Scan barcode
threadybeeps's review against another edition
5.0
I can't believe I went for so long without reading this one. Brilliant, stunning, flawless, etc. Encompasses all the things I love about Atwood.
catsandbooks64cc1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
emilyclairem's review against another edition
2.0
I can scarce believe that I'm giving an Atwood book such a low rating, but here I am, a worshipper at the Church of Atwood giving Bodily Harm 2 stars. This was not a BAD book, but it definitely was not good. It is overwhelmingly obvious that this is one of her earlier works - the writing quality is excellent, but the plot construction is just not quite there. There were quite a few quotes that I loved and I found some aspects of it interesting - Rennie's relationship to her hometown and with men, in particular, but other than that I just couldn't quite get into it. I'm left with an overwhelming feeling of "who cares?" which is probably one of the worst feelings to have after reading a book, especially one that is well over 300 pages.
eva_hennessy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
micaelabrody's review against another edition
4.0
i've probably mentioned my atwood divide before: to me anything atwood wrote pre-1985 has a pretty distinctive je ne sais quoi missing from it. so this was like the other pre-handmaid atwood i’ve read, i liked it but didn’t love it - though i liked it more than edible woman and waaay more than lady oracle.
i think this was the book right before handmaid and you can kind of tell - her plot tightens up and she draws characters more fully. the first 2/3 of the book are slower but the last third is so compelling, and her protagonist isn’t necessarily likeable or sympathetic, i think that’s where margaret atwood is so good? like atwood women aren’t always sympathetic because… real women aren’t necessarily sympathetic… but they’re allowed to be complex and full so they’re still real and interesting people.
i think this was the book right before handmaid and you can kind of tell - her plot tightens up and she draws characters more fully. the first 2/3 of the book are slower but the last third is so compelling, and her protagonist isn’t necessarily likeable or sympathetic, i think that’s where margaret atwood is so good? like atwood women aren’t always sympathetic because… real women aren’t necessarily sympathetic… but they’re allowed to be complex and full so they’re still real and interesting people.
bookworms_closet's review against another edition
2.0
I usually love Atwood, but this one seemed to lack something. The story wasn't that good and there wasn't the usual Atwood-humour - or I just failed to notice it. The characterizations were very good as usual, but the story was just so depressing. A real downer!
avitalgadcykman's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a woman who lost one breast to breast cancer and felt threatened by the unknown and unsatisfied with her relationships. She travels to a tropical island to write a tourism piece about it, and enters another web of threat and relationships. It's an interesting tale about her as well as about the dictatorship on that island.
allys_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
pretty depressing read. I needed something light after I finished it!
bookietracey's review against another edition
2.0
I was not a fan of this book at all. I found the storyline incredibly boring and I couldn’t engage with the characters.
This was a huge disappointment compared to other Margaret Atwood books that I have read. The writing style was of her usual high standard but everything else was lacking.
This was a huge disappointment compared to other Margaret Atwood books that I have read. The writing style was of her usual high standard but everything else was lacking.
ktonks's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure why it took me so long to read this one, but it is my last Atwood novel. By outward appearances the plot seems like a basic drug store thriller but of course it's never that simple. Well paced and covering the perspectives of two very different women, there is a lot to dissect here. Definitely not a disappointment but not as rich as my favourite Atwood novels.