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shhchar's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed reading Serena, but at the end of the novel, I was left with a lingering feeling that I am now exploring, most likely to my ire.
The intrigue of human brutality within the novel's Appalachian setting was the driving force. However, there is such little exploration into the emotions behind the brutality that I'm left wondering whether Serena was some sort of manic pixie timber-dream girl.
We never get her perspective and are stuck reading either about the idolization Pemberton has for her or the larger-than-life rumors among the workers. This wasn't of huge consequence until about 3/4ths of the way through the book. I expected the slow pace to pick up a little, but it did not. Instead, the readers are led to a quite obvious ending and left with the option of accepting it or if you're me, questioning why we are meant to accept it.
In the ensuing author's interview at the end of Serena, Ron Rash is asked about the "uniqueness of a character like Serena in American literature" to which he replies "I thought it would be interesting to have a female character who had power, even the power of life and death, at a time when women had few opportunities to achieve such power. Her ruling a timber camp full of men struck me as even more intriguing." I think that would have been intriguing as well, but I find it firstly ridiculous to mold that said female character into an impenetrable force - both in mind, body, and power - and not give us any perspective of her inner thoughts or how she came to be that way. Additionally, most of Serena's actions are carried out by another male character which kind of defeats his explanation.
It's not groundbreaking to give a female character power or, honestly, to do it "at a time when women had few opportunities to achieve such power." But did she REALLY achieve this power? We are given a half-assed explanation into her past that is as believable as a fish flying (her Colorado upbringing that I was hoping would be expanded upon was not) and the sparse details that she sought out Pemberton before luring him into marriage with - this is made extremely clear - her body.
With this said "power" she turns into the mistress of the timber camp with all the workers viewing her as a sort of vengeful goddess. Outside of these pages, it is more clear that she is simply a killer we are expected to understand at face value who uses her body for her own unexplored purposes. Thank you, feminist hero.
Safe to say, I fucking hated Serena's character, which is especially sad as she was the driving force behind why I read the book in the first place. I kept expecting to flip the page and get a new detail that would give me insight into why she acted so ruthlessly and devoid of emotion. The reason we are meant to accept (which is on the back of the book and not a spoiler) is of Pemberton aiding his baby-mama and child behind Serena's back. This is so poorly developed within the actual story that without going into the novel expecting it I would've been confused or even more annoyed at its conclusion. I won't even go into the epilogue/coda because it is too ridiculous and farfetched that I'd rather forget about it.
It is frustrating to see a novel with two half-assembled female characters - one flat and one slightly rounded as we are given some insight into her feelings, though she too feels like a caricature of the idyllic pioneer woman with a baby on her back - be given so much literary praise when there are novels with much more accurate depictions of womanhood out there.
I am not taking any fault with the writing of this novel; it built the atmosphere quite wonderfully. But I cannot forgive Rash for positioning this book of supposed evilness of womanhood on the dubious explanation that Serena cannot get pregnant and therefore wishes to murder the woman who has had her husband's child (which was entirely before Serena even knew him).
As for this Rachel Harmon, besides the glimpses of her POV that we are given, we still had to suffer through Pemberton's disparaging male gaze in multiple scenes of him questioning why he ever found her attractive. I'm putting myself in a sour mood by writing this but I am so used to the male gaze in media that I have absolutely no patience for it anymore, especially in literature that I look to escape in.
To declare that few women had power at this time and to present us with a "proper" example of a contemporarily powerful woman who remains static the entire novel and seems to only represent wild greed, murder, and lust is not my idea of "a villainess like no other" as a quote on the back proudly declares. I can now guess why the movie adaptation must've flopped even with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in the main roles.
I believe Rash put more effort into building the setting and vernacular, framing the story, and the too-many-to-remember workers' POVs at the sacrifice of well-rounded characters, especially women. This is not a play, as he cited "consciously evoking" MacBeth in the novel, there are no actors to give life and emotion to the lines. This is just another upsettingly flat depiction of good versus evil with women positioned on the front lines instead of men.
The intrigue of human brutality within the novel's Appalachian setting was the driving force. However, there is such little exploration into the emotions behind the brutality that I'm left wondering whether Serena was some sort of manic pixie timber-dream girl.
We never get her perspective and are stuck reading either about the idolization Pemberton has for her or the larger-than-life rumors among the workers. This wasn't of huge consequence until about 3/4ths of the way through the book. I expected the slow pace to pick up a little, but it did not. Instead, the readers are led to a quite obvious ending and left with the option of accepting it or if you're me, questioning why we are meant to accept it.
In the ensuing author's interview at the end of Serena, Ron Rash is asked about the "uniqueness of a character like Serena in American literature" to which he replies "I thought it would be interesting to have a female character who had power, even the power of life and death, at a time when women had few opportunities to achieve such power. Her ruling a timber camp full of men struck me as even more intriguing." I think that would have been intriguing as well, but I find it firstly ridiculous to mold that said female character into an impenetrable force - both in mind, body, and power - and not give us any perspective of her inner thoughts or how she came to be that way. Additionally, most of Serena's actions are carried out by another male character which kind of defeats his explanation.
