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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the most unsettling books I've read. I'm sure I've missed the point entirely. Because... WHY? Seriously, why?
This book was just ok, the story was interesting and thought provoking from a sci-fi dystopian point of view . However, I didn't care about the characters and didn't feel invested in them so it wasn't emotional for me. It did have a certain amount of creativity and imagination with the positrons that I found appealing.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good, but not as exceptional as some of Atwood's other books.
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the first half. It almost convinced me to give Margaret Atwood another chance. But the second half was horrible- I almost felt embarrassed reading it. There seemed to be some major plot loopholes, and it was difficult to root for such awful people. I found it strange to read a book about the concept of free will and institutional control where the main characters literally had no free will at all. I wanted some tiny act of bravery, some small bit of hope, but the book just made me sad by the end. I honestly believe the world isn't like what it described- that people can be good, that not everything is a conspiracy plot, that forgiveness and love can be stronger than revenge. I just don't think Margaret Atwood is for me.
I love a good dystopian novel, so I was really excited about this book. I was captivated for the first 70% and then the storyline started to feel a bit rushed in the last few chapters in my opinion. I appreciate that the ending gives you a philosophical pause and leaves room for interpretation on how the narrative would have evolved if the book continued. All in all, I think I would have liked more if the setting and story were a bit more expansive, but the concept and characters were all so wacky that I really enjoyed it and will likely think back to this read long after I reshelf it.
A great and disturbingly dark satire. Anything from Atwood is gold.