Book Review
Stone Blind by Nataile Haynes (Greek Myth Retelling)
This was a rough one for me to get through unfortunately. I didn't really care for the writing style and I felt like there were too many stories going on. I understand the stories kind of overlap but still felt like a lot. This did not really feel like a Madusa story overall, her story was just a part of it. Some how the ending felt kind of rushed and left out information of how things happened, which I found odd considering all the information you get throughout the book to build up to things that happen and stories that also felt kind of irrelevant. All in all just not the book for me.
"'Why would anyone love a monster?' asked Perseus.
'Who are you to decide who is worthy of love?' said Hermes.
'I mean, I wasn't...'
'And who are you to decide who is a monster?' added the messenger god."
"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."
-Retelling
-Sisterhood
-Monster vs Humanity
-Breaking the 4th Wall
-Deconstructed Hero
2/5stars
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Having personally navigated through Natalie Haynes' Stone Blind, I found myself grappling with the complex layering of stories and overlapping narratives. The book’s ambition to weave various mythological threads together, while intriguing, can sometimes feel overwhelming and detract from the central Medusa storyline. This is something I noticed early on — where the myth you expect to be front and center becomes just a part of a larger, sometimes unfocused tapestry. One aspect that stood out is Haynes’ exploration of how myths are perceived, particularly how society labels beings as monstrous or human. The dialogues between Perseus and Hermes, questioning the nature of love and monstrosity, give the story philosophical depth. Quotes like “Who are you to decide who is a monster?” challenge our preconceived notions about villains in mythology and invite readers to rethink the lens through which these ancient stories are viewed. Moreover, the book introduces rich themes such as sisterhood and the blurred lines between monster and humanity. This approach aligns with modern reinterpretations that seek to deconstruct traditional heroes and villains, offering a more nuanced portrayal of characters like Medusa. However, for me, the attempt to break the fourth wall and incorporate multiple narrative layers sometimes disrupted the flow and made it harder to engage emotionally. The ending felt abrupt and left several plot points underdeveloped, which was disappointing given the detailed buildup. It’s clear that Haynes aimed to cover a wide breadth of mythology, yet this expansiveness may have sacrificed depth in certain areas, making it a challenging read for those seeking a focused Medusa-centered narrative. For readers interested in Greek mythology with a modern twist and those who appreciate experimental narrative styles, Stone Blind might be a compelling read. However, if you prefer a more straightforward myth retelling with a strong, central storyline, this book might not meet your expectations. Personally, the blend of intricate storytelling and thematic ambition offered food for thought, even if the overall execution left me wanting a more cohesive experience.