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anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
3.0
This book is an engaging story about a young prostitute set in mid 16th century London.
I loved the book initially as it paints the picture of a young woman, Mary, who gets sucked into prostitution who finds a way to survive by her wits and with the help of an older, more experienced prostitute. Mary is not a typical fictional character; she has more than her share of flaws - - not merely in her judgement, but also in her character, yet she is portrayed sympathetically.
Unfortunately, Mary ultimately leaves London and goes into "service" under false pretenses to a family in the countryside.
Here is where one might hope that Mary would rise above her early circumstances and go on to live a happy life. Needless to say, that's not what happens. Not by a long shot.
This book really had a lot of four star qualities in that it was well written and suspenseful, but even I, who really LIKE dark books, found it just didn't have enough hope or uplifting qualities to contrast against the unrelenting darkness. For me, dark books can make even the smallest bit of humanity shine brightly, and I read them for those moving moments. The contrast is what engages my mind and my emotion.
Slammerkin just didn't quite deliver on that promise and while I admired the author for not taking the easy route with her characters, I also ended up feeling that the book really didn't develop that elusive theme that elevates an ordinary read to the four and five star levels.
I loved the book initially as it paints the picture of a young woman, Mary, who gets sucked into prostitution who finds a way to survive by her wits and with the help of an older, more experienced prostitute. Mary is not a typical fictional character; she has more than her share of flaws - - not merely in her judgement, but also in her character, yet she is portrayed sympathetically.
Unfortunately, Mary ultimately leaves London and goes into "service" under false pretenses to a family in the countryside.
Here is where one might hope that Mary would rise above her early circumstances and go on to live a happy life. Needless to say, that's not what happens. Not by a long shot.
This book really had a lot of four star qualities in that it was well written and suspenseful, but even I, who really LIKE dark books, found it just didn't have enough hope or uplifting qualities to contrast against the unrelenting darkness. For me, dark books can make even the smallest bit of humanity shine brightly, and I read them for those moving moments. The contrast is what engages my mind and my emotion.
Slammerkin just didn't quite deliver on that promise and while I admired the author for not taking the easy route with her characters, I also ended up feeling that the book really didn't develop that elusive theme that elevates an ordinary read to the four and five star levels.
saramurph's review against another edition
3.0
more like 3.5 honestly wouldve read it quicker if i had free time
lesbegays's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
it took me a few chapters to really get invested, but oh boy did i get invested. mary was not a likable character, but then these moments where you remember she’s just 15/16 would hit SO hard and make me so sad for what i knew was coming. i’m left feeling very similarly to the way i did upon finishing the film parasite. gutted and hopeless and angry at the way society puts people in circumstances that encourage them to be cruel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
amyzig's review against another edition
3.0
This is a hard book to rate... it almost reads like two separate stories. The first part is a definite 5. But the second part drags and just isn't as interesting.
pph_library_bookclub's review against another edition
3.0
This months notes were written up by a kind volunteer and are as follows:
- easy book to read but everyone felt there was something lacking
- the main character, Mary made big transitions in her life but ultimately ended up where she started. Although this did seem to be not so much from choice but making the best of a bad situation after she was found out by the innkeeper. Had this not happened, it may have been a different story
- Mary was driven by a want for the finer things in life
- Mary didn't want to be subservient or answer to anyone. She was self-reliant and wanted control. She even tried to control the manner in which she died even though she had no choice
- the last chapter was poor and felt it was more about wrapping the book up swiftly
- disappointing that there was no reflection or remorse from Mary in the last chapters
- the book lacked depth and there was little evidence of emotions therefore it was difficult to engage with the main character
- despite Mary being a victim of a number of unfortunate events, it was difficult to feel sorry for her
- Doll was more likeable character
- Daffy came over as a bit of a hopeless dreamer and romantic. It was strange he had access to so many books as they were expensive during this era
- Mary came under influence of a number of maternal influences, her own mother, Doll, the matron, Mrs Jones. Mary had a better relationship with Doll than her own mother Mary had a difficult relationship with her mother and seemed determined that would not be like her. Mary seemed to be a constant reminder of her father and she resented the promise made to Mary's father of ensuring Mary had an education
- although Mary was fortunate to have an education, it gave her ideas above her station and made it difficult for her to fit in
- the book showed how powerless women were during this time. All the women in the story had had some misfortune or been let down by men. The men in story had all the control
- overall the book should have been more interesting. It was a good story but this did not come through enough. Not enough invested in the characters
Average score - 5.5
- easy book to read but everyone felt there was something lacking
- the main character, Mary made big transitions in her life but ultimately ended up where she started. Although this did seem to be not so much from choice but making the best of a bad situation after she was found out by the innkeeper. Had this not happened, it may have been a different story
- Mary was driven by a want for the finer things in life
- Mary didn't want to be subservient or answer to anyone. She was self-reliant and wanted control. She even tried to control the manner in which she died even though she had no choice
- the last chapter was poor and felt it was more about wrapping the book up swiftly
- disappointing that there was no reflection or remorse from Mary in the last chapters
- the book lacked depth and there was little evidence of emotions therefore it was difficult to engage with the main character
- despite Mary being a victim of a number of unfortunate events, it was difficult to feel sorry for her
- Doll was more likeable character
- Daffy came over as a bit of a hopeless dreamer and romantic. It was strange he had access to so many books as they were expensive during this era
- Mary came under influence of a number of maternal influences, her own mother, Doll, the matron, Mrs Jones. Mary had a better relationship with Doll than her own mother Mary had a difficult relationship with her mother and seemed determined that would not be like her. Mary seemed to be a constant reminder of her father and she resented the promise made to Mary's father of ensuring Mary had an education
- although Mary was fortunate to have an education, it gave her ideas above her station and made it difficult for her to fit in
- the book showed how powerless women were during this time. All the women in the story had had some misfortune or been let down by men. The men in story had all the control
- overall the book should have been more interesting. It was a good story but this did not come through enough. Not enough invested in the characters
Average score - 5.5
pinkvogue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
macfiar's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books of all time! Donoghue is a fantastic writer.
shiradest's review against another edition
2.0
While I did not like the novel, probably due to my own prudishness, I did enjoy the knock on upper middle class 'educated' questions: how big a trading post is Quebec?! :-) Great commentary, and very well worked-in to the scene!
Shira
William James MEOW Date: Wednesday, July 11. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)
Shira
William James MEOW Date: Wednesday, July 11. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)
elisteixner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
librasgroove's review against another edition
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Slammerkin is a slowly paced read about sex work and the love of fine clothing in 1700s England. Doll Huggins is my personal favorite character, as she adds a sense of humor and lightness to an otherwise sad tale of the teenage Mary Saunders. If you read between the lines, there are some lesbian undertones but they only add more angst than anything else.