In Greek mythology, Medusa’s story is laced with controversy. Allegedly raped by Poseidon and later cursed by Athena for defiling the latter’s temple, was she a villain or a victim? Did she even deserve the cruel fate of a monster with a murderous gaze? In The Rape Trial of Medusa, Michael Kasenow takes this age-old story and spins a tale with a modern twist around it. After millennia, Medusa is finally retrieved from her isolation. Her trial begins in New York, spearheaded by Maggie Harper. Crystal and Jack, members of Harper’s legal team, befriend Medusa. As the case starts to lean in Medusa’s favor, the all-powerful Olympian family is clearly on the back foot. The plot thickens when prominent Olympian members like Poseidon, Hades, and Ares succumb to mysterious deaths. Will Medusa receive her long-awaited justice? Will the reign of the Olympians finally come to a staggering halt?

The Rape Trial of Medusa is nothing short of a mirror that reflects the follies and absurdities of our socio-political system. Kasenow’s powerful voice condemns the horrific crimes against women - sexual assaults, rape, objectification of women, child marriage, bride burning, and honor killing. The Olympians in this book stand for the supremacists controlling the world with money and power. The other side represents the oppressed, fighting for their rights in a world deeply skewed against them. Through his characters, Michael Kasenow underscores the importance of taking a stand. Maggie’s indomitable spirit, Crystal and Medusa’s self-acceptance, and Jack’s search for inner beauty demonstrate that there is much more to life than materialistic pleasures. This is a story that might make you uneasy with its grisly details. However, this thought-provoking book will certainly open your eyes to the real horrors lurking close to us.

The Rape Trial of Medusa is a work of fiction in the fantasy, magical realism, and contemporary courtroom drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Michael Kasenow. As the title suggests, the novel does feature sensitive topics that some readers may find distressing and discusses violent sexual crimes and all their intricacies. Taking the original tragic story of the formation of the monstrous Medusa, the author extrapolates the trial into the real world and into modern-day New York City. As Medusa undergoes a second trial for the rape that she suffered and was blamed for all those years ago, poignant questions are asked about how much has really changed between then and now.

Author Michael Kasenow has crafted an interesting drama that will be sure to intrigue and provoke those who are interested in socio-political themes in modern society, feminism, and women’s rights. I enjoyed the character of Maggie Harper very much, who represents Medusa and speaks from a modern viewpoint on the historical nature of her case, and how it was handled then versus now. The drama itself contains some great dialogue and thought-provoking discussions as the case unfolds, and I felt like all the characters in the story were challenged in some way and learned something new. The themes of the book are difficult and sensitive, but they are explored with a keen mind and given plenty of room for readers to judge too. Overall, The Rape Trial of Medusa is a unique story for those brave enough to take it on.