Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

The Women Could Fly: A Novel by Megan Giddings

18 reviews

dahud's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.0

The premise is interesting and had some great potential, especially the theme of relinquishing expectations how others will as we would wish. Not to mention the witchcraft trope, which should speak to my heart. Sadly the book is racist. Yes, racist - just read the scene where Jo and her best friend are making fun of white/midwestern girls. Racism is not always toward the darker skin colours. The book is also misandristic. The main character makes a list how all men (yes, she says all, even strangers, passers-by etc.) hurt her this or that way. There is just one decent male character in the whole book. And lastly, with the mention of trans community just thrown in there with no follow through and using „cis women” and „cis men”, I was wondering whether the author really was so concerned about certain issues or just trying to capitalise on the current social trends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Torture

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Blood and Body shaming

dreamweaver's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Biphobia and Religious bigotry

blueyogi's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Confinement, Abandonment, Sexism, Misogyny, and Death of parent

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Alcohol, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content

stellahadz's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I liked the premise of the story and the author's writing style, but some of the worldbuilding felt a bit clumsy and left me with a lot of questions. There was also a shift in the book's tone partway through, and everything from there on out felt a bit rushed. The Women Could Fly has a lot of potential, but a lot of it fell somewhat flat for me. I can see why people enjoyed it, I think certain aspects just weren't for me. I've heard good things about the author's other book, so I do want to read that one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Torture

Moderate: Abandonment and Religious bigotry

haileyhardcover's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-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? It's complicated

2.0

Modern-day witch trials, a search for a missing mother, an island of witches… and an author I just gave a very enthusiastic five stars to! By all accounts, this should have been another easy five stars, but no. I can’t remember the last time I was so disappointed by a book. This is 277 pages of going nowhere SLOW. Every time I thought the story was about to ramp up and get good, I was let down. Like, he most interesting part is when the MC is aggressively investigated for witchcraft, and even that managed to be dull somehow. 

I can see what Giddings was trying to do with this book. The themes of sexism and racism are loud and undoubtedly important, but damn I wish they were presented with a better written story. I’m really sad to be rating this one so low. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Animal death, Gore, Blood, and Torture

Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Death

faliiza's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

Unbelievably brutal yet beautiful story. Such a dark and unforgiving world. Mesmerising prose. Main character who contains multitudes. A wholly unique and dark twist on a modern world with witches. 

This book had the feminist in me raging. I was shaking in anger at points, so close to throwing the book. But it was not only the women who are wronged in this world, white supremacy is wild at large and black people are paying the price. And add to that poor parenting and generally sucky people. There are so many things wrong here, a real dystopian cornucopia of awfulness. 

But. There’s also light. Beaty and wonder. MAGIC. Love. Friendship. True reflection and revelation of oneself. Power and imagination.

I truly love this book. It seeped into my soul. 

Here’s a bunch of quotes from the book. Most of them made me angry, some sad. All stuck with me.

”In the class textbook was a chapter titled "The Protectors." It was all about how women needed men to guide them and help them stay on the path of light. Marriage is, yes, for love, but also a way to keep us all safe.”

"The only safe place for a woman is 100 percent alone."

"When the great creator made women, he made the glue that holds this world together. Women give birth, they care for their children, their husbands, their parents when they age. They create beautiful homes, beautiful meals, and see the world with gentleness and care. 

"Women were made smaller and gentler and kinder and obedient because without those qualities the whole world would crumble. Isn't it miraculous? To be made something so wonderful, to always know your path and to never be lost."

“In every room of that house, I told myself, If you keep acting normal, you can have a life.”

“In every room I told myself I had so many things other people were desperate for, so shut up and lean in to being happy.”

“How long has it been since someone spoke your name with tenderness and not irritation or boredom or anger or threats?”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

minella's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Grief, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment

rcsreads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Homophobia, Drug use, Grief, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Violence, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Torture

superiour_medium's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

An incredible bite size book in the style of Atwood but far surpassing  her works. Giddings’ has demonstrated ability to put her in the ranks of N.K. Jemison & her contemporaries in the realms of urban fantasy/magical realism

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Torture, Misogyny, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Colonisation, and Blood

Minor: Body horror

jenmcreads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Grief