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A review by libbysbookshelf
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls
MRS CALIBAN by RACHEL INGALLS
Written in 1975 by an American writer, first published in the U.K. in 1982, winner of accolades by 1986 — including one of the best post-war American novels — Mrs Caliban is a book that is well ahead of its time.
The plot is one that is sure to entice fans of The Pisces and The Shape of Water. A suburban housewife with an unfaithful husband, a dead child and a recent miscarriage falls in love with a frog-like sea monster, who is wanted by the authorities for murdering the scientists who experimented on him.
Intriguing, right?!
What follows is a story about female desire, love, eroticism, but also grief and loss and madness. It’s a good one because it’s both plot and character driven, so we can all unite over this feminist masterpiece.
The only whiff of the 70s is the fact that our protagonist is a housewife — although I’m well aware they still exist today, just maybe not in this capacity. Other than that, the observations were beautiful and on point, as far as I’m concerned.
I was especially interested to see that this book is beloved by Black and white, make and female authors (from the reviews on the back) and I think that’s because the allegory of a sea monster who is hated simply because he is different is something that resonates with anyone who’s experienced racism or prejudice of any kind.
I’m so glad this book was recently republished and I’m so glad I read it straight away because — despite the sometimes difficult thoughts about grief — I really enjoyed this novel.
A clever writer is one who can write about a heartache that feels real and an empathetic protagonist without making the reader feel the need to cry their eyes out. No gratuitous misery porn here.
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve read this. It not, I can already think of at least one Bookstagrammer who I know will love this. You know who you are 😉
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mrscaliban #rachelingalls #book #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
Written in 1975 by an American writer, first published in the U.K. in 1982, winner of accolades by 1986 — including one of the best post-war American novels — Mrs Caliban is a book that is well ahead of its time.
The plot is one that is sure to entice fans of The Pisces and The Shape of Water. A suburban housewife with an unfaithful husband, a dead child and a recent miscarriage falls in love with a frog-like sea monster, who is wanted by the authorities for murdering the scientists who experimented on him.
Intriguing, right?!
What follows is a story about female desire, love, eroticism, but also grief and loss and madness. It’s a good one because it’s both plot and character driven, so we can all unite over this feminist masterpiece.
The only whiff of the 70s is the fact that our protagonist is a housewife — although I’m well aware they still exist today, just maybe not in this capacity. Other than that, the observations were beautiful and on point, as far as I’m concerned.
I was especially interested to see that this book is beloved by Black and white, make and female authors (from the reviews on the back) and I think that’s because the allegory of a sea monster who is hated simply because he is different is something that resonates with anyone who’s experienced racism or prejudice of any kind.
I’m so glad this book was recently republished and I’m so glad I read it straight away because — despite the sometimes difficult thoughts about grief — I really enjoyed this novel.
A clever writer is one who can write about a heartache that feels real and an empathetic protagonist without making the reader feel the need to cry their eyes out. No gratuitous misery porn here.
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve read this. It not, I can already think of at least one Bookstagrammer who I know will love this. You know who you are 😉
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mrscaliban #rachelingalls #book #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer