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A review by octopus_farmer
The Power by Naomi Alderman
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was gripping to read, especially with the frame narratives of the letters and the "artifacts". I also liked how it avoided gender essentialism in the violence and horror of the story. I hadn't expected quite so many rape attempts, but it made a sort of sense for the discussion of gendered violence at hand, and the failed attempts did make the last rape in the refugee camp much more horrific. I don't know if I'll read it again. I certainly wouldn't recommend this as a light-hearted speculative book.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical trauma, and Suicide
Minor: Excrement and Trafficking