Mishka’s Book Reviews

with Mishka

Campbell

Natalie Haynes is one of those lucky people who just can’t seem to stick to one thing. Google her and you see the following; Natalie Haynes: writer, broadcaster, classicist, and comedian. She has written novels, a children’s book, and non-fiction. She’s a podcaster and frequent contributor to many newspapers and to the delight of anyone interested in ‘old stuff ’, she also has a stand-up routine on BBC Radio called “Natalie Haynes Stands Up For the Classics”, which is both funny and informative. She has successfully turned her passion for classic lit (read mostly Greek myths and legends) into a vibrant and varied career. It’s impossible to read her work and not be conscious of her very specific voice, attuned as it is to the modern world, with her other foot firmly planted in ancient history. Her fascination with these stories, coupled with her signature wit and sense of humour, make for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

“Stone Blind”, in case you haven’t guessed it, is the story of Medusa, a so called ‘monster’ of a Gorgon. I think most of us know the basics of the story, at the very least she’s an iconic, recognizable figure, with her snakes for hair and pupil-less eyes. Oh yeah, alsodon’t forget-those eyes can turn you to stone. Of course, just like in many of these classics, we are only ever told or only remember the stories of the heroes (read men). They’re always off on quests, battling the monsters, and saving the day. Even though we’re actually given all the back story we could possible want in these tales, we just don’t see it; willfully blind to how these ‘monsters’ ended up that way, ignorantly cheering on the hero even though his quest may be without merit and in fact heartlessly cruel. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, so I won’t say too much, but I will share that even though I already knew the how and the why of it, I still appreciated the WAY the author chose to tell it. In her view, it’s not a thrilling adventure, but a tragedy. There is no triumphant conclusion of a hero’s quest, simply the murder of an innocent, sleeping girl. “He is a vicious little thug and the sooner you grasp that, and stop thinking of him as a brave boy hero, the closer you’ll be to understanding what actually happened.”