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This engaging tale by acclaimed author Madeline Miller offers an imaginative retelling of Ovid’s Pygmalion. In this story, a sculptor becomes infatuated with a woman he has intricately carved from ivory. According to Miller, she is literature’s first incarnation of an “incel”.
First published in 2013
, Miller’s narrative opens with Galatea, whose name symbolizes her milky white complexion, under the care of a concerned medic. Galatea explains, “I’m always this color because I used to be made of stone.”
As the story unfolds, we discover that Galatea’s husband, intentionally unnamed, fervently prayed to bring his sculpture of a flawless, nude woman to life. One day, he realizes his creation has warmth and has come to life. However, his initial fascination turns to frustration when he notices Galatea has her own thoughts and desires. Reflecting on her husband’s reaction, Galatea says, “I don’t think he expected me to speak,” and he decides to confine her under constant medical supervision. When Galatea becomes pregnant with their child, Paphos, her husband’s anger flares up upon seeing stretch marks on her belly. He cruelly tells her, “If you were stone, I would chisel them off.”
The renowned actor Ruth Wilson brings Miller’s luminous prose to life with her narration. She effectively conveys Galatea’s disgust towards her husband’s physical demands and her realization that she must rely on her own strength to attain freedom. Galatea’s gripping and intense revenge against her captor is both exhilarating and satisfying.
Galatea by Madeline Miller is available from Bloomsbury, 46min
Further listening
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Chris
van Tulleken, Penguin Audio, 11hr
35min
The doctor and TV presenter, Chris van Tulleken, uncovers the secrets of mass-produced food that drive us to consume more, leading to tooth decay and obesity.
The Romantic
William Boyd, Penguin Audio, 17hr
21min
This captivating audiobook, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, delves into the life of a 19th-century Irish traveler through a fictionalized biography by Scottish novelist William Boyd.
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