Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Galatea by Madeline Miller

106 reviews

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

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

miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship

grace_b_3's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Abortion

Minor: Death

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Rape, Abortion, and Cursing

Minor: Gaslighting, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Adult/minor relationship

lola218_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexism, Sexual violence, Confinement, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting and Abortion

Minor: Pedophilia and Child abuse

adventures_in_bookstagram's review against another edition

dark reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

I really like 'Galatea'; it felt both modern and timeless in an interesting way. It managed to remind me of The Yellow Wallpaper, being framed around medical misogyny and institutionalisation of the troublesome heroine, while retaining the vaguely ancient Greek setting and invoking very contemporary problems. It's funny how, by sticking close to Ovid's version of the myth, Galatea comes across as a sexbot, disappointing her creator by becoming alive and therefore a sentient, real woman, as well as a sex object. It's a very modern and ancient form of misogyny and Miller makes the connection brilliantly clear without ever having to outright state it. Funnily enough, I've just finished reading Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates (recommended!), which discusses inceldom and MRAs and other forms of extreme online misogyny, so maybe it jumped out to me because the subject was fresh in my mind, but I think it's still pretty clear, and Miller's afterword provides helpful context about the Ovidian myth and misogyny, mentioning incels by name. Which made me laugh, since every time Pygmalion appeared or spoke in the story, my brain screamed "incel!" He's creepy and disturbing and pathetic all at the same time. And Galatea is an excellent protagonist, clever and determined and biding her time. It probably helps that Ruth Wilson is a superb narrator. She has an amazing talent for sounding conciliatory and arch at the same time, the quality of her voice is perfect for the character. I had mixed feelings about the ending, but ultimately found it narratively satisfying. And Galatea gets off a great one-liner. Overall, I think I prefer Galatea to Circe, and I'd definitely recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Rape

Minor: Abortion, Incest, and Pedophilia

Pygmalion is implied to have developed a pedophilic interest in young girls and his ten year old daughter specifically, fetishising their virginity and 'purity'. He is condemned by the narrative and galvanises Galatea's escape and the story's eventual climax., including his villain's death. Galatea fakes a pregnancy and is forced to drink an abortifacient against her will, leading to her faking a painful miscarriage as part of her escape plan. It's still a depiction of a forced, painful abortion, which might upset some readers.

zazreads's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Confinement

Minor: Body shaming

petrel's review against another edition

dark tense

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, and Sexism

Moderate: Body shaming, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, and Pedophilia

leahkarge's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Rape, Sexual content, Sexism, Violence, Abortion, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship