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Galatea  By  cover art

Galatea

By: Madeline Miller
Narrated by: Ruth Wilson
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Publisher's summary

An enchanting short story from Madeline Miller that boldly reimagines the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion, now in audio for the first time

**Performed by Ruth Wilson and featuring an afterword by Madeline Miller**

In ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece—the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen—the gift of life. After marrying her, he expects Galatea to please him, to be obedience and humility personified. But she has desires of her own and yearns for independence.

In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, Galatea is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost . . . With a spellbinding performance by Ruth Wilson (His Dark Materials, The Affair), step back into Madeline Miller's mythic world.

©2022 Madeline Miller (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Galatea

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So relevant

This story speaks to the issues that women still deal with to this day. It heartbreakingly highlights these timeless struggles.

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Haunting & Excellent!

Loved this short story. The message was very clear. Really enjoy this author and reader.

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1 person found this helpful

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A Classic Myth Comes to Life

A Classic Myth Comes to Life

A modern day retelling of a classic myth about a statue that comes to life.

Ruth Wilson's narration is excellent.

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Fantastic reimagining

A short but vivid look at a classic myth- wonderfully reimagined in a way that provides voice to a voiceless character lifting up womanhood and personhood simultaneously. Absolutely remarkable.

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9 people found this helpful

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Always a pleasure

Always a pleasure - Madeline Miller never disappoints. A great story and a terrific performance from Ruth Wilson.

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4 people found this helpful

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YES!!!

I initially wished it was longer, but likely didn’t need any more of the tragic circumstances—but the strength, wracked with such sadness. Powerful! In short—beautifully written and perfectly satisfying.

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7 people found this helpful

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A favorite short story of this year

Madeline Miller is one of my favorite writers. Como siempre, su narración es envolvente y profundamente conectada con las vivencias femeninas. En ella mezcla elementos fantásticos con arquetipos de manera súper inteligente y corona con desenlaces bien armados y que satisfacen la búsqueda de sus personajes. I look forward to reading more from her.

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Another brilliant updated mythical tale by Madeline Miller! Ruth Wilson was also brilliant!

Madeline Miller's "Circe" and "The Song of Achilles" are two of the best, most beautiful modern mythical stories I've ever read. I liked "The Song of Achilles" better than "The Iliad." I was not surprised her short story "Galatea" was also brilliant, poetic, profound, and emotionally deep. I loved its feminist view from Galatea's eyes of how misogynistic, abusive, and cruel Pygmalion would be in reality. It felt much more real and gave me more of an emotional gut punch than its traditional Ovid myth. Ruth Wilson is one of the best British actresses working today! I loved her in "The Affair" and "Luther." Ruth was also brilliant, just like Madeline, in bringing Galatea to life and warmth. The statue-turned-woman felt much more human and worthy of love than her cold, cruel creator. I eagerly wait for Madeline Miller's next brilliant work. She deserves many literary prizes.

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Madeline can write a phone book and I will read it.

The only complain I have for this book is it’s so short. However Madeline is so good at retelling the story from female perspective but at the same time so gripping like the marble status actually came to life. I re read this many times.

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Fabulous story brought to life

An amazing story that has always packed a punch but is now brought to life in an even more special way by an amazing narrator. This story will stay with you for a while.

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