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Medusa: New & Ancient Greek Tales
Medusa
Foreword by Miriam Robbins Dexter
Variously described as a fiend, a monster, a charming seductress who was felled by the righteous might of Perseus, son of Zeus, Medusa is perhaps the most misunderstood of mythological women. Described by male historians, poets and epic writers such as Hesiod and Ovid, there are many aspects of her imagined life which find resonance in the struggles of the outsider, the cursed and those used in the service another's vision of the world around them. This fascinating collection brings together new stories and ancient origins, offering a wider perspective on the whole life of the powerful, wonderful Medusa.
About the series: Discover the mythology of humankind through its heroes, characters, gods and immortal figures. Myths, Gods and Immortals brings together the new and the ancient, familiar stories with a fresh and imaginative twist. Each book brings back to life a legendary, mythological or folkloric figure, with completely new stories alongside the original tales and a 30,000 word essay which emphasises ancient and modern connections, tracing history and stories across continents, cultures and peoples. New and emerging writers from open submissions reveal hidden themes, casting fresh perspectives on well known stories, alongside the specially commissioned story of the origins and the cultural background from the era. The first titles are Medusa, Odin, Anansi and Circe.
Foreword by Miriam Robbins Dexter
Variously described as a fiend, a monster, a charming seductress who was felled by the righteous might of Perseus, son of Zeus, Medusa is perhaps the most misunderstood of mythological women. Described by male historians, poets and epic writers such as Hesiod and Ovid, there are many aspects of her imagined life which find resonance in the struggles of the outsider, the cursed and those used in the service another's vision of the world around them. This fascinating collection brings together new stories and ancient origins, offering a wider perspective on the whole life of the powerful, wonderful Medusa.
About the series: Discover the mythology of humankind through its heroes, characters, gods and immortal figures. Myths, Gods and Immortals brings together the new and the ancient, familiar stories with a fresh and imaginative twist. Each book brings back to life a legendary, mythological or folkloric figure, with completely new stories alongside the original tales and a 30,000 word essay which emphasises ancient and modern connections, tracing history and stories across continents, cultures and peoples. New and emerging writers from open submissions reveal hidden themes, casting fresh perspectives on well known stories, alongside the specially commissioned story of the origins and the cultural background from the era. The first titles are Medusa, Odin, Anansi and Circe.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published November 12, 2024
About the author
Liv Albert
5 books262 followersLiv Albert is the host, creator, and executive producer of the top rated ancient history podcast, Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Liv studied English Literature and Classical Civilizations and has dedicated the last decade to understanding Greek mythology and the wider Ancient Mediterranean. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her best friend and their two cats, sweet tuxedo gal Squid, and plucked-from-a-Greek-mountainside gremlin, Anchovy Jr. Her next book, a stunning, illustrated retelling of Homer's Odyssey, melds her knowledge of Epic and Greek Myth with her problematic love of Odysseus, the best-worst hero.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 24, 2026
I loved this book!! For the background research alone this is a 5/5 and the main reason I’ve picked up more books from this publisher about other Greek heroes and mythological creatures. Medusa is an amazing character, who in my opinion gets such a bad wrap. She’s misunderstood 🙁
Also this book has short fictional stories about her that I think fans will love!
Also this book has short fictional stories about her that I think fans will love!
klassieke-oudheid
March 30, 2026Leuk! Ik kende het verhaal van Medusa al, maar dit was veel uitgebreider en echt zo zo leuk!!
July 15, 2026
‘’If I wasn’t going to die, I had to find a way to live.’’
I’ve always loved Mythology. My first book on the Olympians and the myths and legends of my country was a gift from my grandma when I was 7. I had no problem with the pictures of monsters, but Medusa? I would scream when my eyes fell on her as I was turning the pages. I remember it like it was yesterday. Mum used to stick paper on the illustrations so that I could read the story, but not look at the hideous face with the snakes and the fangs and the dripping blood.
When I was a teenager, I started reading more thoroughly on World Mythology, and I discovered Ovid’s version (which is obviously never included in children’s books), and that’s how I learned that the myth belongs to a beautiful maiden who was raped by Poseidon inside Athena’s temple and was punished by the goddess for the sacrilege. Or pitied if you prefer the ‘merciful’ point of view. Whichever way one looks at it, the chorus is the same. We have a creation which serves as a symbol of the male fear of the independent, powerful woman and her sexuality and an eternal example that the victim is always to blame. This attitude permeates the cultures of the ancient world. And our world today, make no mistake about it…
*Just imagine how women’s lives would be if Jesus hadn’t come into our world. I shudder even thinking of it…*
The Introduction by Liv Albert is phenomenal. The richness of the information and the sources she provides left me speechless. She makes extremely interesting observations on the question of consent. Why do we always accept the stance that ‘such was the way back then’ and do not wonder about how the victims of rape must have felt? What does it show when a woman was punished for her beauty and killed, even though she presented no threat like the monsters killed by Heracles or Theseus did? Why did she become an apotropaic symbol? Myths link her to a tribe of warrior women; others speak of her as a water nymph broken by love, or as a queen defeated by a lover. Regardless of the versions, the message is clear. You lure men when you are pretty. You lure men when you are monstrous.
I mean, one needs to make up their mind.
