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hmatt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I really wanted to give this book a chance because some of my most-trusted book people recommend it - and this is the only reason I actually finished it. I found that I really don't get along with the experimental writing style, in addition to other critiques.
I get that this is "technically" fiction, but to call it a novel would be misleading. It's a thinly-veiled (bad) memoir with a bit of spice thrown in. It sort-of masquerades as a thought experiment, except the experiment is stupid and no real insights come out of it. Probably half the book involves the narrator flipping coins and taking the "yes/no" result as divine wisdom.
I will reiterate: I really wanted to like this. I'm someone who does not want children and is extremely interested in what other people who don't want children have to say. But this work just doesn't say anything to me. The narrator's observations felt whiney, recycled, and cliche. Such a disappointment.
The chapter that I was actually the most captivated by was the one discussing mental health... so there you go. I'm not sure that one section was enough to convince me to give Heti another try, though.
I get that this is "technically" fiction, but to call it a novel would be misleading. It's a thinly-veiled (bad) memoir with a bit of spice thrown in. It sort-of masquerades as a thought experiment, except the experiment is stupid and no real insights come out of it. Probably half the book involves the narrator flipping coins and taking the "yes/no" result as divine wisdom.
I will reiterate: I really wanted to like this. I'm someone who does not want children and is extremely interested in what other people who don't want children have to say. But this work just doesn't say anything to me. The narrator's observations felt whiney, recycled, and cliche. Such a disappointment.
The chapter that I was actually the most captivated by was the one discussing mental health... so there you go. I'm not sure that one section was enough to convince me to give Heti another try, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Toxic relationship
CWs are not comprehensivecarrielucas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A thought provoking read but ultimately the stream of conscious-ness of it was a bit too slow for my taste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, Genocide, and Antisemitism
thejuliette's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this book, because it didnt turn out the book i expected it to be. Questions around (not) becoming a mother do get reflected on, but one of the main focus points of the story is the relationship she's in with her partner and, in a less significant way, her friends.
However the story does provide some reasons why (not) having children is such a big deal; change of lifestyle, fulfillment in life, balancing career and mother/fatherhood, pressure from friends, family and society, etc.
In a way i think it's a shame to see that through all of the questioning of her motives and the passing of time she comes to the conclusion she biologically wont be able (or doesnt want) to have children anymore. It gives me the feeling that avoiding the make a choice has resulted in passively having not children, instead of making an active desicion.
However the story does provide some reasons why (not) having children is such a big deal; change of lifestyle, fulfillment in life, balancing career and mother/fatherhood, pressure from friends, family and society, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, and Sexual content
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