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missprint_'s review
3.0
Every summer at the Marshall Naval School feels more real than anything else for the girls of Deck Five. Bonded through years of drills and sailing, the girls of Deck Five have always stood apart--none more so than Margaret and Rose and Flor and Nisreen. Bunkmates and sisters, always returning to each other, always carrying each other through the privation and striving every summer brings.
Until the summer when everything changes. When some girls don't come back to the school and when one boy is dead.
The boys say it's because of Margaret Moore and the night of the storm. But Margaret's friends know there has to be more to it.
Riding through the turmoult of the school, Margaret watches her friends disappear one by one until she's left with only the hazy memories of last summer and the stark realities of this one where lies threaten to pull Margaret under for good in I Am Margaret Moore (2022) by Hannah Capin.
I Am Margaret Moore is a standalone thriller with elements of the paranormal that readers are invited to interpret as fact or fiction as Margaret reveals more of her story. Short vignettes take the place of traditional chapters lending a frenzied, staccato feel to the novel which is even further underscored in Caitlin Davies' narration of the audiobook. Margaret and Rose are cued as white while Nisreen is from Jordan and Flor is from Venezuela. Nisreen and Flor are also in a romantic relationship which remains tangential to the plot and the focus on the otherwise platonic friendship between the four girls.
The extremely close focus of Margaret's narration makes this story intensely atmospheric as readers discover the secrets of both Marshall Naval School and Margaret's role in the events of the previous summer. A tightly managed plot and slow reveals lend themselves to suspense while I Am Margaret Moore unfolds until the final quarter of the novel where the tension and the pacing are cranked up to eleven.
Spoilers beyond this point:
Themes of agency and justice are familiar territory for Capin and play their role in this narrative as well although the final resolution will push the limits of willing suspension of disbelief for some readers--not just with Margaret's story but with the setting itself.
For most of the novel, Margaret's narration has a hazy quality which completely works for her character and the inexorable way the plot builds toward explanations and a final reckoning. Ultimately readers find that Margaret's story takes place around the 1940s or 1950s. In some ways, this setting is ideal as it justifies many of the difficulties Margaret faces while trying to get an abortion (originally slated for a 2021 publication, this book was written before the overturning of Roe V. Wade in June 2022). Unfortunately at the same time adding the historical setting also pushes credulity.
Having a large, prestigious naval school for girls at that time is so unlikely when women were being pushed out of the public sphere and encouraged to return to the home to make space for returning soldiers seeking work. Not to mention all of this coming well before the passing of Title IX in 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and raised awareness around such inequities. For further context the first women to attend the US Naval Academy--a school for older students than those at Marshall--weren't admitted until 1976.
The likelihood of such an institution aside, having one that is described as widely devoid of racism or homophobia (at least as interpreted through Margaret's narrow lens) seems impossible. We hear brief comments on the obstacles Nisreen and Flor face both as young women of color and for their relationship. But somehow those are all tied to their lives at home, none of the issues touching the hallowed grounds of Marshall.
Possible Pairings: The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Wicked Deep by Shea Earnshaw, A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee, Horrid by Katrina Leno, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo, The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Until the summer when everything changes. When some girls don't come back to the school and when one boy is dead.
The boys say it's because of Margaret Moore and the night of the storm. But Margaret's friends know there has to be more to it.
Riding through the turmoult of the school, Margaret watches her friends disappear one by one until she's left with only the hazy memories of last summer and the stark realities of this one where lies threaten to pull Margaret under for good in I Am Margaret Moore (2022) by Hannah Capin.
I Am Margaret Moore is a standalone thriller with elements of the paranormal that readers are invited to interpret as fact or fiction as Margaret reveals more of her story. Short vignettes take the place of traditional chapters lending a frenzied, staccato feel to the novel which is even further underscored in Caitlin Davies' narration of the audiobook. Margaret and Rose are cued as white while Nisreen is from Jordan and Flor is from Venezuela. Nisreen and Flor are also in a romantic relationship which remains tangential to the plot and the focus on the otherwise platonic friendship between the four girls.
