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dembury's review
1.0
I wish I hadn't wasted my time reading this book. It's an immensely frustrating read that falsely prides itself on thinking about well-being for every child and family (not just white, skinny, straight people) all while being told by the most bland, white, skinniest, straightest character possible and totally ignoring other ethnic groups, races, sexualities, etc. It pays brief lip service to these communities without actually bringing them up.
It's incredibly fatphobic - like, SO fatphobic. The only fat characters are "evil" ones, and the main character has such an obvious aversion/disgust to even the idea of having a roll on her belly.
The characters are little more than stereotypes. The writing is poor and leans heavily on tired tropes and ideas, offering nothing fresh to think about. Also, the writing/plot is messy, dragging on for 150 pages and then careening all over with little rhyme or reason.
This whole book just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Edit: another reviewer (link to their review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3160913135?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) said this and it accurately sums up how I felt about how I felt about that first aspect I mentioned:
"It is mentioned that the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and those that suffer with mental health issues are specifically targeted groups of society under this new and oppressive mandate. But, not giving them any voice or representation past a single token lesbian character, who has no role within the context of the story, I found to be shameful.
Instead we again see what a hard time the straight, middle-class, highly educated, white woman (who somehow caused these systems to be rolled out in the first place) had when dealing with the repercussions. If an author "cares" enough to acknowledge the struggle these groups face, why not do something to accommodate for them in their own story? It comes across as "fake-woke" to mention it and then to leave it alone. Instead they'd sooner write from inside their own little bubble of understanding. Only giving voice to those they can relate to personally."
It's incredibly fatphobic - like, SO fatphobic. The only fat characters are "evil" ones, and the main character has such an obvious aversion/disgust to even the idea of having a roll on her belly.
The characters are little more than stereotypes. The writing is poor and leans heavily on tired tropes and ideas, offering nothing fresh to think about. Also, the writing/plot is messy, dragging on for 150 pages and then careening all over with little rhyme or reason.
This whole book just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Edit: another reviewer (link to their review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3160913135?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) said this and it accurately sums up how I felt about how I felt about that first aspect I mentioned:
"It is mentioned that the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and those that suffer with mental health issues are specifically targeted groups of society under this new and oppressive mandate. But, not giving them any voice or representation past a single token lesbian character, who has no role within the context of the story, I found to be shameful.
Instead we again see what a hard time the straight, middle-class, highly educated, white woman (who somehow caused these systems to be rolled out in the first place) had when dealing with the repercussions. If an author "cares" enough to acknowledge the struggle these groups face, why not do something to accommodate for them in their own story? It comes across as "fake-woke" to mention it and then to leave it alone. Instead they'd sooner write from inside their own little bubble of understanding. Only giving voice to those they can relate to personally."
kruthika_prakash's review against another edition
3.0
Q is about a society that lays emphasis on its Q scores—performance quotient of everyone of school or working age. The zeitgeist of the characters in the novel okays social segregation as failure is perceived contagious. With the development of AI, the book is surely relevant.
https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/2023/05/q-by-dalcher-christina-thought.html
https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/2023/05/q-by-dalcher-christina-thought.html
thephdivabooks's review
5.0
Master Class is without a doubt one of the most thought-provoking, socially terrifying books I have read. Not by overt horror but through the way she crafts a society that by the end of the book doesn’t seem so far off from our own. Absolutely gripping and brilliant!
I love a good dystopian fiction novel on occasion, but I’m picky about them. If you are the type of reader who tends to find that they aren’t a good fit for you, give Master Class by Christina Dalcher a try because I can almost guarantee it will change your mind! Fascinating, gripping, and an ending that will have your mind reeling!
In the book, the country breaks all people out according to their Q score—an index of their intelligence but also certain factors about their life, such as their parent’s Q scores and jobs. Elena Fairchild is a mother to two daughters—Anne and Freddie.
All kids are assigned to a three-tiered school system depending on their Q score, and Elena’s kids are in the highest tier (a prestigious school where Elena herself teaches). Students are tested monthly, and if their score drops too low, they get dropped a tier (or very rarely two tiers) in their school. While kids can go down a level based on a bad Q score, they aren’t really able to go back up a tier based on a good score.
