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What Members Thought
Fantastic and timely concept, but the execution doesn't quite measure up. Alderman's dystopian world is well-constructed and the individuals whose perspectives are documented are all rather interesting in different ways while offering their own unique takes on the society; I was drawn most to Roxy's passages in particular. However, the ultimate message that Alderman wants to leave her readers with becomes muddled by the end, and the framing device feels a touch too clever. I do not recommend the
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"Power doesn't care who uses it. The skein doesn't rebel against him, doesn't know that he's not its rightful mistress. It just says: Yes. Yes, I can. Yes. You've got this."
Wow.
Epic in scope and ambition, very confronting in parts, forces so many uncomfortable and fascinating questions about our world, about gender, society, civilisation, and history. Unputdownable.
Hopefully I can write a longer review later, I may need to digest this one a while.
[Content warning: descriptions of sexual assau ...more
Wow.
Epic in scope and ambition, very confronting in parts, forces so many uncomfortable and fascinating questions about our world, about gender, society, civilisation, and history. Unputdownable.
Hopefully I can write a longer review later, I may need to digest this one a while.
[Content warning: descriptions of sexual assau ...more
This book made me think. A lot. About the nature of violence, the basis of religion, and just power structures in general. I really enjoyed the way the story was told and how the structure was built.
"Are patriarchies peaceful because men are peaceful? Or do more peaceful societies tend to allow men to rise up to the top because they place less value on the capacity for violence?" ponders a male historian living in a matriarchal world where women hold the power.
Wow... this book's "power" will keep me thinking for years no doubt. I suspect it will become a dystopian classic like A Handmaid's Tale. The ending made me laugh a bit and search out other readers' reviews because I am desperate to ...more
Wow... this book's "power" will keep me thinking for years no doubt. I suspect it will become a dystopian classic like A Handmaid's Tale. The ending made me laugh a bit and search out other readers' reviews because I am desperate to ...more
Really interesting premise... didn’t quite pull it off all the way for me but it posed many interesting questions. I also liked the nod to The Handmaid’s Tale with the framing device.
I found this to be a compelling novel exploring interesting themes around gender, as well as contemporary society.
This was a rough read. I loved it, but the reason it took me so long is because of all the rough shit women go through in here and in life. Plus, all the sexual assault stories coming out at this time. So theres a warning for you.
It probably wasn't what the author intended, but this was my face during all the scenes of gangs of women attacking men: :-D
I just think we deserve thousands of years of revenge, that's all. And I delight in men being treated the way women are in fiction by men all the ...more
It probably wasn't what the author intended, but this was my face during all the scenes of gangs of women attacking men: :-D
I just think we deserve thousands of years of revenge, that's all. And I delight in men being treated the way women are in fiction by men all the ...more
This book was interesting and engaging, I would recommend it to others, and I particularly enjoyed the framing device. However, I didn't like it quite as much as I had hoped to. I'm not entirely sure why - maybe because I wasn't really sucked into the world or particularly invested in the characters. My enjoyment of it was more intellectual and removed than when a book is a favorite.
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This is an adult book that has potential crossover appeal for mature teens who can handle intense situations. It's a really excellent feminist, dystopian sci fi with a religious cult thrown in for good measure. It would need careful consideration for high school assigned reading due to violence and sexual situations.
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Oct 13, 2017
Krysta
marked it as to-read
Mar 24, 2018
Bridget
marked it as to-read
Mar 26, 2018
maria
marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2018
Kiersten
marked it as to-read