The extremely close focus of Margaret's narration makes this story intensely atmospheric as readers discover the secrets of both Marshall Naval School and Margaret's role in the events of the previous summer. A tightly managed plot and slow reveals lend themselves to suspense while I Am Margaret Moore unfolds until the final quarter of the novel where the tension and the pacing are cranked up to eleven.
Spoilers beyond this point:
Spoiler
Themes of agency and justice are familiar territory for Capin and play their role in this narrative as well although the final resolution will push the limits of willing suspension of disbelief for some readers--not just with Margaret's story but with the setting itself.
For most of the novel, Margaret's narration has a hazy quality which completely works for her character and the inexorable way the plot builds toward explanations and a final reckoning. Ultimately readers find that Margaret's story takes place around the 1940s or 1950s. In some ways, this setting is ideal as it justifies many of the difficulties Margaret faces while trying to get an abortion (originally slated for a 2021 publication, this book was written before the overturning of Roe V. Wade in June 2022). Unfortunately at the same time adding the historical setting also pushes credulity.
Having a large, prestigious naval school for girls at that time is so unlikely when women were being pushed out of the public sphere and encouraged to return to the home to make space for returning soldiers seeking work. Not to mention all of this coming well before the passing of Title IX in 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and raised awareness around such inequities. For further context the first women to attend the US Naval Academy--a school for older students than those at Marshall--weren't admitted until 1976.
The likelihood of such an institution aside, having one that is described as widely devoid of racism or homophobia (at least as interpreted through Margaret's narrow lens) seems impossible. We hear brief comments on the obstacles Nisreen and Flor face both as young women of color and for their relationship. But somehow those are all tied to their lives at home, none of the issues touching the hallowed grounds of Marshall.
Possible Pairings: The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Wicked Deep by Shea Earnshaw, A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee, Horrid by Katrina Leno, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo, The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
lunamoon62's review
4.0
This was actually so good, such a pleasant surprise! The writing was beautiful and the message was so needed and we had some amazing strong female mcs. This book is very abstract, in that sometimes you can't tell what's real and what isn't, and it's not very clear. But the atmosphere was flawless, and it really did leave a mark for me. This is sliding under the radar, but if you'd like a nice, empowering, spooky summer read with gorgeously lyrical writing and a fever-dream-esgue vibe, you might want to pick this one up. I will say, I didn't find triggers anywhere so I wasn't expecting this to be quite as upsetting as it was; I'd look into the content warnings before reading and make sure you're in a good place to read it. This was so unexpected and stunning, and I really felt immersed in the story. It was a beautiful, haunting journey and I didn't want it to end.
capesandcovers's review
4.0
TWs: sexual assault, blood, gore, death, abortion
I'm going to be honest, the blurb for I am Margaret Moore didn't really interest me, but because I loved Hannah Capin's last novel, Foul is Fair, so much I decided to read it anyway. As it turns out, it was an excellent spur of the moment decision on my part, because I ended up really loving it. It's been awhile l since I've read about rich people drama and this was a special kind, if for no other reason than the way Capin flawlessly captures raw emotions in her work.
I am Margaret Moore was a bit difficult to follow at times, and even though Margaret is supposed to be an unreliable narrator, I did think it got a little too convoluted at points. I don't mind unreliable narration, but I did feel like I ended up having to re-read parts multiple times. However, I still really enjoyed the book as a whole, especially when it came to Margaret and the rest of the Deck Five girls. Sisterhood was an important theme in Foul is Fair as well, and it's one of the reasons I ended up loving the book so much in both cases. There's a very wild, intense bond between all of the girls, Margaret, Rose, Nasreen and Flor, but it extends out to all of the girls, even though most of them are nameless and have no real role in the story.
I also really loved the plot twist, which I hadn't seen coming since I had forgotten that it wasn't pitched as a contemporary novel, and the way the story really began to bloom after the reader finds out. It definitely ended differently than I thought it was going to, but I really, really loved it. If it weren't for getting so confusing at times I'd have given it 5 stars, but I'm hoping that it's something that will have been smoothed over by the time the finished copy comes out.
