Scan barcode
alongreader's review against another edition
5.0
This title is sold as Master Class in the US and Q in the UK, but it is the same novel.
The Q has become the most important number in anyone's life. Every tests, every leson, every interaction adds or subtracts from your Q in various forms. Drop too low, and the yellow bus will come for you...
Christina Dalcher wrote Vox a couple of years ago, a novel where women and girls were limited to only 100 words a day. In this new novel, boys seem to be discriminated against equally - at least, there are some boys in the bottom ranked school - but tellingly, when the master plan is revealed it seems to focus only on women.
I can't say I exactly 'enjoy' reading Christina's novels. They're heavy, weighty topics, hard to get through. But I begged for this one as soon as I found out it was coming, and I've read it in less than a day. I'll keep reading them, because she says important things.
I was a little surprised that the narrator didn't recognise the Bund Deutscher Mädel, even in context. I might not have been able to reel off the name, but I know who they are. Maybe they don't learn that in America, though. Here in Ireland, we're closer to that part of history.
(I've just asked my two housemates and neither of them knew who they were either, even though they are two well educated adults! I rescind my surprise a bit. Clearly I'm reading the right/wrong kinds of things.)
I read it. I'll be thinking about it for a while. And I'll be watching eagerly for Christina's next book.
The Q has become the most important number in anyone's life. Every tests, every leson, every interaction adds or subtracts from your Q in various forms. Drop too low, and the yellow bus will come for you...
Christina Dalcher wrote Vox a couple of years ago, a novel where women and girls were limited to only 100 words a day. In this new novel, boys seem to be discriminated against equally - at least, there are some boys in the bottom ranked school - but tellingly, when the master plan is revealed it seems to focus only on women.
I can't say I exactly 'enjoy' reading Christina's novels. They're heavy, weighty topics, hard to get through. But I begged for this one as soon as I found out it was coming, and I've read it in less than a day. I'll keep reading them, because she says important things.
I was a little surprised that the narrator didn't recognise the Bund Deutscher Mädel, even in context. I might not have been able to reel off the name, but I know who they are. Maybe they don't learn that in America, though. Here in Ireland, we're closer to that part of history.
(I've just asked my two housemates and neither of them knew who they were either, even though they are two well educated adults! I rescind my surprise a bit. Clearly I'm reading the right/wrong kinds of things.)
I read it. I'll be thinking about it for a while. And I'll be watching eagerly for Christina's next book.
larysletters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
maggymags's review against another edition
5.0
I was a little hesitant about this book as it has received mixed reviews. I really enjoyed this read. It makes you think.
shaunabowers3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nickymaund's review against another edition
4.0
This was another book that I was keen to read after reading Dalcher’s brilliant debut Vox. And this did not disappoint.
I really like Dalcher’s imagination and she does a great job of creating dystopian worlds, particularly where women and are the main voice or the main ‘victim’ of this dystopian society.
I will admit, some parts of this dragged a bit but in general this was a tense ride as you follow teacher Elena who’s struggling with the way her society views and treats its ‘unsavoury’ types. There were also comparisons with the Nazi regime with first hand experience from Elena’s gran. But this wasn’t a fluffy ride - this society is brutal in its treatment of those who it views as unsavoury. A chilling world indeed!
I really like Dalcher’s imagination and she does a great job of creating dystopian worlds, particularly where women and are the main voice or the main ‘victim’ of this dystopian society.
I will admit, some parts of this dragged a bit but in general this was a tense ride as you follow teacher Elena who’s struggling with the way her society views and treats its ‘unsavoury’ types. There were also comparisons with the Nazi regime with first hand experience from Elena’s gran. But this wasn’t a fluffy ride - this society is brutal in its treatment of those who it views as unsavoury. A chilling world indeed!
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
5.0
When testing and categorization of students goes too far... Sure, it seems crazy, but some of the rhetoric from the Fitter Families Foundation and the Department of Education sounds eerily familiar. A brilliant thriller set in the future but harkening back to the shameful eugenics and sterilization programs of the early 20th century.
bell3anna's review
5.0
READ THIS BOOK. Too real. I laughed. I cried. I gasped in shock and in anger!!!! Worth the hype.