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Medusa
A dazzling, lyrical YA retelling of Greek myth, from Jessie Burton, internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse.
"A powerfully feminist, elegiac, and original twist on this old story." -Madeline Miller, bestselling author of The Song of Achilles
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?
Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal . . . and destiny itself.
With stunning, full-color illustrations and a first person narrative illuminating the fierce, vulnerable, determined girl behind the myth, this astonishing retelling is perfect for readers of Circe, and brings the story of Medusa to life for a new generation.
Book club questions for Medusa by Jessie Burton
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
Medusa did not want all the attention for her looks that she received before she was turned into a Gorgon. Once her hair is replaced with snakes, is she happier? Why or why not?
Medusa did not want all the attention for her looks that she received before she was turned into a Gorgon. Once her hair is replaced with snakes, is she happier? Why or why not?
Why didn’t Athena aid Medusa? Why didn’t she punish Poseidon instead?
Why didn’t Athena aid Medusa? Why didn’t she punish Poseidon instead?
In what ways is this myth retold with modern twists? What happens after Medusa’s rape that would be similar to the treatment of rape victims in today’s world?
In what ways is this myth retold with modern twists? What happens after Medusa’s rape that would be similar to the treatment of rape victims in today’s world?
Medusa and Perseus both believe that they are in love after they begin to share their secrets. Was this intimacy truly love or was it infatuation? Is it possible that both can exist at the same time?
Medusa and Perseus both believe that they are in love after they begin to share their secrets. Was this intimacy truly love or was it infatuation? Is it possible that both can exist at the same time?
Danaë would have been able to escape the king’s attentions if she’d had money to move away or to hire protection for herself. Do you see that as a real solution? Do you think women today view money as a way to protect themselves from harm? In what ways?
Danaë would have been able to escape the king’s attentions if she’d had money to move away or to hire protection for herself. Do you see that as a real solution? Do you think women today view money as a way to protect themselves from harm? In what ways?
What do her snakes come to mean to Medusa? How does she learn to accept them as part of herself, and “intrinsic” to her soul?
What do her snakes come to mean to Medusa? How does she learn to accept them as part of herself, and “intrinsic” to her soul?
When Medusa admits she isn’t Merina, “a lightness sang through” her, and for the first time, she acknowledges and accepts all parts of herself. Are there parts of yourself that you’ve resisted fully embracing? Why? What do you think would happen if you did?
When Medusa admits she isn’t Merina, “a lightness sang through” her, and for the first time, she acknowledges and accepts all parts of herself. Are there parts of yourself that you’ve resisted fully embracing? Why? What do you think would happen if you did?
Despite his initial reaction, Medusa still holds out hope that Perseus will love her from a distance. “If Perseus loved me, then I might learn to love myself too.” How does this sentiment of hers evolve during the subsequent series of events?
Despite his initial reaction, Medusa still holds out hope that Perseus will love her from a distance. “If Perseus loved me, then I might learn to love myself too.” How does this sentiment of hers evolve during the subsequent series of events?
Medusa and Danaë suffered in similar ways in the hands of men. Despite this, Perseus is unsympathetic to this connection and determines he must kill Medusa. Why do think that is? Do you think he truly considered another option?
Medusa and Danaë suffered in similar ways in the hands of men. Despite this, Perseus is unsympathetic to this connection and determines he must kill Medusa. Why do think that is? Do you think he truly considered another option?
Of Perseus’s decision to kill Medusa, Burton writes that “something else louder than love spoke to him that day.” What do you think it was that spoke to him?
Of Perseus’s decision to kill Medusa, Burton writes that “something else louder than love spoke to him that day.” What do you think it was that spoke to him?
After turning Perseus to stone, Medusa says she is growing accustomed to “living in the grey areas of life.” What does she mean by this? Are there areas of our lives that could be considered “grey?” What are the benefits of accepting these? What are the challenges of seeing the world in black and white?
After turning Perseus to stone, Medusa says she is growing accustomed to “living in the grey areas of life.” What does she mean by this? Are there areas of our lives that could be considered “grey?” What are the benefits of accepting these? What are the challenges of seeing the world in black and white?
Burton has dramatically altered the ending of this myth. Why did she make that choice? Do you think that she could have kept the original ending and still written Medusa in the same way? Why or why not?
Burton has dramatically altered the ending of this myth. Why did she make that choice? Do you think that she could have kept the original ending and still written Medusa in the same way? Why or why not?
Medusa Book Club Questions PDF
Click here for a printable PDF of the Medusa discussion questions