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mantarays's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
3.25
i really enjoyed the message behind this book and the general world building around modern day witch trials and the commentary on marginalized groups’ lack of legal autonomy. i do think that the story had a lot of plot holes and lack of proper development in certain areas, though. i liked the complicated relationship between Jo and her parents and her difficulty with understanding romantic love due to her sexuality and societal expectations, as well as her relationships with Angie and Preston. however i found the writing to get a little too essay-esque at some points and i think the pacing was verrrrry inconsistent and we jumped back and forth from the past and present too much and it got confusing at times. overall a decent read.
thewrittenadventure's review against another edition
3.0
Megan Giddings tackles large issues with this book - namely being a Black queer woman in America. In an alternate dystopian version of this world, where magic is real and women can be accused of witchcraft, Jo is searching for her mom who has been missing for years. When she receives instructions from her will, which states she has to go to an island and take a doll with her, she does, hoping that it will bring her some final closure.
Jo is also reaching the point in life where she needs to either settle down with a husband or register as a single woman - where the government will ask for yearly checks to make sure that you're not "in league with the devil" or practicing magic. That is to say, women have no autonomy if they're not married to a man. This makes it especially difficult for queer women to be open about their sexuality.
This book is very upmarket and literary, which I wasn't entirely expecting. I enjoyed her voice and the set up of the world, but did feel as though Giddings meandered a bit from the main crux of the story, which made it drag on a bit. I really appreciate Giddings social commentary on the way that queer and Black people are treated to this day, but I didn't feel as though I had much closure at the end.
Jo is also reaching the point in life where she needs to either settle down with a husband or register as a single woman - where the government will ask for yearly checks to make sure that you're not "in league with the devil" or practicing magic. That is to say, women have no autonomy if they're not married to a man. This makes it especially difficult for queer women to be open about their sexuality.
This book is very upmarket and literary, which I wasn't entirely expecting. I enjoyed her voice and the set up of the world, but did feel as though Giddings meandered a bit from the main crux of the story, which made it drag on a bit. I really appreciate Giddings social commentary on the way that queer and Black people are treated to this day, but I didn't feel as though I had much closure at the end.
zellreads's review against another edition
3.0
Intriguing premise but the world felt full of plot holes and didn't feel consistent. I didn't like Jo much, and none of the characters felt particularly realistic.
samhoward's review against another edition
5.0
I can't remember the last time I finished a book and said "holy shit" out loud.
I will read everything Megan Giddings publishes. The Women Could Fly was even more powerful and gut-wrenching than Lakewood which is really saying something. No clever or thoughtful review, just awe and appreciation. Some of the scenes in this book will live in my head for years to come. An exacting, devastating, and cleareyed look at being an other in our "modern" age.
I will read everything Megan Giddings publishes. The Women Could Fly was even more powerful and gut-wrenching than Lakewood which is really saying something. No clever or thoughtful review, just awe and appreciation. Some of the scenes in this book will live in my head for years to come. An exacting, devastating, and cleareyed look at being an other in our "modern" age.
meeranair_54's review against another edition
4.0
Josephine Thomas’ mother disappeared years ago. In a world where women and witches are both at the mercy of the State, her mother going missing drew a great deal of scrutiny from others.
So when she receives her mother’s will, asking her to head to an island and fulfil her wish, Jo hesitatingly embarks on a dangerous journey.
A dystopian fantasy, The Women Could Fly is an intimate look at what it means to be a bisexual woman of colour in a highly prejudiced society.
It perfectly creates a parallel between the gender inequalities that are true to our society and the persecution of witches in human history that we’ve heard of.
Giddings’ writing style is at once straightforward, bold, and imaginative. She brings out her protagonist’s inner thoughts well through the narrative such that you get a better understanding of Jo and all that she’s gone through.
The story is set in a world where women are forced to get married by the age of 30 or relinquish all rights to their life.
With themes like mass surveillance, absentee parents, and societal pressure, you’d think that the book would only have a dreary tone to it. But surprisingly... Read the rest of the review on my blog.
So when she receives her mother’s will, asking her to head to an island and fulfil her wish, Jo hesitatingly embarks on a dangerous journey.
A dystopian fantasy, The Women Could Fly is an intimate look at what it means to be a bisexual woman of colour in a highly prejudiced society.
It perfectly creates a parallel between the gender inequalities that are true to our society and the persecution of witches in human history that we’ve heard of.
Giddings’ writing style is at once straightforward, bold, and imaginative. She brings out her protagonist’s inner thoughts well through the narrative such that you get a better understanding of Jo and all that she’s gone through.
The story is set in a world where women are forced to get married by the age of 30 or relinquish all rights to their life.
With themes like mass surveillance, absentee parents, and societal pressure, you’d think that the book would only have a dreary tone to it. But surprisingly... Read the rest of the review on my blog.
pyrona's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Enjoyed in spite of some uneven:bumpy characterizations. Reminded me of When Women were Dragons.
nynaeve2k's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
alannafowler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
suspencebooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
I enjoyed this, it was very reminiscent of Octavia Butler and the social commentary was both strong and eerie. The only reason I gave a 3.5 is because sort of towards the last third of the books, things became very rushed. The ending was very strong and Id love to read from the author again, definitely recommend.
I enjoyed this, it was very reminiscent of Octavia Butler and the social commentary was both strong and eerie. The only reason I gave a 3.5 is because sort of towards the last third of the books, things became very rushed. The ending was very strong and Id love to read from the author again, definitely recommend.