I'm going to be honest, the blurb for I am Margaret Moore didn't really interest me, but because I loved Hannah Capin's last novel, Foul is Fair, so much I decided to read it anyway. As it turns out, it was an excellent spur of the moment decision on my part, because I ended up really loving it. It's been awhile l since I've read about rich people drama and this was a special kind, if for no other reason than the way Capin flawlessly captures raw emotions in her work.
I am Margaret Moore was a bit difficult to follow at times, and even though Margaret is supposed to be an unreliable narrator, I did think it got a little too convoluted at points. I don't mind unreliable narration, but I did feel like I ended up having to re-read parts multiple times. However, I still really enjoyed the book as a whole, especially when it came to Margaret and the rest of the Deck Five girls. Sisterhood was an important theme in Foul is Fair as well, and it's one of the reasons I ended up loving the book so much in both cases. There's a very wild, intense bond between all of the girls, Margaret, Rose, Nasreen and Flor, but it extends out to all of the girls, even though most of them are nameless and have no real role in the story.
I also really loved the plot twist, which I hadn't seen coming since I had forgotten that it wasn't pitched as a contemporary novel, and the way the story really began to bloom after the reader finds out. It definitely ended differently than I thought it was going to, but I really, really loved it. If it weren't for getting so confusing at times I'd have given it 5 stars, but I'm hoping that it's something that will have been smoothed over by the time the finished copy comes out.
sallenreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My favorite part of I AM MARGARET MOORE is the writing -- Capin writes in such a poetic way and really brings the atmosphere of Marshall and its surroundings to life. While some readers won't connect with this particular style, I can see it being a good fit for those who enjoy darker novels in verse.
I think the pacing is also going to divide a lot of readers. From a logical standpoint, it seems like not much happens until the plot twist 2/3 through. On the other hand, the slow pacing of that first section of the book drew me in and got me invested, which made that plot twist hit that much harder. This book would probably be a better fit for readers who don't mind slower paced books, or are looking for something that feels a little more unsettling.
Ultimately, I found I AM MARGARET MOORE to be an impactful book about girls who feel silenced and that their ability to choose has been taken from them, all to protect the boys who put them in that situation in the first place. While the framing is unconventional, ultimately the book is about Margaret reclaiming her sense of self. This has potential to resonate with the readers who do connect to this book.
Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a copy for review.
I think the pacing is also going to divide a lot of readers. From a logical standpoint, it seems like not much happens until the plot twist 2/3 through. On the other hand, the slow pacing of that first section of the book drew me in and got me invested, which made that plot twist hit that much harder. This book would probably be a better fit for readers who don't mind slower paced books, or are looking for something that feels a little more unsettling.
Ultimately, I found I AM MARGARET MOORE to be an impactful book about girls who feel silenced and that their ability to choose has been taken from them, all to protect the boys who put them in that situation in the first place. While the framing is unconventional, ultimately the book is about Margaret reclaiming her sense of self. This has potential to resonate with the readers who do connect to this book.
Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a copy for review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content
helloimkaitlin's review
2.0
I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn’t. My biggest issue with the book is the writing style. I don’t mind prose, but the book sometimes read as poetry and other times didn’t. It felt at times the style took away from the story being told, and I’d get confused (or zone out a little tbh lol). For a YA novel, it just wasn’t at all what I was expecting, and I was mostly rushing through to try and be done with it…
lazygal's review
2.0
A paranaval academy for girls that runs during the summer? ooookay. The culture of the camp is lost under the mystery of what happened the summer before, and information is so slowly doled out that it's a little difficult to figure out 1. why the girls are so invested in the place and 2. what happened.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
katykat3's review
2.0
I was really excited to pick this book up after loving [b:Golden Boys Beware: A Novel|56269169|Golden Boys Beware A Novel|Hannah Capin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610730288l/56269169._SY75_.jpg|66290359], but although there are a lot of common themes in each of the books, I just didn't fall for [b:I Am Margaret Moore|56269141|I Am Margaret Moore|Hannah Capin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610730252l/56269141._SY75_.jpg|69746368] in the same way.
I had trouble with the pacing: I felt like the first third of the book was a bit too slow. The lyrical writing in the book also added to the slow feeling in my opinion, with Capin using similar blocks of text when it was suggesting that Margaret was going to open up to the reader.
