Stone Blind A Novel
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes, published by HarperCollins Publishers on February 7, 2023, is a novel that offers a fresh perspective on the myth of Medusa, the original monstered woman. In this 384-page edition, Haynes explores the complexities of Medusa’s character, portraying her as the youngest of the Gorgon sisters who grapples with her mortality and the consequences of divine actions. The narrative delves into the themes of violation and punishment, as Medusa faces transformation and solitude following an assault by Poseidon and the subsequent wrath of Athene.
Readers will find a nuanced retelling of this ancient story, where Haynes brings empathy and depth to Medusa’s plight. The book examines the dynamics of power and blame, highlighting how a woman’s suffering can lead to her being demonized. Through her wit and passion, Haynes revitalizes this classic tale, making it relevant to contemporary discussions about gender and agency. Stone Blind invites readers to reconsider the narrative surrounding Medusa, offering insights into the origins of this enduring myth.
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Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023
“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.
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