"Stone Blind" by Natalie Haynes: My Full Review, Summary & Notes

Browsing through the shelves of WH Smith on a wet Saturday afternoon, I was carrying far too many books. Like a kid in a sweet shop, I rushed around, enamoured by beautiful covers and crisp pages. My attention was being pulled from one title to the next, anxiously jotting down how much this would all cost and then trying to justify my purchases. £100 on books isn't so bad if I learn things from them, is it?

Despite my overzealous approach to literature shopping, as soon as her slithering head of golden snakes caught my eye, I knew this retelling of Medusa's story was one book that simply had to come home with me.

Main Themes: Mythology, Fantasy, Feminism.

Natalie Haynes' 'Stone Blind' is a creative retelling of the famous Greek mythology story of Medusa, offering a unique perspective. The book delves into the narratives of Medusa, Athene, Perseus, and Andromeda, intricately weaving their fates together. What truly sets this story apart is its focus on women, challenging the traditional narratives that portrayed Medusa as a monster and Perseus as a hero.

As we know, history is often told by the victors. In mythology, these victors were typically egotistical men driven by power and fame. 'Stone Blind' tackles themes of sexual abuse, abuse of power, perception of beauty, and feminine rage. It presents Natalie's version of this iconic story, which, with its modern feminist themes, might be the most truthful yet.

This delightfully dry, confrontational spin on a classic not only leaves the reader with a far different idea of who the 'monster' is compared to what was believed in tales of old, but also prompts a revaluation of what the word 'monster' even means. It's a thought-provoking read that challenges preconceived notions.

Key Points

Perseus was indeed recounted throughout history as the victor in this tale, and Medusa was reduced to the monster he valiantly slayed. He cared little for her origins, loved ones, or feelings. So, in this powerful retelling, we get all that in-depth and more.

The story unfolds on the shores of Libya, in Medusa's home. We meet her powerful, immortal gorgon sisters, who loved her deeply and raised her. We witness their devotion to her safety and their heartbreak when she is torn from their lives. Haynes' intricate portrayal of Medusa's humanity is a poignant reminder of the compassion stripped from her when she was reduced to a monstrosity.

Haynes skilfully intertwines modern feminist themes with ancient mythology, drawing striking parallels between these legendary women's experiences and the challenges women face in contemporary society. Those who may have only heard this story from the perspective of Perseus, the hero and monster slayer, are directly confronted with the fact that there are always two sides to every story, fostering a sense of open-mindedness and empathy in the reader.

‘I’ve wanted to write about Medusa for ages. I wrote a chapter for her in Pandora’s Jar and when I got to the end of it, having told a story of a monster who isn’t a monster – she is a monstered woman – I was so angry and hurt for her that I felt I owed her a novel. We always treat her as a threat . . . But it just seemed to me that we entirely overlook her context; she isn’t a lone threat to anybody, she is a sister of three sisters, they lament for her when she is killed. She is not unloved. She is very much loved. I demand justice for her.’ - Natalie Haynes

What I Loved

After hundreds of years of hearing this story only from the tongues of men, Natalie has finally given Medusa back her voice. Though the tale always bore her name, her voice was seldom included. Now, Medusa herself encourages the reader to consider who the real monster of her story is. I admire how Haynes went straight to the deep end and left it all out on the table by narrating a large portion of the tale from the point of view of The Gorgoneion - Medusa's snake-ridden severed head. I absolutely respect Haynes for choosing this jaw-dropping, no-holes-barred perspective.

Haynes' approach to stirring feminine rage in her readers through character exploration is a clever technique that showcases her understanding of her feminist audience. Through a brilliantly descriptive, fully fleshed-out picture of who Medusa was and exactly how she found Perseus' blade at her neck, the modern feminist reader cannot help but feel their blood boil for her. Each chapter has a different way of stirring a fire in the belly of the reader for all of the times they've experienced similar abuse and mistreatment. We may be from a different time, a different place, and may not possess a head of snakes, but as we read, we feel as much a part of her sisterhood as her Gorgon sisters nonetheless.

