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wlreed312's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Women Could Fly is a novel set in a world that is just a step off from ours, the major difference being that magic is real, but carefully controlled and regulated. It is said that only women are able to access this magic because of their highly emotional nature. Our main character is Jo, who is approaching the age of 28, where she must be registered, and closing in on the age where she must have a man (father, brother, spouse) to be accountable for her actions. Jo is a messy messy character who has a tremendous amount of trauma due to the disappearance of her mother 14 years ago, and her subsequent questioning about witchcraft (torture, not to put too fine a point on it). This is an examination of racism, homophobia, and misogyny, yes. But it's also a story about how bad it screws you up when the adults in your life (especially your parents) don't see everything that you are, and only love an image of you they have in their minds.
This was one of those books that touched me deeply for reasons I can't fully articulate. I love how complicated Jo is, and how she wants to be better for the people she loves. I love that her romantic relationship with a man is complex, because while she does care for him, she resents the fact that she must be in a heteronormative relationship or be monitored in truly invasive ways. There is a power imbalance in every relationship between men and women in this world, and it's explored in interesting ways. My only very minor complaint is that I wish we had a little bit more resolution between Jo and Angie
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Torture and Emotional abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, and Alcohol
ajay913's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Torture, Murder, Blood, and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Racism, and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying
ashlyluvsyellow'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Would recommend those who like thoughtful fiction or fantasy.
It was an alternate reality where witches are real that drew me in, I didn't much like the other elements of the book.
Graphic: Drug use, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Abandonment, Biphobia, and Confinement
minella's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Grief, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
whiteraven191's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, and Torture
mj_86's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, and Abandonment
Moderate: Racism
lpdx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, Torture, Abandonment, Confinement, Drug use, and Transphobia
meecespieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Sexism, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
meganmalonefranklin's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Death of parent, Blood, Misogyny, Torture, Lesbophobia, Gore, and Abandonment
bek_p87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Our heroine, Josephine, is approaching 28 and finally coming to terms with her mother's disappearance half her life ago, when she suddenly gets the chance to feel close to her again as she seeks to honour a strange request in her mother's will. This sets her on a life-altering path.
I quite enjoyed this book, although the prose was a little difficult to engage with at times, and the ending was undefined.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Abandonment