Overview

The Medusa Gaze offers striking insights into the desires and frustrations of women through the narratives of the impressive contemporary novelists Angela Carter, Toni Morrison, Sylvia Plath, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, Iris Murdoch, Jeanette Winterson, Jean Rhys and Michele Roberts. It illuminates women's power and vulnerability as they construct their own egos in opposition to their hostile alter egos or others facing them in their mirrors, and fixes a panoptic gaze on the women stalking its pages, as they learn how to deflect the menacing gaze of others by returning their look defiantly back at them. Some stare back and win assurance; others are stared down, reduced to psychic trauma, madness and even suicide. The book shows how Freud's, Sartre's and Lacan's androcentric views define the Medusa m/other as monstrous, and how the efforts of mothers to nurture may be slighted as inadequate or devouring. It presents Medusa and other goddess figures as inspirational, repelling harm through the 'evil eye' of their powerful gaze. Conversely, it also shows women who are condemned as monstrous Gorgons, trapped in enmity, rivalry and rage. Representing English, American and African American, Canadian and Caribbean writing, the works explored here include realistic, social narrative and magical realist writings, in addition to tales of the past and dystopian narratives.

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9781527509061

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Reviews

What makes the study exceptional is the passionate voice of a feminist scholar who wants to reach those outside academia. Apparently, with such an intention in mind, Alban often inserts quick explication of the complex theories and discussions she employs in her reading, as well as helpful yet sometimes digressive plot summaries. [...] At times, the writer's focus shifts from a comprehensive study of a theme through various texts to an analysis of a single work; however, that each subsection starts and ends with a comparative outlook at the texts under discussion provides a consolidation of her intense writing. With the titans of the contemporary women's writing in her cup, Alban not only offers a kaleidoscopic view of the Medusa figure but also gives her reader a kaleidoscope through which s/he can delve into the myriad ways s/he is constructed in this patriarchal culture. Mine OEzyurt Kilic, Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard UniversityContemporary Women's Writing (2018) This book uses the Medusa myth less to present the patriarchal objectification of women by the male gaze, than to demonstrate that woman gains an objectifying power by wielding her own gaze. Readers interested in the social restrictions on women and their metaphorical presentation through mythic women in literature will enjoy reading Alban's book. Gamze Sabanci UzunJournal of American Studies of Turkey, 2018 Filled with beautiful original artwork, The Medusa Gaze threads together several marvelous and diverse women authors, providing a sustained and attentive close reading of the female characters' lives and psyches as girls, friends, lovers, and mothers. In so doing, the book invites a wholesale re-evaluation of the power and beauty of the ancient Medusa myth. If some of the works examined seem to beg for further analysis or investigation into the function or purpose of this mythical figure in contemporary literature, this leaves the door open to future scholars to take up the lens Alban has offered and see what insights about the feminine it may reveal. Misty Urbanfemmeliterate, 11.02.2018 This book offers many insights as the reader is taken through multiple literary works. It could be a journey through hellish places you have been, or quandaries you have known, and how your spirit intuitively coped, put strategies in place to ensure your survival. [...] The Medusa Gaze is an empowering reflection on the complexities of woman's situation, across diverse cultural experiences and personal particularities, gazing as it is from within female eyes, thus speaking a truth - which could change the world, as small particles may. Glenys Livingstone, PhDCo-editor of Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine WisdomMago Pool Circle, 04.10.2017 This book demonstrates how a focus on the various interpretations of what one is tempted to call, in formalist terms, the Medusa function, can be applied to enrich our readings of literary works. In such discussions one may find a woman character who is presented as, for example, a producer of the Medusa gaze, as a `monstrous and terrifying Medusa' or as an `icon of worship'. This book introduces, explores and persuasively argues about the significance of the conflicting, troubling, powerful and fascinating Medusa roles of women in modern and contemporary fiction. Margaret J-M SoenmezMiddle East Technical University [O]ver time, there have been many interpretations of Medusa that have emerged and invite further examination. Enter Gillian Alban whose research and writing are creating a dialogue that extends beyond [the] narrow viewpoint of the Medusa woman as monstrous and petrifying, to include a spectrum of attributes from maternal to redemptive. [...] For such a multi-layered subject, the book is a very accessible and portable read. Monisha KarLale: Magazine of the International Women of Istanbul, Issue 02 (November-December 2017)

