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Medusa

Perfect for fans of Circe

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Medusa

By: Jessie Burton
Narrated by: Alisha Bailey
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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Bloomsbury presents Medusa by Jessie Burton, read by Alisha Bailey.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL
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'A beautiful and profound retelling' – Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles and Circe
'Gives the serpent-headed monster of myth a powerful and haunting humanity' – Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne and Elektra
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If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next?

Monster. Man-hater. Murderess. Forget everything you’ve been told about Medusa.
Internationally bestselling author Jessie Burton flips the script in this astonishing retelling of Greek myth, illuminating the woman behind the legend at last.

Exiled to a far-flung island after being abused by powerful Gods, Medusa has little company other than the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. Haunted by the memories of a life before everything was stolen from her, she has no choice but to make peace with her present: Medusa the Monster. But when the charmed and beautiful Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is blown apart, unleashing desire, love... and betrayal.

Perfect for readers who loved Circe and Ariadne, as Medusa comes alive in a new version of the story that history set in stone long ago.
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'… a must-read for women of all ages' – Red magazine
'Utterly transporting' – Guardian Books of the Year
'… an impressive addition to the shelves of feminist retellings, balancing rage with beautiful storytelling' – Irish Times©2021 Jessie Burton (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Magic Greek Mythology Mythology Ancient Greece
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Critic reviews

A beautiful and profound retelling ... a powerfully feminist, elegaic and original twist on this old story. The book tackles pain and trauma without flinching, but its message is ultimately one of joy and hope
Utterly transporting
A beautiful and compassionate retelling that gives the serpent-headed monster of myth a powerful and haunting humanity ... Medusa's vulnerability, strength and journey of self-acceptance is one that will stay with me
[A] beguiling, lyrical, but also relatable retelling of the myth of Medusa ... [that] reclaims her both as an ordinary teenage girl who was exploited, brutalised then punished and also as a feminist icon who refuses to be a victim when she can be a proud survivor ... Medusa is a must read for women of all ages
Destined to become as much an artefact of our own age as it is an illumination of the ancient past [...] bracing and powerful
Immerse yourself in Jessie Burton's poetic, powerful reclamation of Medusa's story
This book is a beautiful excavation, uncovering the girl beneath the gorgon, the power within the punished. Exquisitely told, Medusa stole my heart from its first fierce lines
Easily my read of the year. Sheer perfection from start to finish
A thought-provoking and gorgeously illustrated retelling
Filled with vulnerability, raw emotion, betrayal and self-acceptance, this is a story that transcends its ancient time into a surprisingly relevant tale for girls today
Fierce and tender and full of heart; the reclamation of self that Medusa is owed, the version of the myth that deserves to be told, passed girl to girl, painted across walls and screamed from rooftops
I loved this story of survival, healing and bravery of all kinds. A moving retelling that will hold so much appeal for teens but also captivate adult readers of Circe and Ariadne
This glorious retelling of MEDUSA will stay with me for a very long time. The writing is stunning, as one might expect with Jessie Burton, and the story feels searingly, heartbreakingly relevant for the world we live in. It’s a work of art
[Medusa] refreshes an ancient myth in a way that empowers young women. If you enjoyed Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, this is one for your Christmas List
Medusa is an impressive addition to the shelves of feminist retellings, balancing rage with beautiful storytelling
A magnificent retelling of the Gorgon we know the most - Medusa - this title shows you the woman behind the myth
Burton turns one of Greek mythology's most contested figures into a heroine fit for modern fiction
[A] haunting reimagining ... Burton’s take on the traditional adversaries humanizes both characters, blurring boundaries between hero and monster
A gorgeous gift. The writing is beautiful, the story heartbreakingly relevant
A fiercely feminist undercurrent fuels Medusa's unflinching voice
All stars
Most relevant
Jessie told Medusa's story and strength beautifully. It was both harrowing and inspiring to hear her traumas and how she learned to heal from them.
I think the narrator did such an amazing job as well, her voice fit so perfectly with Medusa

Phenomenal

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Wrapped in a mythical story are some amazing messages for young ladies. Would have loved to have read this book in my early teens.

A must for all teenage girls

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An evocative tale of identity, love and betrayal. Medusas is one of many stories that certain facts or rumours remain hidden from us and sometimes that’s what is so fascinating about the myth (and other myths), we can imagine and paint their stories in our minds and that is something truly special and worth reading about.

Well done to Jessie Burton for sharing this story of a women who rejected herself to finding her worth and value, even if others couldn’t or chose not to see it.

5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The myth that never dies!!!!

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Great intro to lots of feminist themes and a really interesting retelling of a classic Greek myth. Teenage me would have loved this, as an adult I enjoyed it but would have loved more action- all the narrative is in the past. I felt more could have been done in the present.

I wish I’d read this as a teen!

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Really enjoyed this story; imaginative and intriguing. A Greek retelling that doesn't end in complete tragedy for a change! 😅
It was short and easy to breeze through in a few hours. A great bitesize Greek myth with modern twists and insights.

Although I did find that the narrator talked a bit too slow for my liking so I did have to speed it up.

an interesting take on this myth

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