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gvstyris's review against another edition
- 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...
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Bullying
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Minor: War
areyoubibliokay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Self harm
linda97's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Self harm, Bullying, and Blood
marianapereira's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide attempt
rivmnoke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Self harm
danakm's review against another edition
Also the vivid description of self harm was a big turn off for me.
Graphic: Self harm and Emotional abuse
annatan's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Bullying
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Misogyny and Death of parent
astridrv's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: War
kou_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Blood
dreamofbookspines's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm