Galatea (2024)

Haunting and brutal. Madeline Miller owns my mythology-loving ass.

I'd give 5 stars to Madeline Miller's grocery list.

3.5 ⭐️
this is the only accurate story of Galatea in existence. everything else is simply inaccurate and misleading

Galatea is a brutal and icy feminist spin on the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea told from the perspective of the statue, which can be read as a cautionary tale aimed at men who like their women to be ‘pure’, docile and mute: unless it comes in the guise of a tasty mottled cake, marble is cold and can weigh you down – just like a yearning for perfection can.

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
(Samuel Johnson)

A Great Stocking Stuffer!

This is a modern retelling of a Greek myth, a short story that carries an emotional punch.

Once upon a time, Galatea was a marble sculpture. Her husband loved her so much that the goddess turned the sculpture into a real-life person. However, relationships with people are oh so much more complicated than a relationship with an inanimate object.

In this story, Galatea is never mentioned by name which adds to the haunting quality of this book.

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‘Everyone would be happy, except for me.’

Retellings of Greek mythology are having quite their day in the sun lately, largely in part to author’s such as Madeline Miller crafting such engaging stories that play with the original myths while also making them feel very modern. Books like Circe or The Song of Achilles bridge time to show how the themes are still very relevant today and have a throughline of feminist examination that really catches hold. Galatea is a short story by Miller that dives into the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea from the perspective of Galatea, the former statue brought to life. This is not what you remember from Ovid but something that becomes original and unique in Miller's prose. First published in 2013, then included in xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths it is now receiving a stand-alone 2022 publication as a gorgeous little hardback volume. Short but full of lasting power and insight, Galatea examines misogyny in its forms of abuse, control and the oppression of unrealistic expectations of beauty as well as Galatea’s role as a mother trying to provide care and love, and is a lovely little read.

‘Haven’t you ever touched a statue?’

The story of Galatea, the statue come to life as a wish fulfilled by Aphrodite for the young sculptor Pygmalion, has long influenced art through the ages with sculptures so lifelike they seem on the verge of life becoming a common trope such as in Shakespeare’s The Winter's Tale. In fact, the 1964 musical My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn is only two retellings removed from the myth of Galatea by way of playwright George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Miller’s approach to the story by placing us in the mind of Galatea makes her existence less romanticized by showing how concepts of ownership and expectations of beauty are stifling to her. Her very fluid and confessional prose presents the story in a way where the setting could be anywhere, and though it is presumably still in the setting of the original tale, the vagueness and modern feel to the language allow it to seem like it could be occurring in the modern world as well. It is effective as it demonstrates that the themes in the story have been issues for women throughout all of history and linger today.

‘­People began to talk about the sculptor’s wife, and how strange she was, and how such beauty comes only from the gods.’

Having been created by her husband, his sense of ownership over her is rather oppressive. Though it is almost more metaphorical about the patriarchal ideas that wives are the property of men as his behavior is very typical of any jealous husband. For instance, he fires the tutor for looking at her and is angered Galatea was aware of his gaze and did nothing, the irony being that she knows everyone looks at her because she is a curiosity and he formed her to be the most beautiful woman alive. When he notices marks on her due to having carried a child, he wishes he could chisel them away despite her remark that it is a natural part of life. Beauty, in his eyes, must be unrealistic perfection, and any aspect of the beauty that is found in reality, where imperfections are also lovely, he rejects because it does not serve his idealized expectations.

His insistence for her to be compliant and grateful is incongruous with the reality of her being an independent woman with an interior life and not merely a statue who’s entire identity is bent towards serving his desire:

‘The thing is, I don’t think my husband expected me to be able to talk. I don’t blame him for this exactly, since he had known me only as a statue, pure and beautiful and yielding to his art. Naturally, when he wished me to live, that’s what he wanted still, only warm so that he might f*ck me. But it does seem foolish that he didn’t think it through, how I could not both live and still be a statue.’

There is also an interesting, albeit brief, element that while the choice over reproductive rights and agency is a hotly debated political topic and women are often shamed and ostracized for making difficult choices, there is no social stigma against men who do not want to have children.

While we watch Galatea being denied any agency in her life and accepting a lot of abuse and made to feel it is for her own good (when Pygmalion hurts her and notices the color of the bruises left behind, he tells her ‘You make the rarest canvas, love’), we also see her fight for the good of her daughter. The ending, which is rather darkly beautiful, is geared to the idea of protection, though retribution also inevitably factors in. In a way it is a call to break the cycles of abuse and ensure the coming generations are raised to know they do not need to accept the toxic behaviors that try to masquerade as love.

