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blueyogi'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Confinement, Abandonment, Sexism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Alcohol, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Animal death, Gore, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Death
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
faliiza'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
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?”
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
rcsreads'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
5.0
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
noveltay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Grief, Abortion, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
antimony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
i did a horrible job describing this book im so sorry. i really liked the beginning and i really liked the end. the world was cool as well. but the middle dragged SOOO much. maybe it’s just because i read this as an ebook and maybe i feel negatively towards it because it took me a while to read. if i’d read it faster, in a physical copy, it probably would be 4 stars. c’est la vie. i do think it has good things to say but the middle part dragged so much and i didn’t care at all for that middle 50%. sad!
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, Misogyny, Death of parent, Racism, Violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Police brutality and Homophobia
editoryalizing's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Death of parent, Biphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Transphobia and Xenophobia
ekern1991'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
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Death of parent