Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Galatea by Madeline Miller

104 reviews

ursa_arlo's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Positives. As far as short stories go, this one is very strong. It is a story of a beautiful woman coming into her own as someone who is more than her beauty; she is curious, daring, intelligent and a loving mother. All of which is spoiled by her abusive husband who would rather see her as an obedient object of lust without thoughts or personality. The ending is devastating: while her last act gives her back her agency and stops her from being an object of lust, it also deprives her of the future she deserves. 

Negatives. This story would have worked better as an addition to a collection or anthology. Ovid's stories are well known for connecting back to a larger theme. If you want to thoroughly critique Ovid's work, creating an anthology with an overarching theme would be the way to go. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Body shaming

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

quarkie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I picked up this book based on a recommendation from the New York Times "Read Like the Wind" newsletter. It was one of two physically small books described that week, and it is small! 6" by 4", and about 50 pages long.

Honestly, I'm sort of glad it wasn't any longer. It didn't have to be, to get its main point across. The world that Galatea lives in is horrifying, and was very uncomfortable to read about. It is even worse to think how near this fiction is to reality: women being seen by men, their partners, their families, or society as a whole as nothing but property, and used as such. That it would be much better if they were silent and simply did as they were told. And how everyone - professionals, other women, strangers - all help uphold this role.

That said, it was beautifully written. Galatea's voice is clear, strong, and very matter-of-fact. To hear this story solely through her eyes is powerful. her reclamation of her own is ending is powerful.

Overall, it made me look forward to reading more by this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abortion, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Confinement

Moderate: Body shaming, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia

glossworld's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

female rage is real and should include violence

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death and Physical abuse

Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Body shaming

torismazarine's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Abortion, Death, Violence, Cursing, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Medical content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny

kimib79's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I loved this story. It is a great use of fifteen minutes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Confinement, Gaslighting, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Death and Abortion

editorsansserif's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Death, Emotional abuse, Abortion, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Body shaming and Cursing

kalagrace's review

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Potent and arresting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Murder, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Sexual violence

jbackfire's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny

Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Forced institutionalization

erinngus's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Short and bittersweet. The character was very clear and left me wanting more. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny and Domestic abuse

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Abortion

altairetc's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Excrement, Body shaming, and Forced institutionalization