Reviews

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

mesmerism's review against another edition

4.0

Not really any direct spoilers but this review does somewhat spoil the ending.

I had to come back and change my rating to this book.

When I read it, I found the premise fascinating but the story unforgivingly bleak with a complete refusal to offer any sense of satisfaction. I felt deflated at the end rather than nourished, hence my original 3 star rating.

However, I keep thinking of it and I think what I kind of hate about it is also what makes it great. The actual plot remains an enigma from start to finish and the author keeps us chasing a hope that never comes. It is extremely bittersweet and also existential. It gives you that horrible empty feeling of when you first have the thought that maybe nothing really means anything. In the moment I found that hard to appreciate and wanted to distance myself from it by reading something more enjoyable but after some time I decided it deserves a bit more respect.

anibani's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

shvf's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

rhdj's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

houseratss's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Found the concept interesting, but I wasn't really engaged. 

316bunny316's review against another edition

adventurous reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

sumaiyanaomi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

zeeydee's review against another edition

5.0

I don't think I'm ready to say anything...or ever will be.
Just read it.

binalaree's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective

4.0

astareads's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

4.0