The Refrigerator Monologues

''The Refrigerator Monologues'' is a 2017 superhero fiction novel by Catherynne Valente, with art by Annie Wu, exploring the lives - and deaths - of superheroines, and of the girlfriends of superheroes; the title refers to "Women in Refrigerators",In The Refrigerator Monologues, Catherynne M. Valente gives comics’ dead women their voices back
by Constance Grady, at Vox; published May 31, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018 and to ''The Vagina Monologues''.The Refrigerator Monologues
reviewed by Gwenda Bond, at ''Publishers Weekly''; published April 17, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018 It was published by Saga Press.

Synopsis

In a corner of the afterlife, six women meet on a regular basis to commiserate and share their stories. They have all been involved in the world of superheroes and suffered because of it, facing various forms of sexism from heroes and villains alike. Their afterlife, Deadtown, is a mix between a pleasant bohemian neighborhood and a forbidding necropolis. It is populated by a race of friendly, cultured gargoyles who do their best to take care of the ghosts. People frequently leave Deadtown (either willingly or unwillingly) due to the unreliable nature of comic book deaths. They enjoy extinct food and forgotten culture, sharing their stories in order to pass the time. Everyone in Deadtown is forced to wear the clothes they were buried in, even if those clothes say nothing about their real natures.

Each woman is a parody of a famous character from the mainstream Marvel or DC universe, retelling their famous storylines from a new, feminist perspective. Their group is known as the Hell Hath Club, with Paige Embry (an alternate version of Gwen Stacy) serving as the primary keeper of their stories and the group's unofficial leader. She also provides connecting narration for each of the stories. The novella examines the double standards of superheroics, along with the "Women in Refrigerators" practice of killing or torturing female characters in order to assist male character development. The characters consider themselves "released" from the dark and painful world of superhero storylines, ending the book with a punk rock celebration.

Reception

''Publishers Weekly'' called it "dazzling", "brilliantly furious", and "a rage-filled pleasure", and noted that "no comic book expertise is required" — although the ''Portland Press-Herald'' felt that it "depends a great deal on an insider's knowledge of comic book lore for maximum enjoyment".Well-placed outrage makes ‘The Refrigerator Monologues’ an entertaining read
by Michael Berry, in the ''Portland Press-Herald''; published June 4, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018

''Den of Geek'' described it as "cathartically angry", and commended the "vivid, specific voice" of each character.The Refrigerator Monologues Review
by Kayti Burt, at ''Den of Geek''; published July 6, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018 '' Vox'' stated that it was "bitingly sarcastic and wistfully regretful, and always ferociously angry".In The Refrigerator Monologues, Catherynne M. Valente gives comics’ dead women their voices back
by Constance Grady, at '' Vox''; published May 31, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018 ''Kirkus Reviews'' judged it to be "entertaining but not a romp", and "ruthless but absorbing and provocative",THE REFRIGERATOR MONOLOGUES
reviewed at ''Kirkus Reviews''; published April 2, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018 while ''the Washington Post'' considered it to be "entertaining but heavy-handed".Best science fiction and fantasy books to read this month
by Everdeen Mason, at ''the Washington Post''; published June 5, 2017; retrieved March 15, 2018

Origins

Valente was inspired to write the book as a result of her anger at the death of Gwen Stacy in the 2014 film ''The Amazing Spider-Man 2''.The Refrigerator Strikes Back: ''The Refrigerator Monologues''
by Catherynne M. Valente; at the Mary Sue; published December 20, 2016; retrieved March 15, 2018

Adaptation

In December 2018, Amazon Studios announced that Shauna Cross was developing a pilot episode for an adaptation of ''The Refrigerator Monologues'', to be titled "Deadtown".Amazon Sparks To Shauna Cross eOne Hourlong Female Superhero Saga ‘Deadtown’
by Mike Fleming, Jr., at ''Deadline Hollywood''; published December 7, 2018; retrieved December 7, 2018

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Refrigerator Monologues, The
Novels by Catherynne M. Valente
Superhero novels
Saga Press books
2017 American novels