Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
an incredibly punchy, unapologetic reimagining of the pygmalion myth, with madeline miller’s trademark liberal spin on it. i think many people are drawn to retellings of classic literature because it is a way of reclaiming certain things, of rewriting a story with our own morals and opinions superimposed on them. this is not a bad thing, of course, and is definitely one that can be enjoyable, especially when done by an author with the talent and mindedness of miller.
in this (very) short story, a woman who was once a statue, brought to life for the sexual pleasure of her sculptor, conspires to take control of herself. it is not a pleasant read; it falls in the realm of unvarnished, warts-and-all, putrid-human-stink retellings of previously sanctified works. there is no shying away from the sexist horror of this woman’s life. galatea, so-named by miller, is her sculptor-husband-father-mother-brother-lover’s object. she is afforded no agency by anyone around her, she is expected to shut up and put out, she is the perfect madonna-whore. of course, this isn’t true, and is only her husband’s perverse idea of who she is. her husband has such an extreme contempt of women that he can only even barely accept galatea, so long as she is doing what he wants her to.
galatea is given a surprising roundedness in such a short time frame. she has cunning and guile. she is strong, with a fierce love for her daughter.she makes sure her husband gets what’s coming to him.
there’s a matter-of-factedness to this story, like a spit in the face of any man who thinks himself above women. this is a story of woman’s strength and independence and vengeance. infuriating to read, yet still somewhat galvanising.women, kill your husbands!
in this (very) short story, a woman who was once a statue, brought to life for the sexual pleasure of her sculptor, conspires to take control of herself. it is not a pleasant read; it falls in the realm of unvarnished, warts-and-all, putrid-human-stink retellings of previously sanctified works. there is no shying away from the sexist horror of this woman’s life. galatea, so-named by miller, is her sculptor-husband-father-mother-brother-lover’s object. she is afforded no agency by anyone around her, she is expected to shut up and put out, she is the perfect madonna-whore. of course, this isn’t true, and is only her husband’s perverse idea of who she is. her husband has such an extreme contempt of women that he can only even barely accept galatea, so long as she is doing what he wants her to.
galatea is given a surprising roundedness in such a short time frame. she has cunning and guile. she is strong, with a fierce love for her daughter.
there’s a matter-of-factedness to this story, like a spit in the face of any man who thinks himself above women. this is a story of woman’s strength and independence and vengeance. infuriating to read, yet still somewhat galvanising.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape
Moderate: Abortion, Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
Violence against women is the entire crux of the story.