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the_beatific_bluestocking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Snow in the spring and we're all quite grouchy. We pump our bike tires, pack away our sweaters, rejoice in the sunshine to every soul we meet, even though we know, we KNOW this happens. ❄️
What a trip to read this book while my little corner of the world erupts in a second round of seasonal affective disorder.
Women Talking is the somewhat true story of a Bolivian Mennonite community in the early 2000s. For years the women believed they were being visited by ghosts, demons, even the devil in the night or made to believe the violence they experienced in their sleep was a figment of their wild imaginations. When the truth is revealed, more than 300 cases of rape over four years, the women have 48 hours to decide what they will make of their lives in the aftermath.
This book is dialogue heavy without a single quotation mark. Toews brilliantly blurs the lines of opinion, emotion, and description with this strategy. I often forgot I was reading a fictional account and got quite involved in their debates questioning love, faith, loyalty, forgiveness, and liberation in a completely unknown world. Suddenly, shoveling snow doesn't seem so bad.
Here's the spoiler‼️
In reality, the women never left the colony, they never fought for a new way forward, today several women are attempting to recant their testimony and free the imprisoned men. I feel my whole body react to this. I shovel snow and wonder how they can be saved, do I go to Bolivia myself, do they want to be saved, they must, this is unreal, this is real, this is happening, right now.
Women Talking pulled me outside of my own protected rural bubble, to feel the sharp pain of a stranger's experience, to feel, feel, feel...to remember this is why I read and this is what really good books are made of.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Death of parent
elenaj15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse
bookforthought's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
sgrizzle's review against another edition
3.75
(As an aside, I read an interview with the author where she said she wanted to base a story on the real situation, but also she didn’t want it to be about the violence itself, since so many stories are about violence, but about coping with the aftermath. I really appreciate that take.)
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Religious bigotry
sarahholliday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The subject matter is dark and horrifying, yet the pages are filled with humor, tenderness, and resilience. It is a book about women, but we read all of their thoughts and words through the transcription of a man. By most standards, very little happens "on the page"—we spend two days in a hay loft with a group of women deciding whether they will stay in or leave their cloistered community. And yet, we get such an expansive look at their daily lives, their culture, and their personalities.
I read 135 pages in one sitting because the story drew me in immediately, and the simple, straightforward way August transcribes the meetings combined with his philosophical musings made the reading experience both quick and engaging.
If you can handle the heavy subject matter, I couldn't recommend this book enough.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
vaguelyacademic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
annahelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Pregnancy
katierobertsonshaddix's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
carlytenille's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail