Galatea

A Short Story from the Author of the Song of Achilles and Circe

No cover

Madeline Miller: Galatea (2022, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc)

English language

Published Nov. 13, 2022 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

ISBN:
978-1-5266-5206-5
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4 stars (1 review)

In Ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece – the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen – the gift of life. Now his wife, Galatea is expected to be obedience and humility personified, but it is not long before she learns to use her beauty as a form of manipulation. In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, she is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost…

6 editions

short and to the point

4 stars

This is only a short a story but it comes in the form of a small book with beuatiful cover art. A friend lent it to me. It lays bare the dark underbelly of an antique myth. Other modern takes on the story usually focus on Galatea's creator and husband Pygmalion. It's also a realistic take on how horrible men could be to their wives in Ancient Greece. Doesn't need a lot of words to sketch out the world of Galatea and what's been happening. I also liked all the allusions to being made out of stone and what that would mean in reality.