Short story. I enjoyed Circe and Galatea and was super excited to read this one. Many others were too. There was a four-year gap between Galatea and this book since the author suffers from long COVID which affects how and when she can work.
Pretty harrowing read. Divine caprice, sexual assault, misogyny, toxic parents, toxic heteronormativity, narcissism, cannibalism, you name it. The writing is extremely crisp with not a word out of place. I was reminded of those origami solar panels that are super-compact to store but unfold into useful objects several times larger. Satisfying ending.
Intrusive thought was the short-lived show Manimal which my 10-year old self thoroughly enjoyed.
I wondered how obscure the character was among those who appreciate Greek Mythology. Couldn’t find anything on why Ms. Miller, trained in the classics and dramaturgy, chose this particular one.
Thought I’d look up Mestra’s (absolutely awful) dad for no reason and discovered a trove of bases for future passwords one may have to remember by heart:
Erysichthon was the son of King Triopas possibly by Hiscilla, daughter of Myrmidon and thus, brother of Iphimedeia and Phorbas. In some accounts, however, he was called instead the son of Myrmidon possibly by Peisidice, daughter of Aeolus and Enarete, and thus, brother to Antiphus, Actor, Dioplethes, Eupolemeia and possibly Hiscilla as well.