Reviews

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

corinneeeeee's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

elysehdez19's review against another edition

4.0

La historia está basada en un hecho real ocurrido en una comunidad menonita en Bolivia: un grupo numeroso de mujeres y niñas fueron drogadas y violadas por varias noches; en un inicio les dijeron seguramente era su imaginación o un castigo del demonio por sus pecados. No pasará mucho tiempo para que se den cuenta que en realidad son los mismos hombres de la comunidad quienes han abusado sexualmente de ellas, sin embargo, a pesar de saber que son culpables, los miembros del lugar piden que se les perdone ya que pronto volverán, luego de haber pagado una fianza.

La novela de Toews versa en dos asambleas ficticias sobre los acuerdos a los que las mujeres afectadas querían llegar. Algunas creen que lo mejor es olvidar, otras quieren venganza, y otras más piensan dejar la comunidad menonita, no sin antes replantearse cómo sería la vida en un lugar al que ellas no pertenecen.

Las intervenciones, dudas y diálogos se sienten muy reales, la autora sin duda logra meternos de lleno en lo que expone, pero además abre una puerta a la reflexión acerca de todo un sistema de oprime e invisibiliza a las mujeres. Sea en el contexto que sea.

singular_coyote's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.75

esthertainment's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

nattie19's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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? No

4.5

frittata's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

kwoolfre's review against another edition

4.5

We want the world. Do we want the world? If I'm outside it my life outside it, outside of my life, if my life isn't in the world, then what good is it? To teach? To teach what, if not the world?

hcrowley99's review against another edition

3.0

Definitely helped to see the movie first, I was getting lost in the dialogue and getting characters mixed up.

Not a book I would pick for myself, but it was alright.

leanne_who_reads's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

elenareadz's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A group of women, with limited knowledge of the world outside, with limited education, in two days trying to break down and understand the patriarchal society that has been created around them. These women for maybe the first time can plainly speak to what they have endured, on the backdrop of their religion and desire for pacifism. 

An overrall amazing book, but at times it felt hard to follow and was disjointed based on the large group of characters and how the format of the book is written. 

Highly recommend for everyone to read, but heed the content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Gun violence