The Inky Phoenix | Stone Blind: A Novel

Stone Blind: A Novel

Author: Natalie Haynes

Synopsis: Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023, Natalie Haynes’ Stone Blind offers a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa. The novel delves into the myth of Medusa, who, assaulted by Poseidon in Athene’s temple, is punished by Athene herself. Medusa, blamed for the actions of a god, faces a life of solitude due to her cursed transformation.

“Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories.”—Telegraph (UK)

Themes and Analysis

In this retelling, Haynes revitalizes Medusa’s story, exploring the empathy and nuance associated with her trials, and presenting the broader themes of gendered violence and societal blame. This work challenges readers to reassess their understanding of this classic myth.

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