Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "madeline-miller"

Galatea by Madeline Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A mythological tale of captivity and vengeance...

'Galatea' is a short story by Madeline Miller, based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who, so horrified by prostitutes, rejects all female companionship and instead carves his own perfect woman of ivory, becoming besotted with her beauty and ultimately praying to the goddess Aphrodite to breathe life into her.

Through the ages the tale has been interpreted in romantic terms; the artist who falls in love with his art and the two lovers discovering blissful existence. Miller turns the story on its head, imagining it from the perspective of the woman (who was originally nameless) who was once made of stone and has found herself conscious and in the possession of her creator, exploring themes of freedom and consent, with implications of misogyny and patriarchal dominance. In fear and desperation, Galatea is moved to act in order to attempt escape, driven to protect her child from the same fate that has befallen her, sacrifice perhaps the only path she has available.

Powerful and moving, 'Galalea' is a beautifully written and tragic short story, one that asks you to look beneath the surface and consider the world from another perspective. This is the first book I've read by Madeline Miller and I shall be eagerly reading her novels in the future!



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