The Refrigerator Monologues

Locations
Call Number: Science Fiction / Valente, Catherynne, Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Valente, Catherynne	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M	4-week checkout	On Shelf

"From the New York Times bestselling author Catherynne Valente comes a series of linked stories from the points of view of the wives and girlfriends of superheroes, female heroes, and anyone who's ever been "refrigerated": comic book women who are killed, raped, brainwashed, driven mad, disabled, or had their powers taken so that a male superhero's storyline will progress. In an entirely new and original superhero universe, Valente explores these ideas and themes in the superhero genre, treating them with the same love, gravity, and humor as her fairy tales. After all, superheroes are our new fairy tales and these six women have their own stories to share"-- Provided by publisher.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Searing Commentary submitted by Meginator on August 13, 2017, 8:42pm This collection of linked short stories takes place in a compelling superhero universe and offers sharp commentary on the superhero stories we are more used to. Despite the decidedly pointed criticisms of comics' general treatment of female characters, the stories are easy to read and surprisingly subtle. Valente strikes an excellent balance between food for thought and entertainment, and the result is a fantastic book.

Take that, Marvel/DC submitted by eknapp on August 26, 2020, 9:58pm Kind of a feminist deconstruction of certain superhero comic book tropes. The term 'refrigerated women' refers to all the secondary female comics characters who've been killed, maimed, or driven insane as plot devices in service of male heroes. In The Refrigerator Monologues, six such women narrate their sad, pissed-off stories from a hip, modern Underworld.

First, the skins Valente uses to disguise-but-not-really the various heroes and victims of the comics universe...marvelous. The millionaire playboy who dons body armor and fights crime in Guignol City? Grimdark, of course. Grimdark's clownish nemesis breaks out of Sarkorum Asylum on a regular basis to murder, slaughter, and kill. I also recognized Gwen Stacy and Dark Phoenix characters. And I THINK the Avant Garde--seven people granted powers by spirits of art--are supposed to be analagous to Green Lantern. Chiaroscuro brings 2D images to life in three dimensions, Still Life stops time, etc. The rest of the characters I leave to those better versed in superherodom.

Valente is also an extremely witty writer and a very fun read. (Although in one chapter she hews too closely to the annoying comics style responsible for the hate side of my love/hate relationship with superheroes.)

Overall great experience.

sharp and very well written submitted by apknapp on July 3, 2023, 9:13am Excellent skewering of the disposable woman trope, from the women's perspectives. Perfectly enjoyable even if you're not particularly into Marvel/DC.