Scan barcode
hannah2896's review against another edition
Not something I'd usually read but picked up as longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The first chapter gave me false confidence in loving this book and didn't set me up well for the absolute brutality of the following chapters. Disturbing and not a particuarly enjoyable read - I wish I read reviews before picking up as I would have avoided. The chapters also seem quite disjointed which left me confused in parts. Dnf at page 77.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, War, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Alcohol, Confinement, Drug use, and Violence
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Read as listed on the Women's Prize 2024.
An absolutely amazing story. Read over 2 days & let my mind follow the complex chapters of her life. Learned about women's experiences during the 2 wars & brings to life the values of the Women's Prize.
I think this would be my winner & will be on my Top 10 books for 2024.
An absolutely amazing story. Read over 2 days & let my mind follow the complex chapters of her life. Learned about women's experiences during the 2 wars & brings to life the values of the Women's Prize.
I think this would be my winner & will be on my Top 10 books for 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Grief, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Excrement, Genocide, Infertility, Murder, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Racism, and War
claudiatralenuvole's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
La storia era partita bene, con un ritmo forse lento ma tutto sommato mi incuriosiva la premessa. Purtroppo dopo i primi capitoli sulle donne di conforto e la guerra, la narrazione perde forza passando da un racconto in prima persona a punti di vista esterni discontinui e frammentati che hanno tolto omogeneità e incisività alla struttura. La seconda metà del romanzo mi è risultata ostica e traballante, con pezzi di racconto mancanti ridondanti, soprattutto nel capitolo finale che sembra quasi un riassuntino spiccio di ciò che è stato raccontato. Alla fine mi sono chiesta quale fosse il senso di questa storia.
Insomma, una grande delusione.
Insomma, una grande delusione.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Mental illness
More...