Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

Galatea by Madeline Miller

178 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

ceeeejay's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A brilliant retelling of an old tale, but it also serves as a critique of the ancient writings that are laden with patriarchal values and misogyny. The story of a woman and her fight to survive and escape her possessive husband. A short and engaging story which manages to make you attached to Galatea within the very brief time we spend with her. Bittersweet and upsetting commentary on the disease of misogyny. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Torture, Drug use, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abortion

Minor: Pedophilia

rockinashy's review

emotional inspiring sad fast-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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny

Minor: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Abortion, and Rape

mel_muses's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Minor: Abortion

junefish's review

dark 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexism

Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, and Pedophilia

Minor: Abortion and Murder

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.

rupanjali's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Rape

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Abortion