So many characters with unique stories made the book hard to put down. The complexity of the characters and how they slowly intertwined created gripping storylines with sensational plot twists. This gave the story its mystical feel, more like being invited into the kind of world depicted in a Shakespearean play than a simple retelling of a Greek Mythological tale. I enjoyed watching how the patchwork quilt of characters and setting we were presented with early on were woven together seamlessly by the end, fostering a deep emotional connection with the reader.

What I Didn't Love

I appreciate why the book is structured the way it is. It makes total sense, and the patchwork quilt nature of the story gives way to so many interesting perspectives that we wouldn't have otherwise had access to if it had been structured more traditionally. However, if you're starting where I was and this will be your first time reading Greek Mythology or any of Natalie Hayne's work, do keep in mind that it can feel a little disjointed and slow in the beginning.

The build-up slowly intertwines into a really intricate and captivating picture, but I struggled early on in the book to keep track and definitely had to go back and reread a few times. This wouldn't put me off reading something by Natalie Haynes again, but it's something to remember if you've yet to start the book. Every chapter has a reason, and it'll all fit together in the end.

Secondly, I loved how Haynes portrayed the feminine rage in this book, but part of me at times felt like I could have arrived at my conclusions about Perseus and felt just as angry even if the narration had been a bit more humble. I understand why it was done the way it was; I would be enraged, too, if I were the talking head of a woman who'd been vilified and had her own body weaponised against her. At some points, though, I felt like the narrator could have parked themselves on the high road, and I would have been just as angry, if not more angry, had I been forced to make up my own mind about petulant Perseus in this way.

Thirdly, I think I would have enjoyed a bit more backstory on Athene and her past. She was such a dense character, and I got the impression she held a lot back behind a stiff upper lip and a need to impress her father. I would have really loved for her to get a little more air time and for us readers to get some of the tea on her deepest secrets and innermost thoughts.

Who Should Read It?

Greek Mythology Enthusiasts: Anyone already into or just getting into Greek mythology will devour this one. I'm a beginner reader in the emerging micro-genre of mythology retellings. Still, anyone interested in the subject will enjoy this fresh, witty novel as I did.

Feminists: Those interested in feminist perspectives on classic tales will appreciate the book's exploration of gender dynamics. It's challenging, daring, and heavy on feminine rage. It's a delightful tale for anyone who's simply sick of the patriarchy and ready to watch it crumble.

Barbie Fans: Individuals who enjoyed Barbie's emotional depth may find parallels in the vulnerable yet impactful moments of Stone Blind. If you loved that film but are ready to dive into something grittier, with similar themes but more brutal truths, I highly recommend giving this one a read. It'll definitely add some culture and history to your feminist repertoire.

If you liked it, you'll also love:

"A Thousand Ships" by Natalie Haynes: Written by the same author as "Stone Blind," this novel provides a feminist retelling of the Trojan War, focusing on the perspectives of the women involved, including Helen, Clytemnestra, and Penelope. It was on my TBR list before I'd even finished the last page of Stone Blind.

"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller: This book explores the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus against the backdrop of the Trojan War. It offers a poignant portrayal of love, friendship, and the complexities of heroism. I love the new world of explorative unearthings of these classic Greek tales in an engaging and digestible way to the modern reader. Madelaine Miller is an author in this genre that will be next on my radar.

My Favourite Quotes

“I’m wondering if you still think of her as a monster. I suppose it depends on what you think that word means. Monsters are, what? Ugly? Terrifying? Gorgons are both these things, certainly, although Medusa wasn’t always. Can a monster be beautiful if it is still terrifying? Perhaps it depends on how you experience fear and judge beauty.”

“It's important that you know this because he will try to claim there was a battle. But there is no battle to be had between an armed man and a sleeping girl. Don't forget.”

If you're interested in giving it a read you can find it here, on Amazon. If you purchase via my link I will make a small commission from your purchase. Enjoy!