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kmhst25's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
2.75
Womanhood as defined by female authors in the 1960s was bleak. Weakness and accepted inferiority; desire to be sexually and socially dominated; desperation for a husband and children; crushing depression after the husband and children were obtained. I have never read a book written by a woman in the 1960s that didn't paint some part of that picture.
You'd think a book about a sentient space ship wouldn't fall into that trap, but you'd be wrong. Gender perceptions in this book are rough. In fact, the whole book is basically a sci-fi version of a Bridget Jones-esque attempt to find a man. And, as another reviewer pointed out, three women in this book become suicidal over the loss of a man. Layer on some stereotypes and uncomfortable relationships, and it's a lot.
Gender issues aside, there are some entertaining stories in here. Multiple of the storylines were unique and inventive, and I was generally having an okay time when I wasn't wondering what was in the water in the 60s. But the characters are pretty meh, either lacking in characterization or so over the top that they don't feel real, and there was a lot of drawn out conversation that got pretty tedious.
You'd think a book about a sentient space ship wouldn't fall into that trap, but you'd be wrong. Gender perceptions in this book are rough. In fact, the whole book is basically a sci-fi version of a Bridget Jones-esque attempt to find a man. And, as another reviewer pointed out, three women in this book become suicidal over the loss of a man. Layer on some stereotypes and uncomfortable relationships, and it's a lot.
Gender issues aside, there are some entertaining stories in here. Multiple of the storylines were unique and inventive, and I was generally having an okay time when I wasn't wondering what was in the water in the 60s. But the characters are pretty meh, either lacking in characterization or so over the top that they don't feel real, and there was a lot of drawn out conversation that got pretty tedious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Misogyny
eyesofcrows's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think it was a fun book and premise. There’s a few outdated notions but this is an old book. I enjoyed the premise of a, sort of, nonhuman narrator and the situations presented in this world. Some of it was a little weird, a bit of squick, but It’s still a decent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
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