This is a brief story, easily read in a sitting, but it is such an excellent analysis of the original tale via a new narrative. I was extra excited to find this story as my community is currently doing a community read of Circe with Miller giving a talk and interview later this week. Quick, but full of insight, Galatea is a lovely little read.

3.5/5

When a marble sculptor in ancient Greece is blessed by a goddess who brings his latest masterpiece to life, he expects his creation – now his wife – to be nothing but obedient. But she has wants and desires of her own. Being kept under constant control and supervision, she is determined to rescue her daughter. No matter what it might cost her. I'll read anything Madeline Miller writes!

Galatea was quite an interesting concept and with a reimagining and retelling of the Greek Myth Pygmalion, it was sure to entice fans of Madelaine Miller. It was this premise and loving Miller’s previous works, Song of Achilles and Circe, that brought me to this short story.

Galatea is the sculptured statue of seemingly the most beautiful woman who is brought to life by the man who created and became obsessed with her. However the mortal life sees her virtually imprisoned by a husband who seeks to control her and brands her mad after several attempts to flee.

In short, Galatea was a story that was underwritten and underwhelming. There was no depth to the characters, little substance to the storyline and the underlying themes of objectifying women, domestic abuse and obsession with beauty and perfection, although powerful didn’t really get going.

It needed more of everything so much more. I just struggled to see the point of this book and would ask why the author who has written two fabulous books would spoil that reputation with this one.

This is a compelling and highly symbolic feminist retelling of an Ancient Greek story that I recommend most highly.

I’m always impressed by the writing of Madeline Miller. Her first book The Song of Achilles was a powerful and imaginative retelling of The Iliad. Her second novel Circe, however, was at a completely different level: it was simply fantastic in every way.

As such, I had extremely high expectations going into this and I’m very pleased to say they were met entirely. First off though, it’s important to note that this is a short story but it packs a very hefty punch. Galatea is a literary adaptation, a taking of an established story and retelling it and here it is done from a strong feminist perspective. Miller takes a piece of Ovid's Metamorphoses and gives it new life and agency.

Indeed, she takes an otherwise silent female character and gives her a voice and a story. Galatea was made from stone by a sculptor. He created her and prayed for her to come to life and his wish was granted by the gods. In Ovid’s version they get married and live happily ever after, but his narrative is problematic. What about Galatea wishes? Miller gives that consideration here. Galatea was physically made and sculped to be one man’s ideal: he made her to serve his every whim. It never occurred to him that maybe, just maybe, she might want something different from life.

What follows is a story of desperation and entrapment. Galatea, quite naturally, wants to escape from her overbearing creator and jailor. In this, he is the ultimate expression of the suffocating patriarchy which he represents. And without giving away the plot conclusion, it’s a forceful indictment of the terribleness of treating women like objects. I was impressed by the story’s closure. It was symbolic and it left a lasting image. Here Miller shows that her writing is on par with the likes of Margaret Atwood and Angela Carter when it comes to adapting stories and ideas.

So, this is a very strong short story. I would love to see more like it from Miller, a collection of them would certainly be great. For now, I will continue to read everything she writes.
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Love this writer, got to know her in last years with her books, most well known Circe but also The Song of Achilles, love her take on 'classical/mythical' stories. This story is wonderful and intriguing as well, for my taste this story could have been a full fletch book, the storyline is very suitable. So, much too short but then again, I love short stories too. Same dark and brooding character as her other books. Loved it. Too short. Hoping for a new book by this writer soon. Recommended. More thoughts later.... as usual.

For a short story, “Galatea” packs a wallop! I love Greek myths but they leave out much of the mortal emotions, and this book made Galatea’s story come alive. Her character is complex, independent, smart, and even funny. I thoroughly enjoyed Madeline Miller's fleshing-out of the relationship between Pygmalion and Galatea. Sure, she may seem better off being human... but she didn't ask for it, and she isn’t as happy as he thought she would be. Miller explored the cracks in Pygmalion’s personality and incorporated it into this retelling, making it more believable than the “happily ever after” promised in the original. This a sad story, but incredibly captivating and compelling.

3.5 rounded up!

Galatea by Madeline Miller is a brief reimagining of the Greek myth of Pygmalion. In the original story (found in Ovid’s Metamorphosis ) Pygmalion is a sculptor from Cyprus who falls in love with his ivory sculpture of a beautiful woman. Goddess Aphrodite grants his wish and bestows life on his creation. Pygmalion marries Galatea and they are assumed to live happily ever after. The myth has inspired numerous works of art, literature and productions on stage, on television and in movies. The Pygmalion Effect, a psychological phenomenon that links high expectations to increased productivity is also named after the Greek myth.

