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Medusa Paperback – April 23, 2021

by Rosie Hewlett (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 896 ratings
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You know her name, you know her story. Just not the right one.

WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL RUBERY BOOK OF THE YEAR AND RUBERY FICTION AWARD 2021. READERS' FAVORITE SILVER MEDAL WINNER 2021.

Within the depths of the Underworld the formidable snake-haired Gorgon has finally had enough. Tired of being eternally and unjustly brandished a villain, Medusa has found the courage to face her tragic past and speak out. Determined to expose the centuries of lies surrounding her name, Medusa gives unparalleled insight into her cursed life, from her earliest memories and abandonment at birth, right through to her tragic and untimely death at the hands of the hero Perseus. Through telling her story, Medusa finally reveals the lost truth behind antiquity’s most infamous monster. Medusa breathes new life into an ancient story and echoes the battle that women throughout millennia have continued to wage – the opportunity to simply be heard.

"I was so absorbed by the furious, passionate voice of Medusa interspersed with biting commentary."
Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE

"Hewlett impressively captures the voice of a woman who has been silenced and shaped by men into something she never wanted to be. Lovers of mythology are sure to be pleased by this deeper look into Medusa’s origin story."
Publishers Weekly
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    204 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 23, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    5.06 x 0.46 x 7.81 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8737903244
  6. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B093B8HBBN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 23, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8737903244
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.46 x 7.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 896 ratings

About the author

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Rosie Hewlett

Rosie Hewlett

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Rosie Hewlett is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of MEDEA and MEDUSA.

Having secured a first class honours degree in Classical Literature and Civilisation at the University of Birmingham, Rosie has studied Greek mythology in depth and is passionate about unearthing strong female voices within the classical world. Rosie’s self-published debut novel, MEDUSA, won the Rubery Book of the Year Award in 2021. Her second novel, MEDEA, was published in March 2024 and became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller.

MEDEA will be publishing in the US in September 2024 under the title 'The Witch of Colchis'.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
896 global ratings
A MUST for greek mythology lovers!
5 Stars
A MUST for greek mythology lovers!
LOVED every second of this book! First of all: English is not my first language so sometimes reading in english I have to read pages 2-3 times to get it but this was such a quick and easy read! Impossible to put down!
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Top reviews from the United States

D Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars The Story from the Other Side (of the Story)
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Medusa has always been one of the Greek monsters humans remember the most. She inspired paintings, sculptures, and movies. However, she is always portrayed as the thing to kill, without any real reason why she must die.

Rosie Hewlett explores the life and death of Medusa in a new light - as a human transformed into a monster because of an unfair goddess, and who is still determined to try to beat the odds against her.

Medusa tells us her story from the Underworld, where she has watched her story being told by men time and again and always inaccurately. She decides to finally speak the truth of what really happened.

Medusa's mother is a primordial sea goddess and deserts her as soon as she is born because she came out human. She is found by an old temple maiden and raised as a virgin disciple of Athene. She is devoted to the goddess who never speaks to her, yet believing blindly in that divine protection.

All goes horribly wrong when Poseidon sets his eye on the adult Medusa's beauty and rapes her in Athene's temple. Medusa calls out repeatedly to the goddess for help but to no avail.

Athene only appears after the assault, blaming Medusa for the temple's desecration and punishing her by turning her into the creature we all know and love. Medusa's immortal sisters receive the same treatment as they attempt to explain it was Poseidon's lust to blame.

Thus begins Medusa's story of being feared, pursued, betrayed by her mother and gods, finally hiding away so she cannot hurt anyone with her unwanted power. She ultimately finds a friend in the man sent to kill het but discovers instead a pregnant woman who does not deserve to die.

Medusa's first-person prose is beautifully written, compelling, and speaks to today's females who must push through the testosterone miasma to be heard in today's society. Several sections would make a fantastic soliloquy for a speech class or an audition. They are so strong yet not pushy in what is being presented, which gives them almost a lyrical feeling.

This needs to be made into a movie because Medusa is not a
monster but a tragic figure and victim deserving her voice to be not only heard but to be sung in praise for enduring all the pain and cruelty, and leaving the mortal realm with dignity. Female directors and producers - this needs your unique touch to tell it with compassion and empathy.
7 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars HER story; from HER. Retelling
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
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The media could not be loaded.
 Devoured this book in one sitting! Quick easy short read. A retelling of HER story from HER! Finally a perspective from her POV. Life was always so unfair to her. I cried for her. Can’t recommend enough if your into mythology or Medusa herself. Having to leave 100 characters on a 100 page book is ridiculous almost DNF this review.
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Paula P
4.0 out of 5 stars A nice and refreshing read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022
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While the story follows the myth at a very basic level, it’s nice to see Ms Hewlett took liberties in a way that make Medusa’s perspective one of positivity after all the horrors that she endured. Medusa’s story has evolved over time, since her vague beginnings as just a gorgon, depth was added by Ovid and layers continue to be built onto the ever fluid tale of her life. Myths evolve over time and this thoughtful and competently-written version has a uniquely happy ending to one of the most famous female tragedies in Greek mythology.
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MARIA HENNINGER
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect beach read
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
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Loved this story from Medusa's side. Like Wicked, it makes you see there is always 2 sides to every story. It kept me engaged & I finished it over 2 beach visits, it's short, 200 pages. But it tells the story well!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will not disappoint!
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
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I absolutely loved this booked and it instantly pulled me in. I just loved how it was written as madusa telling her own story.
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Amanda Hupe
3.0 out of 5 stars Dialogue fell short but loved the feminist themes!
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2022
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“But history is written by the winners. Or, more simply, history is written by the men.”

