Scan barcode
curles_and_curves's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
zfeig's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really interesting exploration of the interaction between power and human nature.
I want to disagree with the author's overall conclusion that strength is the ability to do harm, and the immediate response to having strength is to cause harm. But disagreeing feels like a bit of a hard sell these days.
In addition to the deeper themes, it's also just a nice girl power read with a unique science/magic twist.
I want to disagree with the author's overall conclusion that strength is the ability to do harm, and the immediate response to having strength is to cause harm. But disagreeing feels like a bit of a hard sell these days.
In addition to the deeper themes, it's also just a nice girl power read with a unique science/magic twist.
leenaduwaik's review against another edition
5.0
The power
If I’m more honest about my rating, it would be four stars, but I wanted to give five because I appreciated the novelty of the concept behind the story. Imagine: if females weren’t the physically weaker sex, what would happen to the patriarchy? What would happen to female-male dynamics? What would happen in countries that have gender inequality?
*spoiler*
The conclusion that it reaches is a dismal truth; people do horrible things because they can, because they have the power to, and it doesn’t really matter which gender is in control.
If I’m more honest about my rating, it would be four stars, but I wanted to give five because I appreciated the novelty of the concept behind the story. Imagine: if females weren’t the physically weaker sex, what would happen to the patriarchy? What would happen to female-male dynamics? What would happen in countries that have gender inequality?
*spoiler*
The conclusion that it reaches is a dismal truth; people do horrible things because they can, because they have the power to, and it doesn’t really matter which gender is in control.
elmerallanpoe's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carebcut's review against another edition
3.0
While hard to read because of so many descriptions of violence, this critique of human systems (i.e. governments, extreme religion, patriarchy/matriarchy, fear of “the other”) will stay with me for awhile. I agree with Alderman’s conclusion that no matter who has power, they are eventually consumed/controlled by it.
Interestingly, towards the end of the book Alderman shows the fallacy of thinking “if only these people/gender were in charge, then everything would be better.” But would it? Eventually wouldn’t even those people also succumb to the enticements of power and the fight to keep it above all else?
Interestingly, towards the end of the book Alderman shows the fallacy of thinking “if only these people/gender were in charge, then everything would be better.” But would it? Eventually wouldn’t even those people also succumb to the enticements of power and the fight to keep it above all else?
mjsharif's review against another edition
3.0
Stumbled across this one. Like many others have written, this is an incredibly difficult book to rate. I wish that I could give it 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because we're talking about books.
The strongest takeaway for this inventive and yet hauntingly allegorical novel is that it doesn't just highlight injustice or try to outline it, but instead takes it outside the lines of the figurative script. This is the most interesting part of the book and is mostly dealt with at the end.
That said, the text does feel--although inarguably emotionally deft--experimental and at times what can only be described as sketchy. This is my largest critique. But for a novel that places its premise in a bit of creative surrealism, the disbelief manages to fly far enough under the radar.
The strongest takeaway for this inventive and yet hauntingly allegorical novel is that it doesn't just highlight injustice or try to outline it, but instead takes it outside the lines of the figurative script. This is the most interesting part of the book and is mostly dealt with at the end.
That said, the text does feel--although inarguably emotionally deft--experimental and at times what can only be described as sketchy. This is my largest critique. But for a novel that places its premise in a bit of creative surrealism, the disbelief manages to fly far enough under the radar.
janada59's review against another edition
2.0
As a Margaret Atwood fan I wanted to like this one, as it was favourably compared to her books, but nothing about it grabbed me. It felt a little forced in the reading and like it was trying too hard.
smite2000's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Hate crime, War, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Violence
robbiewardhaugh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I hated this book, then I loved this book, then I hated it, then I loved it??? Idk I’m confused by if I liked it or not - it I’ll think about it for a long time I think.