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gvstyris's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
2.5
The world is being run by people my age, men my age, with falling-out hair and health worries, and it frightens me. When the leaders were older than me I could believe in their wisdom, I could believe they had transcended rage and malice and the need to be loved. Now I know better. I look at the faces in newspapers, in magazines, and wonder: what greeds, what furies drive them on?
After trudging through Cat’s Eye and DNFing Oryx and Crake, I think it’s time for me to accept that The Handmaid’s Tale is the exception, not the rule, when it comes to my taste in Atwood's novels. While I picked up on the social commentary hidden amongst Cat’s Eye's depressing tone and unlikeable characters, Elaine’s internalised misogyny (and straight-up cruelty!) rendered this novel pretty insufferable for me. Perhaps I’m just a couple decades too young to appreciate it properly -- I can see where the portrayal of female bullying would’ve been revolutionary in the 1980s.
My main highlights were Atwood's writing style, as always, and Elaine's relationship with her art. Atwood also portrays childhood both realistically and with sensitivity, which is difficult to pull off. I'm curious about the autobiographical elements of this novel, and will definitely be doing some digging.
Primarily, though, I've come away with an increased fear of one day being a middle-aged white woman myself...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Bullying
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Minor: War
lay_kone's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, War, Miscarriage, Bullying, Child death, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Violence
floralfox's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Bullying
Moderate: Death
Minor: Antisemitism and War
astridrv's review against another edition
Picked this one up because the intensity of female friendships in childhood is a favourite theme of mine. I felt like it was a bit too long, with many flat portions, and the main character’s boomer observations made me roll my eyes a few times. That said, the middle section is extremely strong. I think this book so finely describes what social pressure and being socialized as a woman feels like. Everything about performing femininity, the impossibility of ever succeeding at it, the consequences for those who fail, the learned inner eye for any missteps, the harsh self harm and punishment for these failings, and the internalized misogyny that pushed us towards safe, free boys - everything is in here. Also the long descriptions, especially of childhood field trips, make this a very sensory book which I appreciate. “Ten plates” will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: War
kabornman's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Murder, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and War
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