The stories in the collection are fascinating. We see Medusa conversing with Athena, with Perseus, with the warriors that were turned into stone. We visit her throughout the centuries. We listen to the voice of Pegasus, her offspring born from her death. We have tales of tragic love and longing, reincarnations of her who punish rapists. And we have Athena’s viewpoint, as well. Haunting and broken and regal. And even though there is violence, the stories are not violent. Instead, there is a quiet cry of sadness and injustice and love in all its uncomfortable forms. A superb collection.
Still, when I saw Caravaggio’s Medusa in the Uffizi last year, I turned my head away immediately. I suppose some terrors stay inside our minds and our souls forever…
‘’You have no reason to smile. You’re dead, a head without a body, trapped in the shimmer of my shield to serve me for the rest of eternity.
I’ve won.’’
I’ve always loved Mythology. My first book on the Olympians and the myths and legends of my country was a gift from my grandma when I was 7. I had no problem with the pictures of monsters, but Medusa? I would scream when my eyes fell on her as I was turning the pages. I remember it like it was yesterday. Mum used to stick paper on the illustrations so that I could read the story, but not look at the hideous face with the snakes and the fangs and the dripping blood.
When I was a teenager, I started reading more thoroughly on World Mythology, and I discovered Ovid’s version (which is obviously never included in children’s books), and that’s how I learned that the myth belongs to a beautiful maiden who was raped by Poseidon inside Athena’s temple and was punished by the goddess for the sacrilege. Or pitied if you prefer the ‘merciful’ point of view. Whichever way one looks at it, the chorus is the same. We have a creation which serves as a symbol of the male fear of the independent, powerful woman and her sexuality and an eternal example that the victim is always to blame. This attitude permeates the cultures of the ancient world. And our world today, make no mistake about it…
*Just imagine how women’s lives would be if Jesus hadn’t come into our world. I shudder even thinking of it…*
The Introduction by Liv Albert is phenomenal. The richness of the information and the sources she provides left me speechless. She makes extremely interesting observations on the question of consent. Why do we always accept the stance that ‘such was the way back then’ and do not wonder about how the victims of rape must have felt? What does it show when a woman was punished for her beauty and killed, even though she presented no threat like the monsters killed by Heracles or Theseus did? Why did she become an apotropaic symbol? Myths link her to a tribe of warrior women; others speak of her as a water nymph broken by love, or as a queen defeated by a lover. Regardless of the versions, the message is clear. You lure men when you are pretty. You lure men when you are monstrous.
I mean, one needs to make up their mind.
The stories in the collection are fascinating. We see Medusa conversing with Athena, with Perseus, with the warriors that were turned into stone. We visit her throughout the centuries. We listen to the voice of Pegasus, her offspring born from her death. We have tales of tragic love and longing, reincarnations of her who punish rapists. And we have Athena’s viewpoint, as well. Haunting and broken and regal. And even though there is violence, the stories are not violent. Instead, there is a quiet cry of sadness and injustice and love in all its uncomfortable forms. A superb collection.
Still, when I saw Caravaggio’s Medusa in the Uffizi last year, I turned my head away immediately. I suppose some terrors stay inside our minds and our souls forever…
‘’You have no reason to smile. You’re dead, a head without a body, trapped in the shimmer of my shield to serve me for the rest of eternity.
I’ve won.’’
December 24, 2025
The first half they took the collection of all the history and facts everyone has already published about Medusa and then added their own opinions. It's not horrible but if your looking for something new and Interesting maybe something with some historical meat, this isnt it. They try to do little jokes here and there and some puns but it all falls flat. Im not fully disappointed, it just could have been so much better.
The second half is more like story telling. Each chapter being written by someone else. Like a collection of everyone else version of Medusa through time. Not horrible but again not overly exciting.
The second half is more like story telling. Each chapter being written by someone else. Like a collection of everyone else version of Medusa through time. Not horrible but again not overly exciting.
December 15, 2024
I absolutely loved this anthology about Medusa! It’s a new genre for me, and I’m so glad I ventured outside my usual thrillers. My favorite piece in the book is "The Medusa Rondanini" by Gabriella Ramalho. It’s beautifully written and incredibly original, yet also provides a fresh and insightful take on Medusa's backstory. The way it blends the familiar myth with such a unique perspective makes it a compelling read. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to explore new genres!
February 15, 2025
Loved this collection of short stories and of course, the introduction by Liv Albert! My favorite was “What Actually Happened” by Rhys Hughes. It was beautiful, unique, and imaginative.
Several of them would actually be awesome tv or movie concepts. I loved the VERY varied and sometimes futuristic/sci-fi feeling/dystopian tales inspired by Medusa.
Definitely worth the read if you’re a Medusa stan.
Several of them would actually be awesome tv or movie concepts. I loved the VERY varied and sometimes futuristic/sci-fi feeling/dystopian tales inspired by Medusa.
Definitely worth the read if you’re a Medusa stan.
December 31, 2024
I wish I could do 3.5 stars. I think maybe short stories are just not my thing but I really liked the concept of a good 100+ pages of history (and I love Liv Albert who wrote that part) followed by essentially fan fiction.
January 23, 2026
(minus one star bc I only read and used the into essays and the foreword)
I yearn for all the answers behind Medusa and the gorgons as a whole and this was a joy to read and the authors I read were great at everything they said and stood for
I yearn for all the answers behind Medusa and the gorgons as a whole and this was a joy to read and the authors I read were great at everything they said and stood for
November 26, 2024
I loved this book!! So beautiful.
November 24, 2025
Introduction was a bit long and boring, but the modern myths were enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews