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 and betrayal. Burton, whose debut The Miniaturist (Pan Macmillan) was published in 2014, said that she "wanted to reclaim Medusa's story and invite the reader into her mind” to explore gender politics following the sexual harassment claims faced by US film director Harvey Weinstein and many other powerful men. Burton said: "So often [Medusa’s] robbed of agency, turned into a monster, and used as a stepping stone for heroes. The myth of Medusa is a tale of objectification and toxic masculinity, and the meaning of consent. Given the continuing revelations about men like Weinstein and (US president Donald) Trump, and others we have each encountered on our way through life, Medusa's myth is ripe for the retelling."

Publication Year: 2021