Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. This is the second book by this author where I have hated the ending. I think if she just hadn’t included the epilogue I would have thought it was better. I really enjoyed the premise of this book: a utopia just for women. And the conflict of having all the boys born into the camp had a « the ones who walk away from omelas” feel that I really enjoyed but why would things go back to normal in the epilogue. It makes me sad for the author that she has enough imagination to write these books yet not enough to ever, even in her wildest dreams, break free from the patriarchy in her books. Is it that ingrained in her? I think she had a really interesting opportunity here that she completely squandered.
Edit: Changing my review to 1 star because there was a scene promoting being a terf and that is absolutely not on.
Edit: Changing my review to 1 star because there was a scene promoting being a terf and that is absolutely not on.
Having read Dalcher's other novels, I knew Femlandia would not be the utopia it portrayed itself to be, but I was ready for it. Bring on the matriarchal dystopia! It was ugly and horrifying and compelling (just as I expected) right to the very end, but the epilogue completely ruined the book for me. I wish I hadn't read those last few pages.
Femlandia is a skilfully crafted dystopian page turner that conjures up questions about patriarchy and individual autonomy vis-a-vis society at large.
Both elements of the book are powerful in their own right and the combination of the two is just delicious.
Both elements of the book are powerful in their own right and the combination of the two is just delicious.
I liked the sound of this and was rather excited to see how it all played out. However I was severely disappointed. Didn't find the topics to be handled as well as I had hoped
A dystopian future where a woman and her daughter seek refuge in a safe haven designed exclusively for women.
this was another thought provoking novel from Christina Dalcher; I loved Vox and Femlandia was no exception. Although tough to read at times it was completely gripping and I couldn't put it down; absolutely thought provoking.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
this was another thought provoking novel from Christina Dalcher; I loved Vox and Femlandia was no exception. Although tough to read at times it was completely gripping and I couldn't put it down; absolutely thought provoking.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
Enjoyed the concept, found the ending a little too 'easy'.
It is incredibly difficult to write my honest thoughts and feelings on this book without including spoilers so this will be brief.
I was extremely excited by the premise and was in the mood for a great dystopian novel. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Miranda’s character was either one who cared for children in need or one willing to leave a starving child on the side of the road? Which one is it? Emma enters Femlandia and becomes a completely different person with no build up or explanation. As for Femlandia, it started off with a transphobic comment. I kept reading because I thought perhaps it would get circled back to and resolved, but no, it was just a completely unnecessary comment that added nothing whatsoever to the story, unless the author was trying to make me feel sick – in which case, mission accomplished. There were also a lot of contradictions in what the founders of Femlandia believed in.
There was a lot of promise, I just don’t think it was executed well.
TW: sexual assault, child abuse, suicide
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC.
I was extremely excited by the premise and was in the mood for a great dystopian novel. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Miranda’s character was either one who cared for children in need or one willing to leave a starving child on the side of the road? Which one is it? Emma enters Femlandia and becomes a completely different person with no build up or explanation. As for Femlandia, it started off with a transphobic comment. I kept reading because I thought perhaps it would get circled back to and resolved, but no, it was just a completely unnecessary comment that added nothing whatsoever to the story, unless the author was trying to make me feel sick – in which case, mission accomplished. There were also a lot of contradictions in what the founders of Femlandia believed in.
There was a lot of promise, I just don’t think it was executed well.
TW: sexual assault, child abuse, suicide
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC.
didnt like the lesbiphobia and transphobia but the writing style was very compelling
I really enjoyed this book and read the second half in one go, I wanted to know what would happen so much! It’s dark and violent and unpleasant, but actually I think I could believe it might happen. That combination of slightly fantastical plot but set in a very familiar world really works for me.
I’m sure there are many things that could be criticised, from the science of it all to the radical feminism and conveniently pregnant lead character who stumbles onto the truth at the camp very quickly. I don’t think that matters to me. I have enjoyed all Dalcher’s books and this one was the best so far.
I’m sure there are many things that could be criticised, from the science of it all to the radical feminism and conveniently pregnant lead character who stumbles onto the truth at the camp very quickly. I don’t think that matters to me. I have enjoyed all Dalcher’s books and this one was the best so far.
Miranda has always thought she would rather die than ever set foot in her mother’s women-only colony, Femlandia. But when her husband abandons her and her daughter in the worst possible way, Femlandia may be her safe haven. Emma is instantly enchanted by the colony, but Miranda knows that something isn’t right. From the outside looking in, Femlandia is successful and thriving. When Miranda takes a closer look at the inner workings of her mother’s creation, she discovers the dark secret at the center of the colony.
Big dystopian thriller fan here
Big dystopian thriller fan here