Galatea by Madeline MillerThis is actually a short story but it’s available as a digital “book,” so I’m including a review.Like Miller’s The Song of Achilles, this story retells an ancient story. Here, she takes on the Pygmalion myth and tells it from the statue’s point of view. What a fascinating study. The statue, brought to life by her maker’s prayers, has feelings and needs of her own. The sculptor doesn’t honor anything but his own desires, and they are lustful to the point of repulsion. When she discovers that he has carved another statue of a young girl, she recognizes the girl as her daughter…and knows the fate that awaits the girl in the sculptor’s bedchamber. Her final sacrifice saves the girl from life while providing her with the release she so desperately wants from her semi-human life. I really wanted to like this, but I guess magic didn't happen.The first person narration was something I believe robbed the short story of its original concept, although it makes perfect sense why it's cold and emotionally detached. Stony would be the fitting word. Being Greek, I grew up with the stories of our ancients and was familiar with the story of Galatea, but I found the contemporary twist the author presents unsettling. Also, using of the word "fuck" could have been avoided, as in Galatea's case it's rape and abuse the author is talking about and not just in a physical way but mainly psychological. All in all it's not a bad read, but it didn't do it for me.
What do You think about Galatea (2013)?
Dark fairy story bit snow child and a bit stone angels chilling and beautifully writen
—clatina2
Wasn't particularly interesting or captivating but a good short story, nonetheless
—Fireiria
I liked this, despite it's brevity. You protect those you love!
—Jeff
Short and sweet. A nice twist on the original.
—Hetgurph