“Everyone looked at me, because I was the most beautiful woman in the town. I don’t say this to boast, because there is nothing in it to boast of. It was nothing I did myself.”

Madeline Miller’s feminist reimagining of the myth is dark and disturbing. Narrated from Galatea’s PoV, the story begins with her confined to a hospital bed, her plight a result of a failed effort to escape her controlling and obsessive husband with their daughter Paphos. Her husband visits her in her captivity, expecting her to conform to his wishes, keeping her away from her daughter, and informs her that he is working on a new sculpture of a young girl. Galatea feigns obedience all the while keenly observing her surroundings and planning her next move, ultimately leading to a shocking climax.

“The thing is, I don’t think my husband expected me to be able to talk. I don’t blame him for this exactly, since he had known me only as a statue, pure and beautiful and yielding to his art.”

Madeline Miller’s prose is elegant yet unflinchingly brutal. She turns the story around from a fairy-tale-like myth to the story of a woman trapped in a toxic, abusive relationship with a brutish husband. Miller portrays Pygmalion in an essentially unfavorable light, comparing his disgust for prostitutes and other women he has interacted with and his obsession with perfection and “pure” women who are capable of “blushing” to modern-day “incels”. Galatea’s bitterness, pain and rage are palpable as is her resolve to change the trajectory of her life. Given the short length of this story (the Kindle edition is a little over 50 pages), there isn’t much scope for exploring the characters or the myth in depth but overall this is a compelling read that I believe fans of feminist retellings of Greek myths would enjoy.

("Pygmalion and Galatea" by Laurent Pêcheux, 1784)

Galatea is a short stand-alone story and normally I wouldn't have bothered with it. However! This is a story by Madeline Miller we're talking about here, author of the brilliant novels Circe and The Song of Achilles. I will read anything and everything she writes. This might just be a short story but it too is brilliant. Galatea is a woman whose husband is a sculptor and who is sculpted by him into the perfect woman. Afterwards, a goddess brings her to life.. Galatea's husband keeps her captive, wanting to keep her as she is. to preserve this woman he sees as a possession, this woman who embodies his idea of the perfect woman. He seeks to control her in every way, body and mind. However, Galatea does not truly belong to him and cannot fully be contained and controlled. The story is an examination of society's idea of a perfect woman and the objectification of women. It might be brief, but it is powerful. Madeline Miller has such a gift with words, with creating real characters you immediately care about and identify with. 5 stars, though I wish I could give it more. It is a beautiful story that feels like a song.

*brilliant*

Questa recensione fa riferimento all'edizione curata da Sonzogno Editori.

Galatea è una statua greca trasformata in umana per soddisfare il desiderio del suo scultore Pigmalione. Questo libro è un viaggio nella mente di una donna molto consapevole di essere stata creata col solo scopo di compiacere un uomo. Donna, moglie e madre, senza che lei avesse voce in capitolo su nulla.
Ma se Pigmalione si aspetta di aver creato un essere servizievole, devoto e ubbidiente si sbaglia.

Ho amato questa edizione. Le illustrazioni a cura di Ambra Garlaschelli hanno reso un testo, che già era perfetto, in un'opera d'arte. Laddove non arriva la parola, arriva l'immagine.
Agonia e forza rappresentate in maniera così immediata ed eloquente, per quanto silenziosa, da lasciare senza fiato.

Temo possa essere un testo pesante e risultare addirittura noioso per i giovanissimi, quindi consiglio la lettura dai 16 anni.

Retelling of Pygmalion and Galatea. Instead of the original "happy" ending, we see what the feelings of the perfect woman, created from stone and bought to life, might be. Miller has taken a previously obedient character and shown her to be trapped, controlled and desperate, giving her (and Pygmalion) a far more fitting end!

Came across this one and was surprised to find a short story by Miller I hadn’t known about. I found the interpretation of Galatea’s story interesting, seeing how the transformation from statue to human might (or might not) fit into society. I didn’t entirely gather what was going on in the beginning with the visits from doctors etc, but it didn’t take long for the bizarre situation to feel like a “new normal”. I would’ve loved to see this as a full novel, but as a snippet of a retelling it proved to be an interesting one. Too short to gain any full attachment/strong opinions, but a fun idea to work with nonetheless.

