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allyjshand's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Power was darker and more graphic than I was expecting, although I can’t fault that as that’s more of a personal preference. I loved the premise and found the power subversions seen throughout the book clever although often challenging to read. I also enjoyed the format of the book with the different POVs, the emails, and images as they added something different. Having said that, I felt like the relationships between characters were sometimes weak, perhaps bringing them together sooner would have helped this. I also didn’t enjoy the ending as I didn’t really understand the characters’ motives. Overall a mixed bag and a three star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Gore, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: War, Death of parent, Cursing, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use
mkegley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Gore, War, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Trafficking and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse
jujube2387's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
bestkasescenario's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved it! The ending felt a little rushed and it didn’t feel “complete” but I still loved the book in its entirety. Excellent storytelling & I did find it a little Atwood-esque which made sense at the end to learn that Atwood mentored Alderman. Stoked to watch the show, I hope it lives up to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Slavery, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
garverse's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
book was decent! I was interested throughout, although some of the perspectives/moment felt entirely too cliche it felt like really poor fiction
also the tone felt off a lot, but I liked when it languished in certain descriptions of moments
also the tone felt off a lot, but I liked when it languished in certain descriptions of moments
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
boothdwellerbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
smite2000's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Hate crime, War, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Violence
ambroserr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Whew. Challenging! Major trigger warnings for sexual assault.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the “un-Handmaid’s Tale” premise. It seemed a little too simple, like a thought experiment you’d pose in a high school debate. But the success of this novel is in the execution. The way that premise is fleshed out feels realistic and grounded in historical context, and has a lot to say about the nature of power outside of whoever wields it.
All in all, Alderman seems to argue that a <i>lot</i> of things are arbitrary. Gender norms, certainly, but power and choice as well, to some extent; that there are emergent forces weaving through humanity like fractals, memetic impulses that materialize in our culture. As an individual it can certainly feel like you are subject to culture in some way, that it creates itself around us in ways we can’t predict. Alderman goes as far as to personify this slippery force, which is fascinating.
It borrows some of Margaret Atwood’s best tricks (with her blessing, based on the acknowledgments), and they still work. The framing of the manuscript and Neil and Naomi’s correspondence is very successful, as are the scattered historical objects. It’s a great dramatic irony to be given some alternate figure as a home base, slowly putting together how it came to be.
I often find myself wondering if books like this are ever read by people who need them most. Like, can we clockwork orange this into Trump or Ted Cruz? Would it make them even worse as the voice of power in their own heads makes it into ammunition? Who knows.
All in all, a disturbing, gripping, fascinating experience, and a worthwhile thought experiment after all.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the “un-Handmaid’s Tale” premise. It seemed a little too simple, like a thought experiment you’d pose in a high school debate. But the success of this novel is in the execution. The way that premise is fleshed out feels realistic and grounded in historical context, and has a lot to say about the nature of power outside of whoever wields it.
All in all, Alderman seems to argue that a <i>lot</i> of things are arbitrary. Gender norms, certainly, but power and choice as well, to some extent; that there are emergent forces weaving through humanity like fractals, memetic impulses that materialize in our culture. As an individual it can certainly feel like you are subject to culture in some way, that it creates itself around us in ways we can’t predict. Alderman goes as far as to personify this slippery force, which is fascinating.
It borrows some of Margaret Atwood’s best tricks (with her blessing, based on the acknowledgments), and they still work. The framing of the manuscript and Neil and Naomi’s correspondence is very successful, as are the scattered historical objects. It’s a great dramatic irony to be given some alternate figure as a home base, slowly putting together how it came to be.
I often find myself wondering if books like this are ever read by people who need them most. Like, can we clockwork orange this into Trump or Ted Cruz? Would it make them even worse as the voice of power in their own heads makes it into ammunition? Who knows.
All in all, a disturbing, gripping, fascinating experience, and a worthwhile thought experiment after all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
bookwormcat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Rape, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Physical abuse, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual content