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unhingedfemalelead's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jamieclarkson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebobsphere's review against another edition
3.0
When I started this project to read all of Margaret Atwood’s 17 novels, I was expecting a slow start then a gradual build up. Since I thought her third novel, Lady Oracle to be fantastic, I mistakenly believed that each succeeding novel would top that. I guess I was wrong as I didn’t like Life Before Man and Bodily Harm, her 5th novel, did not impress me much. I do admire her for trying out different things though.
Bodily Harm is a feminist political thriller. There are boat chases, guns, drug smuggling, moments of romance, prisons, corrupt politicians; it’s all there. In one way you could call it a high octane adventure novel but Atwood does go deeper,
The main protagonist is journalist, Rennie: she is a cancer survivor and has had two major relationships. One is with the sado-masochistic, sexist Jake, who treats her as an object. The other is with her doctor Daniel, who loves her but is committed to his role as an upstanding family man. Finally she knows that she has to escape when she finds out that her house has been broken into and the person leaves a rope on her bed. Luckily, she has been sent to write an article praising a Caribbean island. Little does she know that life over there will be equally complex.
Bodily Harm is about masculine dominance. All the males in the book have some sort of power over Rennie: for Jake it’s sexual, Daniel is medical, Paul, a man Rennie strikes a relationship with in the Caribbean coerces her to join him on adventures. Then there’s the three male politicians who feed off on power from the country. Throughout the book Rennie is called sweet and naive, even by the 2 strongest female protagonists in the book. However, the events change her outlook on life and she does become stronger.
Did I like the book? despite multilayered plot, I found the prose to be a bit flat. I struggled a lot to be interested in the characters and situations but I did get bored in places. Personally I thought the parts taking place in Toronto and Rennie’s change to be the more interesting sections. Even the writing was okish, bordering on the functional at times. Definitely not a dud but I do know that there are better Atwood novels. In fact, the next one will e the one that made her an author of worldwide renown.
Bodily Harm is a feminist political thriller. There are boat chases, guns, drug smuggling, moments of romance, prisons, corrupt politicians; it’s all there. In one way you could call it a high octane adventure novel but Atwood does go deeper,
The main protagonist is journalist, Rennie: she is a cancer survivor and has had two major relationships. One is with the sado-masochistic, sexist Jake, who treats her as an object. The other is with her doctor Daniel, who loves her but is committed to his role as an upstanding family man. Finally she knows that she has to escape when she finds out that her house has been broken into and the person leaves a rope on her bed. Luckily, she has been sent to write an article praising a Caribbean island. Little does she know that life over there will be equally complex.
Bodily Harm is about masculine dominance. All the males in the book have some sort of power over Rennie: for Jake it’s sexual, Daniel is medical, Paul, a man Rennie strikes a relationship with in the Caribbean coerces her to join him on adventures. Then there’s the three male politicians who feed off on power from the country. Throughout the book Rennie is called sweet and naive, even by the 2 strongest female protagonists in the book. However, the events change her outlook on life and she does become stronger.
Did I like the book? despite multilayered plot, I found the prose to be a bit flat. I struggled a lot to be interested in the characters and situations but I did get bored in places. Personally I thought the parts taking place in Toronto and Rennie’s change to be the more interesting sections. Even the writing was okish, bordering on the functional at times. Definitely not a dud but I do know that there are better Atwood novels. In fact, the next one will e the one that made her an author of worldwide renown.
mysticalmachole's review against another edition
4.0
For most of this book I felt as though I was trudging along, trying to finish it because it's short and I hate to put books down and, until this book, couldn't get enough Atwood. Finally, around the last 100 pages or so, I *really* got into this story. And then—it ended and I wanted more of it! I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone who is a first-time Atwood reader. But I'm glad I read it. Glad I finished it. Kind of glad it's over!
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
Hm no this wasn't for me. Didn't see the point in this book or enjoyed it
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of Atwood's earlier books, and I can definitely see some differences in her writing.
I think what I love about Margaret Atwood is that she is able to write about complex feelings and emotions, but in a round-about way that does not make it obvious that she is doing it.
This was the story of Rennie, a woman recently recovering from breast cancer (and feeling that her life is over). She basically stops living until she decides to go on a trip to a middle of nowhere island to get away from her life for a bit. And that's what happens...in a way. She gets a little caught up in a little revolution...
In typical Atwood fashion, the ending leaves the reader wondering...
Oh Atwood! I heart you!
I think what I love about Margaret Atwood is that she is able to write about complex feelings and emotions, but in a round-about way that does not make it obvious that she is doing it.
This was the story of Rennie, a woman recently recovering from breast cancer (and feeling that her life is over). She basically stops living until she decides to go on a trip to a middle of nowhere island to get away from her life for a bit. And that's what happens...in a way. She gets a little caught up in a little revolution...
In typical Atwood fashion, the ending leaves the reader wondering...
Oh Atwood! I heart you!
growlcat's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favourite Margaret Attwood. Although I guess the intention is for the book to be about relationships of different kinds, the setting of a coup on a Caribbean island is not well explained and adds a layer of confusion to the aim of the novel.
jessby's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of Atwood's earlier novels and although there are glimpses of the writer she will become this one left me non-plussed.
Rennie is a journalist dealing with a partial mastectomy and subsequently her own mortality. She travels to a small Caribbean island under the premise of a writing travel piece but really just to escape reality for a few weeks. She gets involved with some locals, and becomes caught up in political unrest which eventuates into a coup. A book has to be exceptionally well written when all the characters are as unlikeable as they are in Bodily Harm. Rennie makes some incredibly stupid decisions and while I was sympathetic towards her, I didn't like her. None of the other characters including Jake, Lora and Paul are likeable in the least. Atwood's skill saves this from being a flop but it's certainly not one of her best.
Rennie is a journalist dealing with a partial mastectomy and subsequently her own mortality. She travels to a small Caribbean island under the premise of a writing travel piece but really just to escape reality for a few weeks. She gets involved with some locals, and becomes caught up in political unrest which eventuates into a coup. A book has to be exceptionally well written when all the characters are as unlikeable as they are in Bodily Harm. Rennie makes some incredibly stupid decisions and while I was sympathetic towards her, I didn't like her. None of the other characters including Jake, Lora and Paul are likeable in the least. Atwood's skill saves this from being a flop but it's certainly not one of her best.
hphipps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
ivanssister's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't as good as the usual Atwood. The main character gets herself tangled up in some things that most people would be smart enough to avoid, so I couldn't really sympathize with her.