What I liked so much about Golden Boys Beware was that terrible things happened to Jade, but she was able to respond and take a lot of action with her friends. So much of this book is waiting for Margaret to tell us the entire story of the past, and once that's finished, you realize that Margaret is just in a state that will make it very difficult to change her situation much. It was just difficult for me to read this book when I felt like nothing much could be done. Themes and relationships that I had enjoyed in Golden Boys Beware did become more common in the end, allowing me to see a clear connection between the two, but I just felt like there was a big lack of hope and also a lack of agency for most of this book than what I remember feeling in GBB. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're feeling blue or in a funk or anything.
Also, I don't know anything about boats, and I don't think enough boat detail was given in the book, so it was difficult for me to visualize some scenes. And I wish that more time had been spent talking about the camp set up because I did not understand the difference between a third year and a first year summer for most of the book and that made things really confusing.
TW:
I had trouble with the pacing: I felt like the first third of the book was a bit too slow. The lyrical writing in the book also added to the slow feeling in my opinion, with Capin using similar blocks of text when it was suggesting that Margaret was going to open up to the reader.
What I liked so much about Golden Boys Beware was that terrible things happened to Jade, but she was able to respond and take a lot of action with her friends. So much of this book is waiting for Margaret to tell us the entire story of the past, and once that's finished, you realize that Margaret is just in a state that will make it very difficult to change her situation much. It was just difficult for me to read this book when I felt like nothing much could be done. Themes and relationships that I had enjoyed in Golden Boys Beware did become more common in the end, allowing me to see a clear connection between the two, but I just felt like there was a big lack of hope and also a lack of agency for most of this book than what I remember feeling in GBB. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're feeling blue or in a funk or anything.
Also, I don't know anything about boats, and I don't think enough boat detail was given in the book, so it was difficult for me to visualize some scenes. And I wish that more time had been spent talking about the camp set up because I did not understand the difference between a third year and a first year summer for most of the book and that made things really confusing.
TW:
Spoiler
drowning, poisoning, blood, forced abortion, slut shaming, romantic cheating....like really do not read this if you are feeling sademilyctrigg's review
4.0
3.5/5
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I Am Margaret Moore is a book about a girl who lives for the summers where she can go to camp and prove who she really is. Margaret loves nothing more than the girls who live with her in bunk 5.... except for the one summer where she chooses a boy over her best friends. That summer, something happened. But no one is talking about it-- especially not Margaret's friends or that boy whom she refuses to name.
I knew this book was going to be weird. I had previously read Hannah Capin's book Foul is Fair and adored it. This book does have some similarities. Both are about female empowerment, revenge, and friendship. Both have supernatural elements and a train-of-consciousness type of style. However, I have to say that I think FiF was executed much better than this title. The style of writing, while appropriate for the story, came across much more repetitive and overdone than it did in FiF. I wish the second half of the story had been a bit shorter (thus, less repetitive)-- I think it could have made a *SUPERB* short story/novella vs a full length novel.
That being said, I did genuinely enjoy this title and will continue to pick up Hannah Capin's books in the future. I will also be purchasing my own copy of this book for my personal library. This just wasn't my favorite HC book of all time.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I Am Margaret Moore is a book about a girl who lives for the summers where she can go to camp and prove who she really is. Margaret loves nothing more than the girls who live with her in bunk 5.... except for the one summer where she chooses a boy over her best friends. That summer, something happened. But no one is talking about it-- especially not Margaret's friends or that boy whom she refuses to name.
I knew this book was going to be weird. I had previously read Hannah Capin's book Foul is Fair and adored it. This book does have some similarities. Both are about female empowerment, revenge, and friendship. Both have supernatural elements and a train-of-consciousness type of style. However, I have to say that I think FiF was executed much better than this title. The style of writing, while appropriate for the story, came across much more repetitive and overdone than it did in FiF. I wish the second half of the story had been a bit shorter (thus, less repetitive)-- I think it could have made a *SUPERB* short story/novella vs a full length novel.
That being said, I did genuinely enjoy this title and will continue to pick up Hannah Capin's books in the future. I will also be purchasing my own copy of this book for my personal library. This just wasn't my favorite HC book of all time.