Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole

Reviewed by Kate D.
Grade 11

Have you ever felt as if you had no choice? Have you ever been called a monster by your peers? Have you ever painted yourself red with poison and blood? Have you ever felt like a little rabbit? Have you ever lost a friend because the two of you were too different? Have you ever been caught by that one male teacher after school when everyone else has gone? Have you ever met a wolf wearing human flesh? Alicia has.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole is exactly what it sounds like if you are familiar with Greek mythology. Medusa was raped by Poseidon in Athena’s temple, and—despite her pleading and cries that she was raped—Athena found Medusa guilty. Medusa, the victim, was punished and turned into a monster. Alicia faced similar peril. Teachers, coworkers, and peers were all fine with painting her as promiscuous and a monster as they took off her clothes. After finding out, her best friend joined those who criticized her for being abused. She never told her family for fear of rejection. In addition, she preferred women over men, but did the men care who she liked? Of course not. As her life twists and turns, she writes letters to Medusa, Poseidon, and even her own brother. Alicia was alone, hidden in her cave and “dares the world to follow.”

This book is written using a verse novel format. Each “poem” takes up anywhere from a third of a page to two full pages. There is no rhyme scheme or complicated wording. Within Dear Medusa, there are characters from many different cliques and backgrounds. Some of the characters are described as “bottle of sunshine I sip from in the gloom of night” and “a new penny” while other characters are described as wolves and rabbits.

Dear Medusa is a good read for any teenage girl, no matter the race, class, or “purity.” Just be warned, there are a great many sensitive topics within such as rape, pedophilia, descriptions of lost flesh and drugs. The main plot seems to be Alicia mentally running from the colonel, yet very few chapters are focused on the colonel, weakening the focus of the book. The subplots have a tendency to overwhelm the main plot but compel the reader with their attraction. Definitely worth a read for any teen girls who need to feel that they aren’t alone in their rage against the world.