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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a 5 to me until the end but i loved the examination of gender and power and stereotypes and war and trauma. incredible idea!!!
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mini-Review: Meh, an interesting concept but the author does not pull it off.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. It’s been on my TBR for at least two years and is one of the books I was most looking forward to when I had the time and was in the mood. Sadly, it very much disappointed. I even went against a policy I had set for myself upon entering my local library. I had just returned from college and really just wanted to request a book they didn’t have and peruse the shelves. As soon as I had arrived, I realized my goal to simply order a book was not attainable and promptly decided that I would be getting two books as well. I walked up the stairs to the second floor and The Power immediately caught my attention. I recognized the cover immediately but decided to look at other books before I tied myself to that one. While examining the shelves I picked up four books and I was ready to leave when a voice at the back of my head told me to look at The Power’s summary on my way out. I did and it reignited the interest I had first had when I learned of the book two years prior so I added it to my pile and checked it out.
Out of the five I had chosen from the library this book was the most interesting so I put it towards the middle to savor it. I thought it would be philosophical (which interests me a ton) and to a degree it was but while the way parts of the book are sectioned off is brilliant, other than that, it was not a particularly impressive piece of work. You could tell the author set out writing it with a purpose (that’s clear from the very first page) and while it's evident enough in the book that she intended the book to have a message, it is not clear enough for it to be effective. Somewhere within the pages, the purpose got lost in translation making the book feel pretentious with no follow-through. Bits do manage to relate to the political climate at the time Alderman was writing it and so at parts, she manages to succeed, but as for the book as a whole, she does not. The characters are the book’s strongest element but even they don’t make the novel worth a read.
The book overall receives 2 stars from me; it possibly would have earned a .5 if the book hadn’t casually mentioned Israel, four or five times. That always instantly disgusts me and the references were not needed in the slightest. This is not a book I recommend; it’s not enjoyable which can be fine as long as it’s something genre defining, however this book does not fit this category and because of all of the above points it fails. Interesting though the concept might be, it is not enough to make this book redeemable.
Really enjoyed this book, and the premise is so very intriguing. The amount of background and explanation behind the power is so in depth that it seems somewhat feasible. I got a little lost a couple of times, but was able to pick up the thread later on, and this may have been part of the author’s way of building intrigue and suspense. Enjoyable read and a fun read that I really enjoyed!
If you had asked me before I read this book, "If the US had all women Presidents, would it be a better country?" I would have easily answered yes. I think I was the target audience of this book, but the point of this book is that Power can and will corrupt anyone.
It is too much of a triggering book, though. Don't think it needed all the assault it had.
It is too much of a triggering book, though. Don't think it needed all the assault it had.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a little rush at the end but a good story and a reflection on how power will create more of a mess that it will clean XD
What an interesting way to turn accepted gender norms and power structures on their head, and with lots of commentary about how corrupting power can be. This book was really well done!
This book is not in my top 100 favorite books, maybe not even 1,000. Probably in 10 least favorite. I listened to the audio version, and it was too much shouting and violence. I was to finish this months ago for book group, and I could barely stand to listen. So glad it's over.
good read but can’t decide if this is brilliant and simply done a little off kilter or just super heavy handed
Ironically, the letters written between Naomi and Neil were my favorite parts. The book was a doozey for me to get through, I have no particular idea why exactly though. You know it's bad when I don't even have a favorite character to rep.
Fascinating exploration of how power leads to corruption and exploitation.