Mrs Caliban : Book review


Book review

Title: Mrs Caliban
Author: Rachel Ingalls
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Mrs Calliban is an intriguing portrait of a woman who is confined to her domesticity until she meets the monster man. 

Our protagonist is Dorothy whose marriage is on the rocks. After suffering from miscarriage and death of her son, her husband Fred begins to distance himself from her. Citing late nights and long hours at work, he is suspected of having an affair. Dorothy is stressed and begins to hear strange messages in the radio. 

One fine day she hears a bizarre news of an Aquarius monster man who has escaped from its keepers. Things take a different turn when this monster man lands up at her place. A bond develops between Dorothy and the monster man who prefers to be called Larry. We also see other characters like Dorothy and Fred’s friends who are battling some kind of complexities as well. 

The story is written in close third person from the point of view of Dorothy. We are privy to her mundane life until the appearance of Larry. It unfolds into many layers examining the dynamics of a strained marriage, love, longing and loneliness. 

While it isn’t explicit, it can be debated if Larry actually exists in reality or just a figment of imagination in Dorothy’s head. It’s sort of a realist meets magical realism sort of a tale. Themes of betrayal and death are touched upon here. There are similarities between Larry and Dorothy’s characters. Both experience a sense of alienation and isolation. This genesis tends to remind you of the Oscar winning movie- The Shape of water. 

Mrs Calliban is an intriguing and interesting read. It explores the fine lines between grief and joy, real and fantastical elements.

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