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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book is a tough one to review. I did enjoy it, and I will read more from this author, but there are some big caveats. It will be pretty divisive. The prose itself is absolutely beautiful, rich in historical detail and atmosphere, and, as a Feminist, I appreciate the unveiling of some of the small things that make being a woman exhausting--we can see the big things, but the microaggressions and attitudes often fly under the radar.
That said, the book is more about Nellie's journey to Feminism from the self-hatred she is taught by society than it is about apothecaries, witchery, or even shaking the patriarchy. Nellie could have used her art to fight all along, but she did not, which would be a bit weird even for the period. People have been using art for social commentary since ancient times. She is also a bit hard to root for at times: she abandons her brother, she's a bit dim at times, and is, as Jean so often says, a coward. She lives over 200 years and only grows rather suddenly at the end when Jean confronts her. The other characters are equally as annoying or simply non-entities; Jean is one-note rage and Chani is one-note perfect. Women in all our glorious complexity are not really represented.
The Cailleach content is fascinating, but does repeat. Women are called by her to love their own independence and "only then can you be a true hag," and yet we rarely see Nellie embodying the virtues of the Cailleach. How then does she get her second life? And why O why does she nor Jean ever teach other witches? Saying it's too dangerous is a copout. There's also not as much actual witching nor much herbal content, something I suspect was a draw for a lot of readers. We have a 200 year time skip that serves no purpose.
Men will not want to read this book because they don't come out very well in it, and the whole point of the book is that heaven forfend a man be made uncomfortable; if you feel any feminist rage (and you should), you will cheer at times, and yet it's 100% preaching to the choir. I'm not sure how to make the people read this book who really need to read it and grok that message, but the I don't think this one will do it. If anything, it may spur some younger readers to direct action, which I'm sure is worthwhile enough.
To end, if you enjoy books such as the most excellent [b:Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman|29340182|Shrill Notes from a Loud Woman|Lindy West|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460015959l/29340182._SY75_.jpg|46238704] and other books of that ilk, then you'll enjoy reading this book, but it won't teach you anything you don't already know, and it will remind you of how little power we women have to affect the patriarchy, and how blind men are to the fact that it hurts them, too.
Read it for the Edinburgh atmosphere, the bits about the Crone, and the clever modern art installation at the end. Don't read it for plot or characterization.
I received a free copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher.
That said, the book is more about Nellie's journey to Feminism from the self-hatred she is taught by society than it is about apothecaries, witchery, or even shaking the patriarchy. Nellie could have used her art to fight all along, but she did not, which would be a bit weird even for the period. People have been using art for social commentary since ancient times. She is also a bit hard to root for at times: she abandons her brother, she's a bit dim at times, and is, as Jean so often says, a coward. She lives over 200 years and only grows rather suddenly at the end when Jean confronts her. The other characters are equally as annoying or simply non-entities; Jean is one-note rage and Chani is one-note perfect. Women in all our glorious complexity are not really represented.
The Cailleach content is fascinating, but does repeat. Women are called by her to love their own independence and "only then can you be a true hag," and yet we rarely see Nellie embodying the virtues of the Cailleach. How then does she get her second life? And why O why does she nor Jean ever teach other witches? Saying it's too dangerous is a copout. There's also not as much actual witching nor much herbal content, something I suspect was a draw for a lot of readers. We have a 200 year time skip that serves no purpose.
Men will not want to read this book because they don't come out very well in it, and the whole point of the book is that heaven forfend a man be made uncomfortable; if you feel any feminist rage (and you should), you will cheer at times, and yet it's 100% preaching to the choir. I'm not sure how to make the people read this book who really need to read it and grok that message, but the I don't think this one will do it. If anything, it may spur some younger readers to direct action, which I'm sure is worthwhile enough.
To end, if you enjoy books such as the most excellent [b:Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman|29340182|Shrill Notes from a Loud Woman|Lindy West|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460015959l/29340182._SY75_.jpg|46238704] and other books of that ilk, then you'll enjoy reading this book, but it won't teach you anything you don't already know, and it will remind you of how little power we women have to affect the patriarchy, and how blind men are to the fact that it hurts them, too.
Read it for the Edinburgh atmosphere, the bits about the Crone, and the clever modern art installation at the end. Don't read it for plot or characterization.
I received a free copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher.
Scotland, witches, women’s rights, love.
For some novels, listening to the audiobook is needed to get the full effect of the story. This is one of those.
I appreciate the setting and how the book sets it up.
The audiobook takes it to a whole new level.
This is an #ARC by #MarielleThompson, narrated by #SiobhanWaring. It was sent by #NetGalley and #TantorAudio.
The opinions expressed are my own.
#TheLastWitchinEdinburgh
For some novels, listening to the audiobook is needed to get the full effect of the story. This is one of those.
I appreciate the setting and how the book sets it up.
The audiobook takes it to a whole new level.
This is an #ARC by #MarielleThompson, narrated by #SiobhanWaring. It was sent by #NetGalley and #TantorAudio.
The opinions expressed are my own.
#TheLastWitchinEdinburgh
dark
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love a dark, gothic and atmospheric witchy novel that draws you in from the first page. When that novel combines folklore, queer love and some history, this witchy reader is in heaven. We all know about the witch trials and the horrors that took place; what we don't know is the stories behind the witches that might have been persecuted. This novel was a perfect blend of fantasy and historical with female empowerment thrown in. I absolutely adored this book and I think that Marielle Thompson is an incredible author who knows how to blend the different themes in this book flawlessly. The way in which Thompson is able to take events that were heinous in nature and turn them on their heads to help bring out the best in the reader is inspiring. This is a book to read if you're a woman for the self-empowerment, a man if you want to know how to empower the women in your lives and every one else in between to inspire you to take control of your own fate and live your life how you wish to live it. I am so excited to see what this author comes out with next!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not for me. Very heavy handed with its message and while I appreciate the inclusivity, good politics alone can’t make a story good