Hi, Nataly! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hello! I’m Nataly, I’m a lover of mythology (any kind), dogs (though I don’t have one), and reading (obviously). My reading taste skews mostly fantasy and science fiction, though I will branch out for a well-researched historical or literary fiction, especially if it’s queer. I recently took up knitting as a hobby, even though I already had an expensive hobby in buying all the books I want to read.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I was actually a very reluctant reader growing up. My mom sat me down with The Hobbit a few times with little success, until something finally clicked for me and I began devouring every book she put in front of me. The first few stories I wrote were inspired by the books I had read, little adventures for the characters I loved and wanted to see more of, and from then on I knew I wanted to write my own worlds into existence.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket, which is the second book in the series, but I vividly remember when Violet was doing something sneaky and I turned the page to see a full block of “never, ever, ever, ever”s. I never forgot how that made me laugh.
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, of course!
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield, beautifully haunting and realistically hopeful, it’s a love story that would give anyone thalassophobia.

Your latest novel, Selkie, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Lighthouses, secrets, family, oh my!

What can readers expect?

My take on the traditional story of selkie folklore, in which a selkie is trapped on land by her husband until she is finally able to escape back into the ocean, but then I dove further into what would happen to her once she returns to sea. Selkie explores who she has become after being separated from the other half of herself and whether she can trust humans again. It is also a story of women taking control of their own lives amidst the many storms they struggle against.

Where did the inspiration for Selkie come from?

An episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved that covered the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers at the Flanan Isle Lighthouse off the coast of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. With only a few suspicious clues left behind, their disappearance inspired a theory that the men were lured or taken into the water during a massive storm by some sea creature. I’ve been obsessed with the selkie folklore since I was young, and the idea that the lighthouse keepers could have been taken by a selkie popped into my head before the episode had even finished.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

In addition to the selkie folklore included in the book, I also researched the Scottish legend of the washerwoman, or the bean-nighe. The washerwoman is an omen of death and humans will stumble across her washing bloodied clothes. The number of garments represents the number of deaths, and the one who spots her has the chance to approach her and find out who would die. I loved getting to read about this folkloric figure I had never heard about and expand the magic of the story!

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I actually had to completely restart this story when I was maybe a third of the way in to give it a better foundation from the selkie’s perspective. I knew she was the one driving the narrative and she certainly took the reins once I came at it for the second time, but reworking the image I had of the book into the new foundation took a lot of sacrifices. In the end, the book is stronger for it, and lives up to its name.

What’s next for you?

I’ll keep dipping my fingers into the well of myths to take inspiration from as long as they’ll let me!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I’ve already read The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley twice this year and enjoyed it immensely both times, and I’ve also loved Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse.

Emily Wilson’s translation of The Iliad has been giving me the side-eye from my desk for months, and I’m determined to get to it! I’m also looking forward to Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, No Friend to this House by Natalie Haynes, and Cinder House by Freya Marske.

Will you be picking up Selkie? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Nataly Gruender, Author of ‘Selkie’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Nataly Gruender’s debut novel, Medusa, breathes new life into the myth of Medusa, transforming her from a mere monster into a complex, resilient character. This retelling remains true to the core elements of the myth while providing a fresh, and slightly feminist perspective.

The story begins with Medusa as the only mortal among the Gorgon sisters, destined by a prophecy to become a monster. The sisters’ journey from their secluded house on the beach to Athens marks the start of Medusa’s transformation. In the city, as a priestess of Athena, Medusa finds her true calling, but her life takes a tragic turn when Poseidon rapes her at Athena’s altar. And, unable to punish the god, Athena turns Medusa into a monster. Gruender skillfully navigates Medusa’s journey as she learns to live with her new form, finding companionship with Dionysus, a naiad, Echidna (and Cerberus), and eventually reconnecting with her sisters.

Gruender’s portrayal of Medusa as a tragic yet resilient character is both engaging and thought-provoking. The novel delves into Medusa’s inner world, exploring her motivations and the choices she makes with the prophecies she’s been given in mind. This depth of character adds a new dimension to the well-known myth, making Medusa more relatable and human.

The novel strikes a delicate balance between staying true to the myth and introducing new elements—like her friendship with Dionysus or the bond she shares with the naiad. Furthermore, Gruender’s interpretation of Athena as a pragmatic figure who makes decisions based on logic rather than empathy is particularly compelling and offers a more nuanced view of her actions.

While the prose is generally vivid and engaging, there are moments where it becomes lengthy, and certain aspects of the story could have been expanded upon. For instance, the romance between Medusa and the water nymph Naidah felt slightly underdeveloped and somewhat flat. Additionally, on some occasions, the dialogue also felt too modern and out of place compared to the narration style.

All in all, despite these minor flaws, Medusa is a compelling retelling of a classic myth. It’s a tender and inspiring exploration of what it means to be a monster and the power of resilience. It is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology authors like Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes, and those looking for a refreshing tale of feminine rage, acceptance, and the complexities of power and ethics.

Medusa is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Medusa? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

An intimate look into the life of a legendary mythical villain who has so often been stripped of her voice and humanity in this debut novel, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe and the works of Jennifer Saint.

You know how Medusa’s story ends, but you’ve never heard her tell her own story… until now.

The only mortal daughter of two sea gods, and a priestess of Athena, Medusa was a woman who thought she had found her place in the world. But when Medusa suffers a horrific violation at the hands of Poseidon, Athena is outraged over the desecration of her name and sends a message by transforming Medusa into the snake-haired monster of legend. With one look, any who meet her gaze is turned to stone. Word of her monstrosity travels fast, igniting a king’s fear so greatly that he commands the boy-hero Perseus to bring him her head. With a power that will spare no one, Medusa begins to wonder if this is a blessing or a curse. Medusa only knows that she must leave the city she has come to call home before she harms another soul.

Searching for a haven free from mortals, anger buoying her every step, Medusa journeys across ancient Greece. Her eyes are hidden beneath a blindfold, with nothing but the snakes for company. Through her travels, Medusa discovers solace and understanding in the mythical figures she stumbles upon: A debaucherous wine god, an alluring nymph, and a three-headed dog. But one cannot escape fate forever. As Perseus closes in, Medusa faces a choice: become the monster everyone expects her to be, or cling to the last piece of her humanity.

The post Review: Medusa by Nataly Gruender appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Nataly Gruender’s Medusa, which is out August 13th 2024.

You know how Medusa’s story ends, but you’ve never heard her tell her own story… until now.

The only mortal daughter of two sea gods, and a priestess of Athena, Medusa was a woman who thought she had found her place in the world. But when Medusa suffers a horrific violation at the hands of Poseidon, Athena is outraged over the desecration of her name and sends a message by transforming Medusa into the snake-haired monster of legend. With one look, any who meet her gaze is turned to stone. Word of her monstrosity travels fast, igniting a king’s fear so greatly that he commands the boy-hero Perseus to bring him her head. With a power that will spare no one, Medusa begins to wonder if this is a blessing or a curse. Medusa only knows that she must leave the city she has come to call home before she harms another soul.

Searching for a haven free from mortals, anger buoying her every step, Medusa journeys across ancient Greece. Her eyes are hidden beneath a blindfold, with nothing but the snakes for company. Through her travels, Medusa discovers solace and understanding in the mythical figures she stumbles upon: A debaucherous wine god, an alluring nymph, and a three-headed dog. But one cannot escape fate forever. As Perseus closes in, Medusa faces a choice: become the monster everyone expects her to be, or cling to the last piece of her humanity.

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Medusa’ by Nataly Gruender appeared first on The Nerd Daily.