It's not groundbreaking to give a female character power or, honestly, to do it "at a time when women had few opportunities to achieve such power." But did she REALLY achieve this power? We are given a half-assed explanation into her past that is as believable as a fish flying (her Colorado upbringing that I was hoping would be expanded upon was not) and the sparse details that she sought out Pemberton before luring him into marriage with - this is made extremely clear - her body.
With this said "power" she turns into the mistress of the timber camp with all the workers viewing her as a sort of vengeful goddess. Outside of these pages, it is more clear that she is simply a killer we are expected to understand at face value who uses her body for her own unexplored purposes. Thank you, feminist hero.
Safe to say, I fucking hated Serena's character, which is especially sad as she was the driving force behind why I read the book in the first place. I kept expecting to flip the page and get a new detail that would give me insight into why she acted so ruthlessly and devoid of emotion. The reason we are meant to accept (which is on the back of the book and not a spoiler) is of Pemberton aiding his baby-mama and child behind Serena's back. This is so poorly developed within the actual story that without going into the novel expecting it I would've been confused or even more annoyed at its conclusion. I won't even go into the epilogue/coda because it is too ridiculous and farfetched that I'd rather forget about it.
It is frustrating to see a novel with two half-assembled female characters - one flat and one slightly rounded as we are given some insight into her feelings, though she too feels like a caricature of the idyllic pioneer woman with a baby on her back - be given so much literary praise when there are novels with much more accurate depictions of womanhood out there.
I am not taking any fault with the writing of this novel; it built the atmosphere quite wonderfully. But I cannot forgive Rash for positioning this book of supposed evilness of womanhood on the dubious explanation that Serena cannot get pregnant and therefore wishes to murder the woman who has had her husband's child (which was entirely before Serena even knew him).
As for this Rachel Harmon, besides the glimpses of her POV that we are given, we still had to suffer through Pemberton's disparaging male gaze in multiple scenes of him questioning why he ever found her attractive. I'm putting myself in a sour mood by writing this but I am so used to the male gaze in media that I have absolutely no patience for it anymore, especially in literature that I look to escape in.
To declare that few women had power at this time and to present us with a "proper" example of a contemporarily powerful woman who remains static the entire novel and seems to only represent wild greed, murder, and lust is not my idea of "a villainess like no other" as a quote on the back proudly declares. I can now guess why the movie adaptation must've flopped even with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in the main roles.
I believe Rash put more effort into building the setting and vernacular, framing the story, and the too-many-to-remember workers' POVs at the sacrifice of well-rounded characters, especially women. This is not a play, as he cited "consciously evoking" MacBeth in the novel, there are no actors to give life and emotion to the lines. This is just another upsettingly flat depiction of good versus evil with women positioned on the front lines instead of men.
mmihaly's review against another edition
4.0
Amazingly well written, beautiful descriptions, and only a handful of characters worth redemption. This book was hard to read at times and the title character Serena, is cutthroat. I cannot stop thinking about the book's supporting characters even after finishing. Thought provoking and rich in detail!
nancy33's review against another edition
2.0
Slow start, it finally started getting interesting 3/4 of the way into the book. I must be missing the allure that other people found.
theseventhl's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book as I was reading it, but the more I reflect on it, the more I love it, so screw it, five stars. Brilliant, layered writing as always from Ron Rash, with some powerhouse characters that are hard to forget - the number one being, of course, Serena. Hopefully I'll read some Ron Rash again sooner than later.
icalyn_13's review against another edition
3.0
Just finished this book. It is dark and twisty and hard to describe....and I'm having trouble deciding if this was a fantastic story or a horrible one.
It was exceptionally well written, the characters are very developed and you feel like you can see the mountains that are being described. There are so many pieces of the story that are happening at once, and it is like the story takes a turn to the dark side, and the characters barely realize the path they have just started down. Serena is one of the coldest, fiercest characters I've ever read. A part of me respects her for her strength, but she truly has no soul, which becomes painfully clear as the story moves forward.
Overall, I liked it, but I hated how much I ended up hating most of the characters. It's hard to enjoy a story when you are hoping for their demise.
It was exceptionally well written, the characters are very developed and you feel like you can see the mountains that are being described. There are so many pieces of the story that are happening at once, and it is like the story takes a turn to the dark side, and the characters barely realize the path they have just started down. Serena is one of the coldest, fiercest characters I've ever read. A part of me respects her for her strength, but she truly has no soul, which becomes painfully clear as the story moves forward.
Overall, I liked it, but I hated how much I ended up hating most of the characters. It's hard to enjoy a story when you are hoping for their demise.
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Misogyny, Stalking, Animal death, Pregnancy, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Murder
beillumined's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. I found it fascinating, I found the characters fascinating, I especially found Serena herself to be fascinating. But I wanted to know more, and that's what I never got out of it. I never got the "why"... we got to read bits and pieces about Serena's past... like, oooh, she burnt down her house and all the photographs, how mysterious. But what does that tell us about her? Well, heck if I know. Sure, she might be a little insane. Sure, she's pretty driven. But why? I wanted some background on her character. On all the characters. I felt like none of them had any dimension to them. I never connected to any of the characters. And I really did not understand the ending. Who was who at the end? It was an intriguing book over all, so I did enjoy it very much, but I can't give it 5 stars because of the lack of character development.
browardvanessa's review against another edition
3.0
It really picked up steam towards the end and that was the most interesting part. The beginning was OK, but the middle was slow going. There were parts I was happy with, others sad with and I suppose justice for one character. I did have a little trouble with understanding Serena, I just thought there would be more to her motives.
