This concisely written take on the stories of Medusa and Perseus offers a very humane take that shows how these classic stories still have relevancy to this day.
Hannah Lynn has a way of ensuring that the mythological aspects of the stories that she recreates remain intact, while offering a refreshing modern perspective that makes the characters (even the Gods and Goddesses) feel humane with both flaws and virtues.
In Athena’s child, the reader follows Medusa from her childhood in which her beauty is renowned and ends up seeing her being taken under the wing of Athena, becoming a priestess at her temple. Until one day she find herself sexually assaulted by Poseidon and Athena striking her with a terrible curse having not believed Medusa’s side of the story, turning her hair to snakes and her glance turning people into stone.
Medusa only realises this when she returns to her family home, where tragedy strikes and feeling guilty for making her sisters orphans, she flees with them to find a place of safety – until they are in turn cursed by Athena. For hundreds of years they live on a deserted island, where men try and destroy them but the sisters (also known as Gorgons) ultimately prevail. The story then switches to that of Danaë and her son Perseus, coming together to a heartbreaking conclusion.
The way in which Lynn writes these characters – particularly in Medusa’s case – is with great heart and sympathy to ensure that the reader is emotionally invested in the outcome of the story (no matter how familiar you are with the premise with the plot). There is plenty of emotion and conflicting feelings on display throughout this concisely written and speedy book that ensures that there is plenty for the modern reader to relate to.
Perhaps the way in which the narrative changes is slightly awkward, it is essentially necessary in telling Medusa’s story from start to tragic finish. There is also no doubting that throughout Lynn paints a vivid picture of everything that unfolds that makes sure that the reader is thoroughly swept into this story (and you do feel like you are swept back to Ancient Greece thanks to the images that the author creates in the mind).
But the story asks who really is the villain of the piece and it certainly offers a sympathetic view of Medusa in a way that is not overblown and is very insightful from start to finish.
Overall, Hannah Lynn doesn’t extend the story for indulgence and ensures that not a single word is wasted to make sure that it packs a powerful punch.
By Emma Clarendon
Athena’s Child is available to buy now.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️