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katiescho741's review against another edition
2.0
I found Red Clocks a bit tricky to rate. On the one hand, I am very strongly pro-choice so this demonstration of a (not 100% fictitious) USA where women's options are so limited is powerful and shocking. On the other hand, I don't think you can read the book without getting involved with the politics of the subject, and sometimes I felt it came off heavy-handed with the subject matter.
I think the best way to express my feelings towards this book is to say that I felt the book was written around the issues, instead of a book being written that involves the issues. The stories almost seemed forced around the abortion debate, rather than having a story that involves the debate.
Don't get me wrong, these issues about women's rights to their bodies are very important, but I felt like this book beat you over the head with the issues, rather than weaving them into an interesting plot.
I thought the complexity of the law was interesting...that not only is abortion completely illegal, but so is IVF, and so is adoption for single parents. So the book covers quite a few issues.
The relationships between the women in the book were the most compelling aspect of the story - how a mother feels about her children, how a single and childless woman feels about her friend with children, how a teenager feels about her unborn baby.
I found The Mender's chapters to be the least interesting, and I found her the least compelling character.
I think the best way to express my feelings towards this book is to say that I felt the book was written around the issues, instead of a book being written that involves the issues. The stories almost seemed forced around the abortion debate, rather than having a story that involves the debate.
Don't get me wrong, these issues about women's rights to their bodies are very important, but I felt like this book beat you over the head with the issues, rather than weaving them into an interesting plot.
I thought the complexity of the law was interesting...that not only is abortion completely illegal, but so is IVF, and so is adoption for single parents. So the book covers quite a few issues.
The relationships between the women in the book were the most compelling aspect of the story - how a mother feels about her children, how a single and childless woman feels about her friend with children, how a teenager feels about her unborn baby.
I found The Mender's chapters to be the least interesting, and I found her the least compelling character.
larissamiller's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-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? No
3.5
horsley123's review against another edition
3.0
I have a bit of a love and 'meh' feeling about this book. I loved the setting, as the days go by and Trump's presidency continues, it seems believable that abortion could be banned and fetuses given rights that prevent IVF.
The characters , on the whole, were sympathetic. The teacher who is single and childless, is desperate for a child. The new laws already prevent her from having an IVF child, and up coming laws will ban her from adopting a child. In contrast, her pupil, is pregnant, and is banned from having an abortion.
The witch-like lady who lives in the woods and knows everyone's secrets was a watching presence throughout the tale. I did not have much time for the mother, she is unhappy with her life but her answer of having an affair seemed to be an odd decision. Surely there were other options available?
I was not quite sure what the explorer character added to the party. Granted she had had to struggle against society because she was female, but whereas the other four characters were linked and interacted, the explorer was off on her ice cap in a separate time frame. In my humble opinion I think the story would flow a lot better without her.
The characters , on the whole, were sympathetic. The teacher who is single and childless, is desperate for a child. The new laws already prevent her from having an IVF child, and up coming laws will ban her from adopting a child. In contrast, her pupil, is pregnant, and is banned from having an abortion.
The witch-like lady who lives in the woods and knows everyone's secrets was a watching presence throughout the tale. I did not have much time for the mother, she is unhappy with her life but her answer of having an affair seemed to be an odd decision. Surely there were other options available?
I was not quite sure what the explorer character added to the party. Granted she had had to struggle against society because she was female, but whereas the other four characters were linked and interacted, the explorer was off on her ice cap in a separate time frame. In my humble opinion I think the story would flow a lot better without her.
yeehaw_agenda's review against another edition
3.0
An engaging story, but often repetitive and predictable. It had a lot of potential, but did not explore the political or intersectional implications of its world enough, in my opinion.
jaynephoenix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mariahhanley's review against another edition
2.0
I felt like this book is trying too hard to be something it isn’t- and shouldn’t be. It’s trying to be literary, and I felt like that took away from the storyline(s).
abby_a_25's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
simplysavy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0