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jts618's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marieaa_llard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
heyjulianahey's review against another edition
On the surface, this is a dystopian novel about an unnamed protagonist who finds herself completely isolated from the world by a mysterious wall, and the introspection that comes with solitude.
But beneath this premise, the novel is an exploration of female agency and autonomy and an examination of the constraints imposed on women by society and capitalism, informed by the author’s own experiences as a mid-20th century housewife in provincial Austria.
Through introspection, the protagonist finds freedom from societal pressures and expectations, allowing her to confront the emptiness of her previous roles as a wife and mother – roles that are presumed to give a woman’s life meaning and fulfillment – and reevaluate her identity and purpose, offering a powerful critique of the roles traditionally assigned to women.
But beneath this premise, the novel is an exploration of female agency and autonomy and an examination of the constraints imposed on women by society and capitalism, informed by the author’s own experiences as a mid-20th century housewife in provincial Austria.
Through introspection, the protagonist finds freedom from societal pressures and expectations, allowing her to confront the emptiness of her previous roles as a wife and mother – roles that are presumed to give a woman’s life meaning and fulfillment – and reevaluate her identity and purpose, offering a powerful critique of the roles traditionally assigned to women.
carodavis's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jennaw's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
miehtu's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
goodasparagus's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
Beautiful, heartbreaking book. Violence hangs over almost every page of it. It’s very slow and a bit monotonous but quite profound.
ctomps's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
marieketron's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
goodyeargoodbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Flipped so much between 2 and 3 stars. Nicely written but fundamentally so dull and repetitive (which yes, is part of the point but is tedious to listen to!)