Mrs Caliban

by Rivka Galchen
Mrs Caliban cover
Good Books rating 4.19
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  • ID: 3411
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

Mrs. Caliban is a slim surrealist masterpiece that tells the story of a romance between a lonely housewife and an amphibious humanoid named Larry. The book is a unique blend of suburban malaise, romance tropes, and genuine strangeness, making it a profoundly rare experience.

Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls is a unique book with an unusual publication history. First published in 1982, it tells the story of a romance between a lonely housewife named Dorothy and an amphibious humanoid named Larry. The book is a slim surrealist masterpiece that blends elements of suburban malaise, romance tropes, and genuine strangeness. Dorothy, a broken woman trapped in a bad marriage, finds solace and understanding in Larry, who has escaped from a research institute after being tortured. Their relationship is based on mutual healing and understanding, making it a deeply moving and unusual love story. The book has been praised for its unique style and has garnered a cult following over the years. It is a perfect novel that stands alone in its genre, offering a rare and profound experience of encountering genuine strangeness.

Quick quotes

    The slim surrealist masterpiece is the story of a romance between a lonely housewife and (stick with me here) an amphibious humanoid named Larry.

    You know, it’s wonderful to see another world.

    There is nothing else out there that is “like” it, or even close.

kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
haunting 4.00

Mrs. Caliban is a haunting and surreal exploration of loneliness and connection, blending elements of fantasy and reality. The novel's unique narrative and emotional depth make it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

Mrs. Caliban is a novel that defies easy categorization, blending elements of fantasy, horror, and psychological drama. The story follows a woman who forms a deep connection with a mysterious creature, exploring themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for meaning. The novel's surreal and dreamlike quality creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships is what truly sets this book apart, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read. The unique narrative structure and the way it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy add to its intrigue, making it a standout work in the genre.

Quick quotes

    The novel's surreal and dreamlike quality creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.

    The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships is what truly sets this book apart.

    The unique narrative structure and the way it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy add to its intrigue.

ew.com · Unknown · 2018-01-26
brilliant 4.50

Mrs. Caliban, a reissued novella by Rachel Ingalls, is a brilliant and ethereal interspecies romance that has gained a cult following among famous authors. The book, praised for its contemporary themes of power, gender, and sexuality, is a complex and entertaining classic that resonates deeply with readers.

Mrs. Caliban, originally published in 1982 and recently reissued by New Directions, is a slim yet masterfully written novella that has captivated the literary community. The story of a lonely woman and an amphibious creature has been praised by authors like John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates, and its reissue comes with an introduction by Rivka Galchen. The book's journey to reissue is a testament to its enduring appeal, as it was discovered by Galchen and subsequently loved by everyone at the publishing house. Mrs. Caliban stands out for its contemporary themes and its ability to blend the macabre with the poignant, making it a complex and entertaining classic. Its feminist core and romantic elements, combined with its dreamy surrealism, make it a perfect recipe for an enduring classic that offers solace and enlightenment.

Quick quotes

    The slim, ethereal, masterfully written book would seem like an odd fit for a reprint, given its relative obscurity, were it not a cult favorite among so many famous authors.

    It makes you wonder what was going on when _Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland_ came out.

    The romantic fable, which blends the macabre and the poignant, deftly poses the kind of questions about power, gender, and sexuality that are dominating the present cultural conversation.

latimes.com · Unknown · 2017-12-01
intriguing 3.75

Mrs. Caliban is a short novel that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and romance, offering a unique and compelling exploration of gender roles, mental health, and human nature. The story of a housewife falling in love with a frog-like humanoid is both witty and thought-provoking, though it takes a dramatic turn into melodrama. The book's relevance and depth make it a standout piece of literature.

Mrs. Caliban is a novel that defies easy categorization, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and romance in a way that feels both familiar and entirely new. The story begins with a witty and insightful exploration of gender roles and societal expectations, as a neglected housewife named Dorothy encounters a giant, frog-like humanoid named Larry. Their relationship is both tender and unsettling, offering a unique perspective on love and human connection. However, the novel takes a dramatic turn into melodrama, which some readers may find jarring. Despite this, the book's depth and relevance make it a standout piece of literature. The ending, in particular, is thought-provoking and open to interpretation, leaving readers to ponder the relationship between reality and imagination. The fact that this novel was written in 1982 and remains so relevant today is a testament to its enduring power and the skill of its author, Rachel Ingalls.

Quick quotes

    this is a book about a woman falling in love with a frog man, and somehow that was not the most silly and unrealistic part.

    Oh, wow. This is not your average human/monster romance. I totally understand why this landed on the BBMC’s “top 20 American novels of the post-World War II period.

    It’s one of the best tongue-in-cheek social satires that I’ve ever read. It delves into gender politics. It takes a long, hard look at mental health. It addresses female sexual freedom and agency. It asks the reader to examine what it means to be human.

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