UPDATE AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE
I now know why the movie went straight to DVD. What I don't know is why they changed so much of the book. I really couldn't connect with any of the characters. The movie was awful! At least the book focused on Serena's ambition. The movie twisted everything around and made a horrible story.
UPDATE AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE
I now know why the movie went straight to DVD. What I don't know is why they changed so much of the book. I really couldn't connect with any of the characters. The movie was awful! At least the book focused on Serena's ambition. The movie twisted everything around and made a horrible story.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
In Depression-era North Carolina, a lumber baron marries Serena and brings her to the lumber camps to live. Her ambition outmatches his and she drives him to succeed, prosper, and expand at any cost.
Wow. What a character Ron Rash has created in Serena. I detested her, but she is going to stick with me the way Lady MacBeth and Medea have. I had to admire her strength and ambition, but she was ruthless and proud of it. She almost seemed to see those weaker than her as prey, and she saw almost everyone as being weaker than her. There's a kind of mythology that springs up around her in the camp. She thinks of ingenious solutions to problems, such as rattlesnake bites among the loggers. She really doesn't care when loggers die though. It's the Depression after all, and for every one worker that dies or is disfigured, there are innumerable men waiting to take his place. I would have liked an explanation as to why she was the way she was. She grew up in the camps, and there's a dark past that's hinted at but never explained. Was she just born heartless or did something or someone shape her to be that way?
This book takes place practically in my backyard, and I had heard that these mountains were devastated back in the day. It's one thing to just kind of know that, and it's another to live it for two years inside a book. This one fictional camp ended in the clear-cutting of 34,000 acres. I can't even wrap my mind around that much land. I had to go Google some pictures. Look at these links. Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, today. Mount Mitchell in 1923. I don't understand how people look at a landscape and see not beauty, but dollar signs at any human and/or environmental cost. Ron Rash didn't hit me over the head with the environmental stuff, but there is sort of a Greek chorus of workers who occasionally look around and talk about how all the animals have left and how all the cool, clear mountain streams are now muddy and empty of fish because of run-off from the denuded slopes. There's a whole sub-plot about the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I was infuriated by the roadblocks these selfish, wealthy landowners threw up in the path to creating the park. I can understand a farmer not wanting to give up the land that has been in his family for generations. It makes me angry when people who are destroying the land stand in the way of those who are trying to preserve it. I'll get off my soapbox now.
This is not the book to pick up if you're looking for a light read. But for a fascinating look into a disturbing mind and a book where the landscape is practically a character, go ahead and read it. I do recommend it. Book clubs should find a lot to talk about in this one.
Wow. What a character Ron Rash has created in Serena. I detested her, but she is going to stick with me the way Lady MacBeth and Medea have. I had to admire her strength and ambition, but she was ruthless and proud of it. She almost seemed to see those weaker than her as prey, and she saw almost everyone as being weaker than her. There's a kind of mythology that springs up around her in the camp. She thinks of ingenious solutions to problems, such as rattlesnake bites among the loggers. She really doesn't care when loggers die though. It's the Depression after all, and for every one worker that dies or is disfigured, there are innumerable men waiting to take his place. I would have liked an explanation as to why she was the way she was. She grew up in the camps, and there's a dark past that's hinted at but never explained. Was she just born heartless or did something or someone shape her to be that way?
|Euripides|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178046733s/752900.jpg|2936587]){kind=link}
This book takes place practically in my backyard, and I had heard that these mountains were devastated back in the day. It's one thing to just kind of know that, and it's another to live it for two years inside a book. This one fictional camp ended in the clear-cutting of 34,000 acres. I can't even wrap my mind around that much land. I had to go Google some pictures. Look at these links. Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, today. Mount Mitchell in 1923. I don't understand how people look at a landscape and see not beauty, but dollar signs at any human and/or environmental cost. Ron Rash didn't hit me over the head with the environmental stuff, but there is sort of a Greek chorus of workers who occasionally look around and talk about how all the animals have left and how all the cool, clear mountain streams are now muddy and empty of fish because of run-off from the denuded slopes. There's a whole sub-plot about the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I was infuriated by the roadblocks these selfish, wealthy landowners threw up in the path to creating the park. I can understand a farmer not wanting to give up the land that has been in his family for generations. It makes me angry when people who are destroying the land stand in the way of those who are trying to preserve it. I'll get off my soapbox now.
This is not the book to pick up if you're looking for a light read. But for a fascinating look into a disturbing mind and a book where the landscape is practically a character, go ahead and read it. I do recommend it. Book clubs should find a lot to talk about in this one.
maradd's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this story about a ruthless woman lumber baron. Great read!