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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
"Being a woman is a beautiful but brutal thing."
Kiran Millwood Hargrave delivers another captivating novel! The writing style in this book is simply exquisite, reminiscent of my beloved authors like Lauren Groff and Hannah Kent. The prose flows effortlessly, like honey, drawing readers in with its mesmerizing and entrancing quality. What truly sets this novel apart is its emotional depth, which resonated with me on many deep levels.
Set against the backdrop of a time and place dominated by iron-fisted influence, particularly on women, this beautifully written story explores themes of love, resilience, and defiance. Through the
experiences of three remarkable women – Lisbet, Ida, and Agnethe – the novel vividly depicts the oppressive forces of culture and religion. Despite facing punishment and persecution, these women courageously challenge the cruelty of men and the Church, asserting their right to love and self-expression.
‘Why do you think those women dance? Because there is no earthly way to be saved. You and Mutter have told me enough times – Strasbourg is sliding Hellwards. And we women, we bear the brunt. We are bred or banished, and always, always damned. Prayers cannot help us, the priests will not help us. Your babies were never blessed, so they were damned. It is not right, that is the unnatural act, not this.’
The book is Inspired by the historic Dancing Plague of 1518 and I was particularly fascinated by the author's skilful intertwining of the religious fervour of the era with the lingering mysticism prevalent in
society. In this setting, the pervasive influence of God and religion dictates every facet of existence: from matters of love and wealth to estate management and political affairs.
society. In this setting, the pervasive influence of God and religion dictates every facet of existence: from matters of love and wealth to estate management and political affairs.
Overall it is an incredible read and one that I wholeheartedly recommend to others.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Struggling to maintain my focus. Felt dry.
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[EN] I wasn't as engaged in the story as I was hoping to be but it's definitely exquisitely written and the story itself (both fictional and factual parts) was intriguing and heartbreaking.
[PL] Nie zaangażowałam się w nią aż tak jak miałam na to nadzieję, ale jest wspaniale napisana, a sama historia (zarówno elementy fikcyjne jak i nie) były intrygujące, ale też łamiące serce.
[PL] Nie zaangażowałam się w nią aż tak jak miałam na to nadzieję, ale jest wspaniale napisana, a sama historia (zarówno elementy fikcyjne jak i nie) były intrygujące, ale też łamiące serce.
Atmospheric, beautiful, queer, heartbreaking, and yet heartwarming at the same time. There was a particular moment when the hairs on my arms stood up. What an interesting historical moment and place to write about, and with the sinister outbreak of choreomania (a dancing plague) lingering at the fringes of the story too... what a strong individuality this book had. Lisbet is a protagonist I haven't encountered before in fiction – KMH said herself that she hasn't found the perspective of pregnant women in many stories at all, let alone women who have had multiple lost pregnancies. So having Lisbet also be self-reliant, determined, hopeful, and also sexual, not just a woman defined by her childbearing and status, was very fresh.