What makes the study exceptional is the passionate voice of a feminist scholar who wants to reach those outside academia. Apparently, with such an intention in mind, Alban often inserts quick explication of the complex theories and discussions she employs in her reading, as well as helpful yet sometimes digressive plot summaries. [...] At times, the writer's focus shifts from a comprehensive study of a theme through various texts to an analysis of a single work; however, that each subsection starts and ends with a comparative outlook at the texts under discussion provides a consolidation of her intense writing. With the titans of the contemporary women's writing in her cup, Alban not only offers a kaleidoscopic view of the Medusa figure but also gives her reader a kaleidoscope through which s/he can delve into the myriad ways s/he is constructed in this patriarchal culture. Mine OEzyurt Kilic, Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard UniversityContemporary Women's Writing (2018) All in all, this study presents a wide spectrum of literary analysis which is not restricted to a particular milieu of contemporary women's writing. Thus, this fascinating research offers an insightful guide and powerful reference to literary scholars, presenting strikingly appealing Medusas within its discussion of characters. Alban constantly supports the reader regarding ongoing arguments and offered conclusions within each chapter section. However, with its effort to analyse the varying aspects of the Medusa gaze in extensive detail, and probably concerned not to omit any significant literary work by the evaluated women writers from the sixties to the present, there are slight overlaps within the discussion. Nevertheless, literary scholars, particularly those engaged with contemporary women's writing, will appreciate the rich resources of Alban's analysis in this thorough and insightful study. Burcu Gulum TekinES Review: Spanish Journal of English Studies 39 (2018) This book uses the Medusa myth less to present the patriarchal objectification of women by the male gaze, than to demonstrate that woman gains an objectifying power by wielding her own gaze. Readers interested in the social restrictions on women and their metaphorical presentation through mythic women in literature will enjoy reading Alban's book. Gamze Sabanci UzunJournal of American Studies of Turkey, 2018 Filled with beautiful original artwork, The Medusa Gaze threads together several marvelous and diverse women authors, providing a sustained and attentive close reading of the female characters' lives and psyches as girls, friends, lovers, and mothers. In so doing, the book invites a wholesale re-evaluation of the power and beauty of the ancient Medusa myth. If some of the works examined seem to beg for further analysis or investigation into the function or purpose of this mythical figure in contemporary literature, this leaves the door open to future scholars to take up the lens Alban has offered and see what insights about the feminine it may reveal. Misty Urbanfemmeliterate, 11.02.2018 This book offers many insights as the reader is taken through multiple literary works. It could be a journey through hellish places you have been, or quandaries you have known, and how your spirit intuitively coped, put strategies in place to ensure your survival. [...] The Medusa Gaze is an empowering reflection on the complexities of woman's situation, across diverse cultural experiences and personal particularities, gazing as it is from within female eyes, thus speaking a truth - which could change the world, as small particles may. Glenys Livingstone, PhDCo-editor of Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine WisdomMago Pool Circle, 04.10.2017 This book demonstrates how a focus on the various interpretations of what one is tempted to call, in formalist terms, the Medusa function, can be applied to enrich our readings of literary works. In such discussions one may find a woman character who is presented as, for example, a producer of the Medusa gaze, as a `monstrous and terrifying Medusa' or as an `icon of worship'. This book introduces, explores and persuasively argues about the significance of the conflicting, troubling, powerful and fascinating Medusa roles of women in modern and contemporary fiction. Margaret J-M SoenmezMiddle East Technical University [O]ver time, there have been many interpretations of Medusa that have emerged and invite further examination. Enter Gillian Alban whose research and writing are creating a dialogue that extends beyond [the] narrow viewpoint of the Medusa woman as monstrous and petrifying, to include a spectrum of attributes from maternal to redemptive. [...] For such a multi-layered subject, the book is a very accessible and portable read. Monisha KarLale: Magazine of the International Women of Istanbul, Issue 02 (November-December 2017)

This book uses the Medusa myth less to present the patriarchal objectification of women by the male gaze, than to demonstrate that woman gains an objectifying power by wielding her own gaze. Readers interested in the social restrictions on women and their metaphorical presentation through mythic women in literature will enjoy reading Alban's book. Gamze Sabanci UzunJournal of American Studies of Turkey, 2018 Filled with beautiful original artwork, The Medusa Gaze threads together several marvelous and diverse women authors, providing a sustained and attentive close reading of the female characters' lives and psyches as girls, friends, lovers, and mothers. In so doing, the book invites a wholesale re-evaluation of the power and beauty of the ancient Medusa myth. If some of the works examined seem to beg for further analysis or investigation into the function or purpose of this mythical figure in contemporary literature, this leaves the door open to future scholars to take up the lens Alban has offered and see what insights about the feminine it may reveal. Misty Urbanfemmeliterate, 11.02.2018 This book offers many insights as the reader is taken through multiple literary works. It could be a journey through hellish places you have been, or quandaries you have known, and how your spirit intuitively coped, put strategies in place to ensure your survival. [...] The Medusa Gaze is an empowering reflection on the complexities of woman's situation, across diverse cultural experiences and personal particularities, gazing as it is from within female eyes, thus speaking a truth - which could change the world, as small particles may. Glenys Livingstone, PhDCo-editor of Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine WisdomMago Pool Circle, 04.10.2017 This book demonstrates how a focus on the various interpretations of what one is tempted to call, in formalist terms, the Medusa function, can be applied to enrich our readings of literary works. In such discussions one may find a woman character who is presented as, for example, a producer of the Medusa gaze, as a `monstrous and terrifying Medusa' or as an `icon of worship'. This book introduces, explores and persuasively argues about the significance of the conflicting, troubling, powerful and fascinating Medusa roles of women in modern and contemporary fiction. Margaret J-M SoenmezMiddle East Technical University [O]ver time, there have been many interpretations of Medusa that have emerged and invite further examination. Enter Gillian Alban whose research and writing are creating a dialogue that extends beyond [the] narrow viewpoint of the Medusa woman as monstrous and petrifying, to include a spectrum of attributes from maternal to redemptive. [...] For such a multi-layered subject, the book is a very accessible and portable read. Monisha KarLale: Magazine of the International Women of Istanbul, Issue 02 (November-December 2017)

Author Information

Gillian M. E. Alban engages with women in her literary analyses, exploring the theme of mythic women as it emerges in contemporary literature. Her publications include Melusine the Serpent Goddess in A. S. Byatt's Possession and in Mythology (2003). She has elaborated her insights through a lifetime of enjoying the study and teaching of literature in Istanbul, where she lives and works.

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