Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Although Red Clocks has been considered as another Handmaid's Tale or Power, I do not see it that way. The book concentrates on the lives of 4 women from the same town. Each of them is unique in some way and their life situations are different. Each of them faces difficulties as being a woman, especially in the slightly dystopian world where women are not allowed to terminate any pregnancies and single women are not allowed to adopt children. In face of these obstacles, the women are trying to navigate their lives as best as they can.
The stories of their lives were interesting however not very exciting. It brings perfectly to light jealousy between women and superstition towards people who are different.
The stories of their lives were interesting however not very exciting. It brings perfectly to light jealousy between women and superstition towards people who are different.
Three audio books later the puzzle is done! Last book was a bit confusing at first with the multiple plot lines, but they came together wonderfully. Faroese explorers mixed with tightening of American abortion laws (the pink wall with Canada)...a great story of what women are, can be and are often relegated to. .
"The sea does not ask permission or wait for instruction. It doesn’t suffer from not knowing what on earth, exactly, it is meant to do."
"The sea does not ask permission or wait for instruction. It doesn’t suffer from not knowing what on earth, exactly, it is meant to do."
An interesting read that offers the perspectives of multiple women living their lives during a time of even stricter abortion and adoption laws. I admire the author for being able to demonstrate the many negative impacts that could come of such laws, in a way that really allows the reader to become emotionally involved in the interconnecting storylines.
Probably actually 3.5 starts; full review to come!
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What it's about: In a near-future America in which abortion has been outlawed, five women's stories slowly intersect.
What I thought: In choosing shelves for this book, I went back and forth about whether it was "adult" or "YA". One of the protagonists is 15; the rest are older, though it's difficult to pin some of them down.
This is a story about being female, and the many things that can mean. It is about how being a woman can often be misunderstood not only by men, but by women themselves. It looks at a bleak future and wonders how it might affect women.
It also seems to be a bit of a meditation on race and privilege. One younger non-white character very specifically calls out the naivete of her white friend several times. And another character considers how she basically couldn't be bothered to add her voice to protests, but then had to live with the results when those protests failed - results she hadn't realize would become so personal to her. And, of course, this is a book about women as vessels for children - what that means when it happens, when it doesn't happen, when they don't want it to happen.
At its heart, this is a book about choices: The ones made, the ones that don't feel like choices, the ones that are taken away.
Having read this directly after reading Vox by Christina Dalcher, I was struck by several things: First, that they both seem to have written these during the Trump candidacy for President, and what that says about that campaign. Secondly, how differently they both approached a similar idea - how women might lose their rights if conservative politicians are given enough sway.
I also read both of these books at a moment when Georgia passed an anti-abortion bill, and when Alabama Republicans (all white males) are ramming through a similar law. I thought the legal penalties described in Red Clocks for those who sought an abortion were the work of fiction, but they seem to have been lifted straight from ideas that have been implemented. This is scary in multiple senses. I would never have thought such things were possible in real life; and it makes me wonder whether Vox's dystopia could also move from the page to the world.
Why I rated it like I did: This story is lovely. The writing is smooth and engaging, while having lots of interesting quirks; and the characters are well-realized. Although I enjoyed it, I found it easy to put down; it is more like a powerful but gentle wave than a rushing avalanche. It left a question or two unanswered, but it was on the whole extremely enjoyable and thought-provoking.
What I thought: In choosing shelves for this book, I went back and forth about whether it was "adult" or "YA". One of the protagonists is 15; the rest are older, though it's difficult to pin some of them down.
This is a story about being female, and the many things that can mean. It is about how being a woman can often be misunderstood not only by men, but by women themselves. It looks at a bleak future and wonders how it might affect women.
It also seems to be a bit of a meditation on race and privilege. One younger non-white character very specifically calls out the naivete of her white friend several times. And another character considers how she basically couldn't be bothered to add her voice to protests, but then had to live with the results when those protests failed - results she hadn't realize would become so personal to her. And, of course, this is a book about women as vessels for children - what that means when it happens, when it doesn't happen, when they don't want it to happen.
At its heart, this is a book about choices: The ones made, the ones that don't feel like choices, the ones that are taken away.
Having read this directly after reading Vox by Christina Dalcher, I was struck by several things: First, that they both seem to have written these during the Trump candidacy for President, and what that says about that campaign. Secondly, how differently they both approached a similar idea - how women might lose their rights if conservative politicians are given enough sway.
I also read both of these books at a moment when Georgia passed an anti-abortion bill, and when Alabama Republicans (all white males) are ramming through a similar law. I thought the legal penalties described in Red Clocks for those who sought an abortion were the work of fiction, but they seem to have been lifted straight from ideas that have been implemented. This is scary in multiple senses. I would never have thought such things were possible in real life; and it makes me wonder whether Vox's dystopia could also move from the page to the world.
Why I rated it like I did: This story is lovely. The writing is smooth and engaging, while having lots of interesting quirks; and the characters are well-realized. Although I enjoyed it, I found it easy to put down; it is more like a powerful but gentle wave than a rushing avalanche. It left a question or two unanswered, but it was on the whole extremely enjoyable and thought-provoking.
mediocre. slow in the beginning and the characters seemed very detached.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't love the writing style of this, but even so, I understand why it was used and do think it was generally pretty effective. The narration shifts were pretty drastic- you could relate to the woman who's chapter it was and then in the next chapter absolutely hate her, or vice versa. None of these women were wholly likable- the only thing we can all agree on is that all the men in this book are Terrible. (except for you, Cotter) I'm really glad the biographer and the daughter storyline ended the way it did- I was worried for a bit in the middle that the book would accidentally make a point it wasn't trying to make.
I don't think I'd even consider this as dystopian or comparative to The Handmaid's Tale. All of the legislation that occurred in this book could easily get passed in today's political climate- which may be part of the reason the book is so off-putting. It's like: well done, thanks, but I hate it.
I don't think I'd even consider this as dystopian or comparative to The Handmaid's Tale. All of the legislation that occurred in this book could easily get passed in today's political climate- which may be part of the reason the book is so off-putting. It's like: well done, thanks, but I hate it.
A dystopian novel set in a not-too-distant future in which abortion has been made illegal in America. Told from the point of view of five main characters, we see how the ramifications this new law play out. Although not a light hearted read, I enjoyed the lyrical and creative storytelling. A must-read for fans of The Power or The Handmaids Tale.