Galatea

One of my reading quirks that often surprises people is that I do not like mythology. I’m not sure what it is, but all those stories about gods and goddesses go in one ear and out the other–I can’t seem to process all of the magic and mysticism (it’s probably why I also avoid high fantasy, but I can manage fantasy that’s more grounded in realistic settings).

Anyway, all this to say that countless readers have recommended Madeline Miller to me, but I’ve avoided her books. I figured this 46-minute short story was a good way to give her a try. Galatea is a retelling of the tale of Pygmalion and Galatea, from Galatea’s perspective. She is a statue brought to life by her husband, who expects her to be obedient. When she resists, he has her locked away–but she has a daughter to save. This short little tale of misogyny, female rage, and motherhood packs an emotional punch.

I’m not sure if this convinced me to pick up Miller’s other books, but I did enjoy it more than I expected. The story felt modern (though the time and exact setting were vague), and telling it from Galatea’s perspective brought the characters closer than any other myth has done for me before. A worthwhile little listen.