Reviews

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

briacelest's review against another edition

4.0

Found this an incredibly existential and compelling story on what it means to be human. It reminded me a lot of poor things and a short stay In hell. It strips a person down to the bare minimum and asks ‘what is it to be human? A woman’… I especially enjoyed the questioning and discussion of time and language, two things some would say are essential to humanity. It was a really beautiful story and I was sad for it come to an end as the narrator felt like an old friend. Definitely recommend for anyone in the mood for a strange world and human like characters.

yuzureads's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

stephregnier8's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

whattup_sugarcup's review

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

courtneyyp123's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kristinarr's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

chronicallyeve's review

5.0

I fear I will never be the same after having read this little book. Absolutely heart-breaking, profoundly sad, yet also soulfully hopeful at times. The knot in my chest this story left me will surely take a long while to dissolve.

pikkumarja's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

How could I describe what I felt while, and after, reading this haunting story? I do not know.

This book was truly a small miracle, haunting but beautifully written story. All the hype is well-deserved but if you want to read this book, just read it without knowing what will happen.

This is so beautiful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

readingkat's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

conniemarch's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Suicide