Jessie Burton's "Medusa" teachers' review

For Stage 4

Brief description of Medusa – the girl behind the myth:

The original Greek myth of Medusa begins with a human girl with beautiful hair. Poseidon, the god of the sea, rapes Medusa in the temple of Athena, enraging the goddess. Athena blames Medusa for being young and beautiful (not the rapist) and punishes her by turning her into a Gorgon, a monstrous being with snakes for hair. She also banishes Medusa to an island with her winged sisters who are not mortal beings.  Medusa is so hideous that the sight of her could turn an onlooker to stone. Perseus, a young hero needs to slay Medusa as King Polydectes, (who wants him out of the way so he can marry Perseus’s beautiful mother), manipulates Perseus into promising him Medusa’s head. Perseus is aided by Athena and Hermes and gifted with a sword and bronzed shield, winged sandals, invisible cape and magic wallet so he can remove Medusa’s head without being turned to stone. He creeps up on Medusa while she is sleeping and cuts off her head. He later uses the head to turn his enemies, including his King, into stone. 

In Burton’s retelling Medusa is the lonely narrator living out her banishment on her island. Her sisters are often away seeking food. She befriends the restless and intelligent snakes in her hair but longs for connection with another human. When Perseus arrives by boat, lost and hungry with his dog, she provides food but remains cautious about revealing herself or her identity. They talk sitting on either side of a cave wall. When Perseus finally reveals his mission, unaware of Medusa’s identity, readers rush with Medusa to a transfixing conclusion.

Distinctive features of Medusa – the girl behind the myth:

• Burton and Gill’s collaboration has given fresh voice to a mythical creature long dismissed as a horror show. They deliver a contemporary, feminist text which could be used to stimulate fresh scrutiny and alternative narratives in the classroom for many of the myths and legends we take for granted. 
• The first-person narrative where Medusa directly addresses the reader is arresting and gives voice to a girl whose consent was never sought by the gods who defiled, and victim-blamed her. Her defiant response, as friendship, trust, love and betrayal are explored, explodes in a mesmerizing conclusion.
• Olivia Lomenech Gill’s full colour illustrations enrich the text and bring Medusa vibrantly to life for a new audience. Gill brings a bright palette, strong textual lines, mural-like qualities and diverting perspectives to the text. The persuasive power of this text lies in the close connection between the prose and the illustrations. Burton’s lyrical prose brings the wine-dark sea and the spice-filled wind to life and is matched by the beauty and strength of the illustrations.