MEDUSA
Yes, another mythology retelling. I just can’t help myself, especially when it is about one of the most intriguing characters in mythology. Medusa by Rosie Hewlett tells Medusa’s story on her terms. Medusa is the mortal daughter of a marine goddess. She is left to serve as a priestess in Athena’s temple. In all that time, Athena never answers a single prayer. She grows into a beautiful young woman and catches the eye of the god Poseidon himself. Except he doesn’t take no for an answer. Laying on the floor brutalized, Athena finally appears and is offended by Medusa’s conduct in her temple and turns her into a Gorgan. At first, Medusa pities herself but then realizes the power she wields…

TRIGGER WARNINGS: This book discusses the rape of Medusa and how she was treated as a victim afterward. Throughout history, Medusa is seen as a monster who was vanquished by the hero Perseus. It is not becoming a more prevalent opinion that she isn’t a monster, but a survivor. This book is relatively short, I would almost consider it a novella. But the story is pretty straightforward. I was not a fan of this version of Perseus. I wanted Medusa to fight to the end.

The pace is nonstop leaving little room for development, but I suppose that is because the author is relying heavily on the reader’s knowledge of mythology. There is one thing that bugged me and that is the dialogue. It is very stilted and bland. It was as if I was back in the 5th-grade class I subbed in last week. However, I loved all the feminist themes and how the author shines a light that Medusa was a survivor, not a monster that we were all led to believe. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars and definitely plan to check out more of this author’s books!
2 people found this helpful
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Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Feminist YA Novel
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
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Recasting Medusa as a victim of sexual violence, Hewlett does an excellent job of keeping the content respectful and digestible for young readers, while not pulling any punches on the continual psychological impact of gendered trauma. Medusa is sympathetic and relatable, despite her monstrous visage and choices, and the men range from grotesque personifications of rape itself to well meaning yet complicit bystanders.
2 people found this helpful
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Kendal Bauermeister
4.0 out of 5 stars Insight into making monsters
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2022
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This book gives a creative insight into what made Madusa who she was. Beautifully executed
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Top reviews from other countries

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Eliana Zamora
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente narración
Reviewed in Mexico on January 24, 2023
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Una novela que te atrapa desde el inicio.
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Audrey S
5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Medusa Retelling that made me sob!
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2021
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This Medusa is a retelling of the Greek myth of the same name, except this time it is Medusa herself telling us her story from the afterlife. We get a very different tone of Medusa in this short book, but it’s certainly one that I think will stick with the reader for a long time.

We do see Perseus in a positive light (though I’m of the personal opinion that he was a total jackass) and it actually works SO WELL for the story that Hewlett wants to tell. I honestly couldn’t even be mad.

I had no idea how slowly Medusa and her story were winding their way into my heart… until it was too late. I never cry when I read but one scene… one damn scene cracked my poor, dried out husk of a heart and I cried, and it was a good cry 😭

This is a short book, and a fast paced read. If you love retellings, then this one comes highly recommended ✨

CW: Sexual Assault, Misogyny, & Gaslighting
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Tori
4.0 out of 5 stars good read!
Reviewed in Germany on August 2, 2023
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it is nice to read. written in her perspective and like she is telling the story to the reader. and i was surprised as this is the first book i found that actually mentions her sons
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lefG
3.0 out of 5 stars Awful dialogues
Reviewed in Spain on February 26, 2022
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Cracked up to be-
Guys-
So was he cute-
Come hang out with us-
The little prick-
Cooking up dramas-

These are just a few of the expressions to be found throughout the book, Medusa, continously. Hence 3 stars as it had me reading to the end.
I've just criticised The Witch's Heart for it's bantering sessions and even so I gave it 5 stars, it was so original.
I really don't understand all the 'hype' about this book. It was quite original storywise but it was a real strain to get through all these 'trivial and common' euphemisms in a book on mythology.
Not even recommendable as a young adult read, IMHO.
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Ornella
5.0 out of 5 stars A new fav!
Reviewed in Italy on June 1, 2021
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Have you ever felt like the book you've just read was meant for you? Like, actually made for you?

This is what I felt when I discovered this book.

While this is not the reimagining of the myth I expected it was so very interesting!

First of all, it was high time that some wrote Medusa's stort bring out her voice. And while this set pretty high expectations on this book, I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint!

I loved it so so much.

The story is told by Medusa herself as a way to take control of her story and let us know what really happened. She's such a witty badass, honestly, I fell in love with her.

Her story is very delicate since she is a survivor. Of course, there are some dark moments in her life but they are treated so beautifully. With the outmost delicacy and understanding. Never have I thought of her as a monster. Never.

And maybe it was a coincidence because I've just read Ariadne but it made me think of the Minotaur and really, who's the real monster here?

I also found interesting her thoughts about beauty. It reminded me of "The secret history" where beauty is associated with terror. Medusa will end uo terrorizing everyone because she had once been so very beautiful.

I enjoyed the feeling of sisterhood so much, they were such a weird yet amusing buch.

Hermes was basically how I've always imagined him to be so that was really nice to see. The same goes for Poseidon. I've always hated him because just like his younger brother, he's a rapist and just a poor excuse of a man infm general so again, no surprises there.

What did surprise me, though, was Perseus portrayal. It made for such a welcomed change to have a sensitive hero, once that isn't afraid to be vulnerable and wears his heart in his sleeve. Perseus is basically a mommy's boy and this again, this attachment to his mother, is unusual but so sweet.

He's an unwilling hero just as Medusa is an unwilling moster. I also loved their dynamic. An unexpected one but it also gave Medusa more agency in regards to her fate. Which, I realize, it was the whole point of this book.

In the end, this book was beautifully written and finally brought some light on a myth that was in dire need to be rewritten. I'm so thankful I've found this books.
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