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infectedarea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Death
shaleen64's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ordinarily a book that poses questions and then leaves them unanswered is frustrating. However, in this instance it leads you to the point of the book which is to consider what makes a human, human. Aside from dystopian it is difficult to define the genre of this book however I think it’s a book most readers should read as it is unlike anything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Suicide, and Miscarriage
ddaria's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Very unusual book, but I loved it. Would have thought that it would leave me unsatisfied but actually the questions unanswered were what made this such a special and kind of philosophical read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
nreyno's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicide, Cancer, and Confinement
kmaffett's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Cancer
archaicrobin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all, if you’re someone that needs answers I’d caution you on reading this one. Everything is ambiguous and speculative and there are no clear cut answers or revelations, only theories. I love speculative fiction and while I do love answers, I can still appreciate a good book that gives you nothing but questions.
I Who Have Never Known men is a feminist dystopian tale from the 90s that starts with questions and ends with questions, all asked and attempted to be answered by the main character who has no name and is only referred to as “the child”. She is the youngest of 40 women trapped in a cage, in an unknown location, tormented by unknown men, for unknown reasons, until one day…. They’re not.
This one kept me reading in hopes of figuring out what was going on, and what felt at first felt like your normal dystopian quickly turns into a speculative story about what it means to be a human. I loved this one and am still thinking about it!
I Who Have Never Known men is a feminist dystopian tale from the 90s that starts with questions and ends with questions, all asked and attempted to be answered by the main character who has no name and is only referred to as “the child”. She is the youngest of 40 women trapped in a cage, in an unknown location, tormented by unknown men, for unknown reasons, until one day…. They’re not.
This one kept me reading in hopes of figuring out what was going on, and what felt at first felt like your normal dystopian quickly turns into a speculative story about what it means to be a human. I loved this one and am still thinking about it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Abandonment, Confinement, and Death
m_a_j's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, and Cancer
Minor: Blood, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Sexual content
kenziebeth's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
ratb4g's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Started very strong. Slowly turned into a long, repetitive exploration of a boring world with boring characters, asking interesting questions that are never answered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
cspa's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, where to start? I Who Have Never Known Men, is such a consuming story for a tale that give no answers.
The story follows an unnamed narrator from her earliest memories to her final days. She entered the bunker at such a young age that she has no recollection of the world before it. The women captured with her also lack memories of their abduction, creating a stark contrast with the protagonist. She feels isolated and alienated due to her inability to comprehend their perspectives and her young age inhibiting her from seeing their situation as anything other than normal.
As she grew, she discovered that the bunker's strict rules molded her aversion to touch, emotions, and softness, all enforced by the silent, vigilant guards' cracking whips. Despite the women's desire to console her as a child, they were restricted from any physical contact, along side the complex realization that her presence evoked memories of their own separated children. She initially believed they were withholding knowledge from her, only to realize the limitations imposed by their confined environment.
It is only when a twist of fate grants them freedom that she comprehends the extent of her captivity, yet she maintains her spirit and curiosity. Her distinctiveness from the other women allows her to perceive beyond the expected and assumed societal norms of their past.
This apocalyptic/otherworldly setting that when breached seems no different from our own lacks the diversity of seasons and broad landscapes. Traversing through this gripping and heart-wrenching narrative is engrossing. The voice of "the child" resonates strongly, and Harpman's skill in maintaining suspense in a seemingly plotless narrative is captivating. The transition from a clinical writing style within the bunker to vivid descriptions outside, where she encounters new experiences, is particularly striking.
Reflecting on the story, a quote from the book in another review caught my attention. Initially overlooked, it was actually from the beginning pages, where she recounts her journey – a subtle yet remarkable revelation as I revisited these pages with newfound understanding.
I observed a few outdated beliefs held by some older women, highlighting the stark contrast with the budding philosophy of our young narrator. For instance, one captive's view was, “Men mean you are alive, child. What are we without a future, without children? The last link in a broken chain.” However, our main character's unique situation, devoid of interaction with men, challenged this notion. She found joy in simple pleasures, becoming a crucial link in others' salvation. Another belief centered around beauty solely for men, yet later in the story, women found beauty and love among themselves. Even early, on when exploring her own body she discovered an overwhelming sensation she described as an "explosion," which can only be accomplished through self-pleasure but has little understanding of it and the women won't provide an explanation. However, later on in the book when she does get a little clarification, it's told in a very clinical sense... a very heteronormative rational. Though, her indifference was understandable, considering her upbringing and discomfort with physical contact.
Amidst the multitude of thought-provoking questions and the remarkable achievements of these women, there lies a profound sense of sisterhood and love, even in the midst of trauma and grief. Hope and despair claim this book, and though, the story is incredibly sorrowful and disheartening, it also embodies resilience and determination.
Highly recommend.
The story follows an unnamed narrator from her earliest memories to her final days. She entered the bunker at such a young age that she has no recollection of the world before it. The women captured with her also lack memories of their abduction, creating a stark contrast with the protagonist. She feels isolated and alienated due to her inability to comprehend their perspectives and her young age inhibiting her from seeing their situation as anything other than normal.
As she grew, she discovered that the bunker's strict rules molded her aversion to touch, emotions, and softness, all enforced by the silent, vigilant guards' cracking whips. Despite the women's desire to console her as a child, they were restricted from any physical contact, along side the complex realization that her presence evoked memories of their own separated children. She initially believed they were withholding knowledge from her, only to realize the limitations imposed by their confined environment.
It is only when a twist of fate grants them freedom that she comprehends the extent of her captivity, yet she maintains her spirit and curiosity. Her distinctiveness from the other women allows her to perceive beyond the expected and assumed societal norms of their past.
This apocalyptic/otherworldly setting that when breached seems no different from our own lacks the diversity of seasons and broad landscapes. Traversing through this gripping and heart-wrenching narrative is engrossing. The voice of "the child" resonates strongly, and Harpman's skill in maintaining suspense in a seemingly plotless narrative is captivating. The transition from a clinical writing style within the bunker to vivid descriptions outside, where she encounters new experiences, is particularly striking.
Reflecting on the story, a quote from the book in another review caught my attention. Initially overlooked, it was actually from the beginning pages, where she recounts her journey – a subtle yet remarkable revelation as I revisited these pages with newfound understanding.
I observed a few outdated beliefs held by some older women, highlighting the stark contrast with the budding philosophy of our young narrator. For instance, one captive's view was, “Men mean you are alive, child. What are we without a future, without children? The last link in a broken chain.” However, our main character's unique situation, devoid of interaction with men, challenged this notion. She found joy in simple pleasures, becoming a crucial link in others' salvation. Another belief centered around beauty solely for men, yet later in the story, women found beauty and love among themselves. Even early, on when exploring her own body she discovered an overwhelming sensation she described as an "explosion," which can only be accomplished through self-pleasure but has little understanding of it and the women won't provide an explanation. However, later on in the book when she does get a little clarification, it's told in a very clinical sense... a very heteronormative rational. Though, her indifference was understandable, considering her upbringing and discomfort with physical contact.
Amidst the multitude of thought-provoking questions and the remarkable achievements of these women, there lies a profound sense of sisterhood and love, even in the midst of trauma and grief. Hope and despair claim this book, and though, the story is incredibly sorrowful and disheartening, it also embodies resilience and determination.
Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Kidnapping, Death, Terminal illness, Misogyny, and Medical trauma