"I felt him looking at me, admiring his work. He had not carved me like this, but he was imagining doing it. A beautiful statue, named The Supplicant. He could have sold me and lived like a king in Araby."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️Trigger Warning: Coarse language, domestic abuse, violence, body shaming⚠️

❗This review contains spoilers❗

I will forever and ever and ever love Madeline Miller. It's like she's incapable of writing anything less than perfect. She is absolutely amazing, even though she always rips my heart right out of my chest and crushes it between her fingers using only her words. It's the toxic kind of love between us but I could never walk away. It's why I based my bachelor's dissertation on her books. I mean, how could I not? They are masterpieces.

Yeap! Miller's done it again. In literally 20 little pages, she's made me fall in love with a new character, reminded me of a myth long lost in my memories, and reminded me of the woes of being a woman. If any of you think 'Oh, it's just a little story, 20 pages long, it couldn't possibly hurt me', then you're WRONG. So so wrong!!! Galatea's retelling destroyed me. There's nothing left of me, anymore. Galatea's story is a tragic one, the kind only Greeks and Madeline Miller like to write about (duuh), full of domestic violence, oppression, objectification, and most important of all, sweet sweet revenge. Galatea avenged herself and her daughter on that monstrous human filth, Pygmalion, like a godsdamned BADASS. She doomed herself too in the process but what else would you expect from Greek mythology...and Miller. It was all very heartbreaking and bittersweet...even though the story started with Galatea staring at a nurse's big, hairy mole 😅😅

Galatea is this brave, beautiful, intelligent person, surviving Pygmalion's wrath and oppression for so long, and trying to shield her daughter from him. She figured out how to manipulate him, to get him to do what she wanted without him realising, something she applied on others as well. Even though her first attempt at escaping his clutches with her daughter failed, the second time was final. She may have sacrificed herself to punish and end him, but she saved her daughter and the newest statue come alive, that of a disturbingly young girl, also created by Pygmalion for his own pleasure. There was nothing more satisfying than reading about her holding him tightly in place with her marble strength as they both sunk underwater and she watched him drown slowly, imagined him being feasted on by the aquatic life as she was left intact (because she's marble). But, also reading about her slowly feeling the cold creeping up her limbs and losing her senses. I cried, guys. I cried hard.

I am definitely mentioning this masterpiece on my paper!!

“I felt him looking at me, admiring his work. He had not carved me like this, but he was imagining doing it. A beautiful statue, named The Supplicant.”―Madeline Miller,Galatea

My review:

I have always adored Mythology. So when I saw this short story, a reimagined version of Pygmalion and Galatea I knew I had to read it.

This story was quite different than the original and quite sad. Actually bitterly sad. Galatea is a sweet and strong woman who is miserable under the relentless control of her husband. Pygmalion is an abusive and angry man who is jealous of everyone and everything his wife loves and keeps her locked away, a virtual prisoner after she tried to run from him once.

To be honest, while I was glad to read this, I didn't fall in love with it as others have said in their reviews they did. Not because it is not written beautifully and hauntingly which it is, but because it was shorter then I realized and over almost before it began. I'd have liked it more as a novella I think.

I'd still recommend it, especially to anyone who loves the original story or loves Mythology in general which I do. I would like to read more of this author's work. I have not read anything by her and I wonder if she has written any other reimagined Mythological fables. I'd love to see more so if anyone reading this knows of any, let me know. I'd love to see one about Echo and Narcissus and Atalanta and Meleager.

In any event, I did enjoy this sad little tale and the cover art is magnificent.3.5 stars.

A short story that packs a lot in!

Galatea is the wife of a sculptor, he made her from stone and then she was brought to life by the goddess.
However her husband doesn’t anticipate her coming to life with feelings and opinions - how inconvenient.

So he sticks her in what is effectively an asylum - where she is drugged and kept by doctors and nurses.

But Galatea isn’t willing to give up, so she hatches a plan to escape and exact revenge on her despicable husband.

I loved the authors note at the end which explained her inspiration from Pygmalion - a story referred to by Ovid in his Metamorphoses. In the original, Galatea isn’t even named. So Miller flips the tale on its head and portrays it for what it truly is - a misogynistic’s man’s attempt to control a woman for his own means.

So much covered in such a short story, I was blown away.

|| 4.0 stars ||

The classical myth of Galatea and Pygmalion is commonly known as an epic love story, but I found this retelling to be a much more realistic interpretation.
After all, it was Pygmalion's disdain for women and his belief that all of them were whor*s unworthy of his time that drove him to create his own "perfect" woman; first as a statue while later bringing her to life with the help of Aphrodite.
Taking that in mind, was I honestly meant to believe that, with a misogynistic and revolting motivation as that, he would have treated his "perfect" woman in any other way than what this story showed us? I think not. This is exactly the kind of man he would have been: a filthy, creepy, disgusting pig.
There was absolutely no love involved in any part of their story; only control, condescension and rape. Galatea was a victim, not a product of true love.

