that speaks to us today.

I did the audio version of this and highly recommend it. Natalie Haynes narrated her work beautifully. The story of Medusa gives us a ringside view of the pettiness of the Gods, the bumbling of “heroes “, and the humanity of the ones you’d call “monsters” without missing a beat. There were moments of genuine love and tenderness, moments I laughed out loud, and times I was angry on behalf of characters mistreatment. It’s a well rounded retelling of a myth you only think you know well. Loved it! 

 Thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I did the audio version of this and highly recommend it. Natalie Haynes narrated her work beautifully. The story of Medusa gives us a ringside view of the pettiness of the Gods, the bumbling of “heroes “, and the humanity of the ones you’d call “monsters” without missing a beat. There were moments of genuine love and tenderness, moments I laughed out loud, and times I was angry on behalf of characters mistreatment. It’s a well rounded retelling of a myth you only think you know well. Loved it! 

 Thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Lizeth Esmeralda

This may have cured my reading slump! Similar to her previous work "A Thousand Ships", "Stone Blind" is quick-witted and full of feminine rage. Employing the use of a large cast, all orbit around the quiet player, Medusa. The gods are insufferable and Perseus ignites almost Theseus levels of disgust in me. 

Shannon Cooper

A compelling take on the lore of Medusa, witty, funny at times, and feminist at heart. I don't often read mythological retellings, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. 

Trigger warning: rape (not described in detail, but the word and act comes up extremely often)

Kate B-L

A compelling take on the lore of Medusa, witty, funny at times, and feminist at heart. I don't often read mythological retellings, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. 

Trigger warning: rape (not described in detail, but the word and act comes up extremely often)

I was surprised about all the different views we get while reading this book. You don't just get the view of Medusa, you get the view of every figure that somehow has something to do with her story.

Nonetheless, I really loved the way in which this book is written and can absolutely recommend it to any fellow lovers of greek mythology.

I was surprised about all the different views we get while reading this book. You don't just get the view of Medusa, you get the view of every figure that somehow has something to do with her story.

Nonetheless, I really loved the way in which this book is written and can absolutely recommend it to any fellow lovers of greek mythology.

I really enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written and it was interesting to read Medusa’s story from multiple points of view. The men and gods in the story come off badly. Portrayed as egotistical, self-absorbed and fool hardy. Medusa was characterised as being a sympathetic character but I would have enjoyed more of her story. Especially her relationship and life with her sisters.

Stone Blind A Novel

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