Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
“Stone Blind,” by author, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes is a feminist retelling of the Greek myth of Medusa and Perseus. With wit and irony, Haynes shifts the perspective on a story we thought we knew, pulling no punches and plainly portraying the faults, foibles and sins of the gods. “Stone Blind” reveals a Perseus who is hapless, self-centered and fails upward, while Medusa, the snake-haired antagonist gorgon, is an unjust casualty of Perseus’ selfish blind arrogance.
Underlying Haynes’ work is the contention that historically men are typically the so-called “heroes” of stories simply because they’ve chosen to call themselves as such. “Monsters,” in contrast, are those labeled by the heroes (and let us not forget how often “monster” is applied to the marginalized, which furthers the heroes’ power).
Hero and monster are appellations we should not accept at face value. Heroes may act monstrously, and monsters may be heroic. It is an oft-said truism that “history is written by the victors,” and we should rightly reassess our traditional labels with this in mind.
From this starting point, Haynes crafts a compelling and empathetic portrait of Medusa. In a world of fates and fickle gods, where the powerful exploit, Medusa unjustly suffers for the misdeeds of others. This casts the “heroic” actions of Perseus in a new light, as Medusa’s demise is seen for what it is: a tragedy. Balancing what might be a dark and dour perspective, Haynes’ tone is comedic, sardonic and moves at a steady pace, keeping the reader’s interest until the very end.“Stone Blind” is part of a popular subgenre in literature where classical myths are retold, joining such acclaimed works as “The Song of Achilles,” “Circe” and “A Thousand Ships.” “Stone Blind” should appeal to readers of Greek mythology, fantasy, historical fiction, feminist retellings and retellings of classics.
Visit wcls.org to find “Stone Blind” and other similarly themed stories. “Stone Blind” is the June selection for the Books & Bites book group. Join Books & Bites 1 p.m. Friday, June 20 at the Blaine Public Library for a time of community and lively conversation.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of the Blaine Public Library.
(Originally published in The Northern Light, Wednesday, June 11, 2025.)