This premise is interesting, right? Initially on reading it, I thought a lot about the logic of it all. A system that in theory places kids in schools with others of a similar ability level, so that instruction can be most effective doesn’t sound so wild in theory. But these Q scores permeate life. They determine what jobs you can get, whether you get priority checkout at the grocery store, and what opportunities your kids have.
Elena and her husband both have high Q scores, and their elder daughter Anne is a high-performer who consistently maintains a high Q score. But their younger daughter, Freddie, is anxious and constantly struggles to maintain a passing Q score for their elite school. And then one testing day, the results come back and Freddie has bombed the test, dropping her to the lowest tier school. These schools are boarding schools halfway across the country, and their parents are only allowed very limited visits.
Elena will do anything to get Freddie back, including destroying her own life and family…
There are so many twisted and addictive plot points that unfold, where you learn more about the society and Q scores—everything from their origin to how they relate to other aspects of society. The more you learn, the more terrifying it all becomes. Dalcher draws some parallels to other aspects of our actual society and history that when you see them laid out will have your mind spinning! I really can’t say much more because this is truly something you need to read to find out all of the twists for.
Timely, unputdownable social commentary that is a must-read! The ending is sure to have your mind tied up for days thinking about it all!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
I love a good dystopian fiction novel on occasion, but I’m picky about them. If you are the type of reader who tends to find that they aren’t a good fit for you, give Master Class by Christina Dalcher a try because I can almost guarantee it will change your mind! Fascinating, gripping, and an ending that will have your mind reeling!
In the book, the country breaks all people out according to their Q score—an index of their intelligence but also certain factors about their life, such as their parent’s Q scores and jobs. Elena Fairchild is a mother to two daughters—Anne and Freddie.
All kids are assigned to a three-tiered school system depending on their Q score, and Elena’s kids are in the highest tier (a prestigious school where Elena herself teaches). Students are tested monthly, and if their score drops too low, they get dropped a tier (or very rarely two tiers) in their school. While kids can go down a level based on a bad Q score, they aren’t really able to go back up a tier based on a good score.
This premise is interesting, right? Initially on reading it, I thought a lot about the logic of it all. A system that in theory places kids in schools with others of a similar ability level, so that instruction can be most effective doesn’t sound so wild in theory. But these Q scores permeate life. They determine what jobs you can get, whether you get priority checkout at the grocery store, and what opportunities your kids have.
Elena and her husband both have high Q scores, and their elder daughter Anne is a high-performer who consistently maintains a high Q score. But their younger daughter, Freddie, is anxious and constantly struggles to maintain a passing Q score for their elite school. And then one testing day, the results come back and Freddie has bombed the test, dropping her to the lowest tier school. These schools are boarding schools halfway across the country, and their parents are only allowed very limited visits.
Elena will do anything to get Freddie back, including destroying her own life and family…
There are so many twisted and addictive plot points that unfold, where you learn more about the society and Q scores—everything from their origin to how they relate to other aspects of society. The more you learn, the more terrifying it all becomes. Dalcher draws some parallels to other aspects of our actual society and history that when you see them laid out will have your mind spinning! I really can’t say much more because this is truly something you need to read to find out all of the twists for.
Timely, unputdownable social commentary that is a must-read! The ending is sure to have your mind tied up for days thinking about it all!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
motherofladybirds's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the premise. Children being sorted and discarded, sterilizations, all things that have happened and not just in Nazi Germany. A timely reminder with all that is happening in the world right now, not to allow this to happen by default. It was pacy and kept me reading. The ending was the right one I thought.
yram997's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
noemillimetre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
b3ckilou88's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Did not enjoy.
I don't even know what to say. I just wish I hadn't finished it but I hate not reading a book fully.
I don't even know what to say. I just wish I hadn't finished it but I hate not reading a book fully.
jamiesbookclub's review
Didn't seem called to the story. The idea of educational eugenics is a great concept but the beginning was so slow. Also her German family comparing it to n*z* Germany was a little on the nose. Would potentially pick it up again but I'm not sure this book will deliver on its concept.