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hannahchesley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I found the message cloudy and weak. And I thought some parts had transphobic undertones. The paratext by the author literally says it’s a reaction to the big feminist response to her successful novel ‘Vox’, and personally I think Femlandia reeks of that bitterness towards certain feminists.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
lmclar12's review against another edition
1.0
2.5 stars. This is the second book by this author where I have hated the ending. I think if she just hadn’t included the epilogue I would have thought it was better. I really enjoyed the premise of this book: a utopia just for women. And the conflict of having all the boys born into the camp had a « the ones who walk away from omelas” feel that I really enjoyed but why would things go back to normal in the epilogue. It makes me sad for the author that she has enough imagination to write these books yet not enough to ever, even in her wildest dreams, break free from the patriarchy in her books. Is it that ingrained in her? I think she had a really interesting opportunity here that she completely squandered.
Edit: Changing my review to 1 star because there was a scene promoting being a terf and that is absolutely not on.
Edit: Changing my review to 1 star because there was a scene promoting being a terf and that is absolutely not on.
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
2.0
Having read Dalcher's other novels, I knew Femlandia would not be the utopia it portrayed itself to be, but I was ready for it. Bring on the matriarchal dystopia! It was ugly and horrifying and compelling (just as I expected) right to the very end, but the epilogue completely ruined the book for me. I wish I hadn't read those last few pages.
reads_ellen's review against another edition
5.0
Femlandia is a skilfully crafted dystopian page turner that conjures up questions about patriarchy and individual autonomy vis-a-vis society at large.
Both elements of the book are powerful in their own right and the combination of the two is just delicious.
Both elements of the book are powerful in their own right and the combination of the two is just delicious.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
1.0
Okay, for starters, let me make something clear. I read this as a nonbinary/femme in a female-led relationship. I firmly believe in the principles of female domination and female leadership, and I believe a community by women for women could be wonderful place. You'd think I'm the perfect audience for this.
That said, I struggled with the fact that every single man we meet in the first third of the book is a monster or a creep. To a man, they're violent and cruel and selfish, either animal-like rapists and murders or cowardly suicides, the very worst examples of their gender.
At the same time, I was getting a really bad feeling about these Femlandia communes, misogynistic sanctuaries by man-hating women for man-hating women. I'm not saying it's the author's bias or opinion, as I know nothing about her, but Femlanida itself is super TERF-y.
That was at 34%, and that's where I gave up. I'm sure there's twists to come, revelations that may define some kind of theme or meaning, but this is either a celebration of the kind of TERFs I want nothing to do with, or a condemnation of feminism itself, which is hardly more appealing.
If I gave a damn about a single character, I might have kept reading . . . but given how little I enjoyed this, I doubt it.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2021/10/thriller-book-review-femlandia-by.html
That said, I struggled with the fact that every single man we meet in the first third of the book is a monster or a creep. To a man, they're violent and cruel and selfish, either animal-like rapists and murders or cowardly suicides, the very worst examples of their gender.
At the same time, I was getting a really bad feeling about these Femlandia communes, misogynistic sanctuaries by man-hating women for man-hating women. I'm not saying it's the author's bias or opinion, as I know nothing about her, but Femlanida itself is super TERF-y.
"Sister Jen has a strong preference against anything with a dick."
"I need to satisfy myself that you were always a woman."
"They can identify as a fucking hedgehog for all I care. I'm talking about what they are. Not what they think they are or what they want to be."
That was at 34%, and that's where I gave up. I'm sure there's twists to come, revelations that may define some kind of theme or meaning, but this is either a celebration of the kind of TERFs I want nothing to do with, or a condemnation of feminism itself, which is hardly more appealing.
If I gave a damn about a single character, I might have kept reading . . . but given how little I enjoyed this, I doubt it.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2021/10/thriller-book-review-femlandia-by.html
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the sound of this and was rather excited to see how it all played out. However I was severely disappointed. Didn't find the topics to be handled as well as I had hoped
charlottethebookharlot's review against another edition
4.0
A dystopian future where a woman and her daughter seek refuge in a safe haven designed exclusively for women.
this was another thought provoking novel from Christina Dalcher; I loved Vox and Femlandia was no exception. Although tough to read at times it was completely gripping and I couldn't put it down; absolutely thought provoking.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
this was another thought provoking novel from Christina Dalcher; I loved Vox and Femlandia was no exception. Although tough to read at times it was completely gripping and I couldn't put it down; absolutely thought provoking.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ publishers for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
the_book_snek's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the concept, found the ending a little too 'easy'.
brandy_reads's review against another edition
2.0
It is incredibly difficult to write my honest thoughts and feelings on this book without including spoilers so this will be brief.
I was extremely excited by the premise and was in the mood for a great dystopian novel. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Miranda’s character was either one who cared for children in need or one willing to leave a starving child on the side of the road? Which one is it? Emma enters Femlandia and becomes a completely different person with no build up or explanation. As for Femlandia, it started off with a transphobic comment. I kept reading because I thought perhaps it would get circled back to and resolved, but no, it was just a completely unnecessary comment that added nothing whatsoever to the story, unless the author was trying to make me feel sick – in which case, mission accomplished. There were also a lot of contradictions in what the founders of Femlandia believed in.
There was a lot of promise, I just don’t think it was executed well.
TW: sexual assault, child abuse, suicide
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC.
I was extremely excited by the premise and was in the mood for a great dystopian novel. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Miranda’s character was either one who cared for children in need or one willing to leave a starving child on the side of the road? Which one is it? Emma enters Femlandia and becomes a completely different person with no build up or explanation. As for Femlandia, it started off with a transphobic comment. I kept reading because I thought perhaps it would get circled back to and resolved, but no, it was just a completely unnecessary comment that added nothing whatsoever to the story, unless the author was trying to make me feel sick – in which case, mission accomplished. There were also a lot of contradictions in what the founders of Femlandia believed in.
There was a lot of promise, I just don’t think it was executed well.
TW: sexual assault, child abuse, suicide
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC.
strawbunniez's review against another edition
2.0
didnt like the lesbiphobia and transphobia but the writing style was very compelling