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magsphil's review
2.0
This book was well written but I’m confused about the point of it.
First of all- not a single chapter break in the entire book, just a long stream of consciousness from the main character, Alice. I definitely missed physical breaks separating parts of the book, but not having the breaks reinforced the non-stop nature of her life, fixing one thing and then moving on to the next.
One of the major takeaways was how the revolutionaries ignore their own needs and their communities for the sake of their greater ideological goals. I was hoping the story would show how Alice’s efforts to care for her comrades would pay off somehow, but that never happens. And what motivates her to put in this effort? She seems to be a judgmental person who doesn’t care for most people, but isn’t 100% behind the ideological goals of the group either.
The revolutionaries don’t succeed in their mission either, and it fails (probably because they don’t consider one another, only the end goal). None of the characters are employed, and a lot of them sorta sit around all day. I feel like this isn’t a great depiction of revolutionary groups, though I’m sure there is truth to this from lessing’s own experiences.
First of all- not a single chapter break in the entire book, just a long stream of consciousness from the main character, Alice. I definitely missed physical breaks separating parts of the book, but not having the breaks reinforced the non-stop nature of her life, fixing one thing and then moving on to the next.
One of the major takeaways was how the revolutionaries ignore their own needs and their communities for the sake of their greater ideological goals. I was hoping the story would show how Alice’s efforts to care for her comrades would pay off somehow, but that never happens. And what motivates her to put in this effort? She seems to be a judgmental person who doesn’t care for most people, but isn’t 100% behind the ideological goals of the group either.
The revolutionaries don’t succeed in their mission either, and it fails (probably because they don’t consider one another, only the end goal). None of the characters are employed, and a lot of them sorta sit around all day. I feel like this isn’t a great depiction of revolutionary groups, though I’m sure there is truth to this from lessing’s own experiences.
exdebris's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thomas2591's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
thewaronhugs's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
loxeletters's review against another edition
challenging
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I have a very complicated relationship with this book.
After reading the quotes on the blurb, I interpreted the book as a criticism on terrorism but more importantly on communism - not so much the theory, as the "lifestyle." And the "communists" shown in this book are terrible people. I hated so many of the character, especially Jasper. But they also feel incredibly contrived. The idea that every single person living in the squat is just this selfish and stupid is simply not believable to me. It felt very much like a straw man.
After I read up a bit on the background of the book, mainly the fact that Lessing at some point was a socialist, and that she me at this book as an exploration of how people become amateur terrorists, I've gained a new appreciation for it. That doesn't change the fact that I could not suspend my disbelief for these characters. Some commentators say this book is a satire - Lessing only ever referred to it as humorous - and I can somewhat understand that point of view. Still, I feel it doesn't work as a satire because the "joke" relies on the reader believing that communists/squatters are selfish, anti-intellectual and hypocritical. Which I do not.
All of this aside: I adored the character of Alice. Not necessarily as a person, but the complexity and believability was incredible. Similarly, I felt that Jasper as a villain worked really well. And I also appreciated Lessing's prose a lot, which is why I kept reading even at points where the characters seemed absolutely ridiculous to me.
Overall, then, I'm not sure how to rate this book. I enjoyed it, and I also didn't.
After reading the quotes on the blurb, I interpreted the book as a criticism on terrorism but more importantly on communism - not so much the theory, as the "lifestyle." And the "communists" shown in this book are terrible people. I hated so many of the character, especially Jasper. But they also feel incredibly contrived. The idea that every single person living in the squat is just this selfish and stupid is simply not believable to me. It felt very much like a straw man.
After I read up a bit on the background of the book, mainly the fact that Lessing at some point was a socialist, and that she me at this book as an exploration of how people become amateur terrorists, I've gained a new appreciation for it. That doesn't change the fact that I could not suspend my disbelief for these characters. Some commentators say this book is a satire - Lessing only ever referred to it as humorous - and I can somewhat understand that point of view. Still, I feel it doesn't work as a satire because the "joke" relies on the reader believing that communists/squatters are selfish, anti-intellectual and hypocritical. Which I do not.
All of this aside: I adored the character of Alice. Not necessarily as a person, but the complexity and believability was incredible. Similarly, I felt that Jasper as a villain worked really well. And I also appreciated Lessing's prose a lot, which is why I kept reading even at points where the characters seemed absolutely ridiculous to me.
Overall, then, I'm not sure how to rate this book. I enjoyed it, and I also didn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Police brutality, Blood, Death, Classism, Gore, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
ali91monki's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ady_soundslike80's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75