Madeline Miller tiene una forma muy particular de ver las historias míticas. Y eso es lo que más disfruto de leerla.

La historia de Galatea y Pigmalión siempre se ha visto como una historia de amor, pero en la actualidad, solo podemos encontrar misoginia y manipulación. Una gran reflexión sobre la importancia de ver las dos caras de la moneda.

Es un libro corto (se lee en max. 30 min), pero que no necesita de muchos párrafos para atraparte y moverte por dentro. Fue una historia triste y agonizante, con lo que me gustaría decir que fue un final feliz. Pero la verdad es que no.

Aunque eso si, siento que la traducción no es la mejor. La redacción es deficiente en algunas partes.

Lo disfruté mucho. Recomendado.

never have i hated someone as much as i hate Pygmalion. electric chair for this disgusting human feces pile, i'm sorry - well actually i'm not :)

Fajne na raz, ale wydanie tak małej książeczki wydaje się jedynie skokiem na kasę

"Haven't you ever touched a statue?"

A short, troubling story of a woman sculpted of stone, who is treated with disdain & cruelty by her creator.

"Why cannot I find a maiden such as this for my wife? Why must such perfection by marble & not flesh?"

The moral of the tale, even if you think a woman has a heart of stone, don't assume this to be the case. She could surprise you. And don't think she won't have her revenge.

Shout out to Aqsa! Seeing this on Aqsa's "to read" list caught my eye (or I'd never have heard of this gem).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I never liked the story of Galatea. No, that isn't true, actually. I liked the story but not the guy in it.

You see, what kind of man creates the perfect woman out of marble, obsessed with purity and perfection because real-life women have shunted or betrayed him (according to his statement, we never meet them)?!
A weak man, that's who.
Pygmalion is a pig, let's face it. It's why he wanted to create the perfect, virginal, obedient

This is the statue's, Galatea's, story from her point of view.

Madeline Miller really has a great way of bringing to life this ancient setting and weaving the myths we know and have read with her own thoughts, filling in the blanks, sometimes changing a few details in the process.

I very much loved this version, Galatea and her daughter, and suffered with Galatea through the ordeals brought on not only by her monstrous husband but also the other horrible people who were helping him.

The writing was once again enchanting but also not too oblique, the story itself a feminist take on yet another Greek myth penned by male authors who are so quick to tell you of tragic heroes suffering by the hands of wicked women - but the author still never demonizes men in general as so many feminists do (which drives me just as mad).

So much better than the other short story of hers I read today - might be because of how much I have thought about this myth in the past as opposed to the other.

Sadly, this short story doesn't seem to be available in print anywhere, but if you can, make sure to get your hands on it (you'll get the pun after having read the story).

Galatea è un racconto di dolore, (in)credibile dolore. Una settantina di pagine intrise di sofferenza e frustrazione per una condizione che, purtroppo, interessa ancora moltissime donne.

Il mito originale racconta la storia dello scultore Pigmalione che, avendo scolpito una statua di Afrodite talmente bella e perfetta da essere ammirata persino dagli dei, se ne innamora. Interviene Afrodite che, per ricompensare Pigmalione del magnifico omaggio, dà vita alla statua affinché Pigmalione e Galatea si possano amare.
E fin qui tutto okay.
Pigmalione ama Galatea ed è tutto ciò che importa, almeno nel XVIII secolo.

Ma Galatea ama Pigmalione? La vita con lui è la vita che sognava per sé stessa? È moglie libera e amata o donna trofeo della quale ci si stanca in fretta ed esiste solo in funzione della gelosia altrui?
Questi sono gli interrogativi dai quali parte Madeleine Miller per costruire il suo racconto denso e disturbante.

Le illustrazioni fanno veramente la differenza nella lettura e aumentano la carica emotiva già molto intensa.
Un ottimo lavoro editoriale.

Beautiful, horrifying, powerful

A story of such beauty and economy it left me breathless and stunned and yes, gratified in its conclusion. The power of her words to create a fully living woman was like the power of the sculptor to create the fully realized woman, Galatea. The goddess has gifted the author with the power of words, a power Madeline Miller uses to connect our world to the ancient world as if no time had passed at all.

I will read everything by Madeline Miller

A very short story of Galatea and Pygmalion. And in this retelling Paphos is a girl...

I wish it was longer. Anyway, the author always is so good in words. ♥️♥️♥️