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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an...interesting book.
What I did like:
-The alternating perspectives and interwoven narratives.
-The feeling that I was actually in the pacific northwest while reading the book. Lots of fog and rain and gloom in the writing.
-The contrast of the daughter and the biographer in regards to pregnancy (someone who wants it ripped from her body versus someone who wants to experience it more than anything)
What I didn't like:
-The polar explorer- what was her purpose?? I feel like I could have gotten more from the other four women had this story been omitted.
-The summary emphasizes the political climate of the United States during this time, but there's not much detail given in the book, other than brief references. I was hoping for more, as someone who enjoys political/dystopian novels.
-The entire thing seemed written in metaphors and euphemisms, and I missed out on the meanings.
I'm glad I borrowed this from the library rather than bought it. There was a lot of hype (it was a January 2018 Book of the Month) and I can't get on board.
What I did like:
-The alternating perspectives and interwoven narratives.
-The feeling that I was actually in the pacific northwest while reading the book. Lots of fog and rain and gloom in the writing.
-The contrast of the daughter and the biographer in regards to pregnancy (someone who wants it ripped from her body versus someone who wants to experience it more than anything)
What I didn't like:
-The polar explorer- what was her purpose?? I feel like I could have gotten more from the other four women had this story been omitted.
-The summary emphasizes the political climate of the United States during this time, but there's not much detail given in the book, other than brief references. I was hoping for more, as someone who enjoys political/dystopian novels.
-The entire thing seemed written in metaphors and euphemisms, and I missed out on the meanings.
I'm glad I borrowed this from the library rather than bought it. There was a lot of hype (it was a January 2018 Book of the Month) and I can't get on board.
I wanted to read this book but was hesitant because of being a woman and the current political climate. Don’t let that stop you. The narration is removed enough that the story is affecting but not debilitating or stress inducing (looking at you Handmaid’s Tale). It took some time to get into and I originally let the audiobook borrow period lapse but found I missed it when I was gone.
Highly fascinating concept. The writing style is a bit unusual, but it became enchanting as the book went on. Each woman brings a new perspective on the pervading challenge of simply being a woman in this “dystopian” society. The ending feels almost too soft.
In hindsight, I think this would have been better in book format than audio. Probably not my favorite, but glad I got to it (eventually!) after having read so many reviews.
Oh, I loved this. It's drawing the inevitable comparisons to the Handmaid's Tale that any "feminist dystopian" novel will face. That said, this isn't necessarily dystopian in that it's a couple of Mike Pence bills away from non-fiction, and I suppose any novel that primarily features and discusses women's reproductive rights is strictly feminist. It's maddening & heartbreaking & occasionally laugh out loud funny. You're sympathetic to & infuriated by the characters choices ... you know, just like real live women! :) My favourite book I've read so far this year.
I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. There were times I really liked it, but there were also times where I really hated it. I couldn't really decide if I liked her writing style or not; once again, there were times where it was great and times where it wasn't. And I ended the novel not really feeling anything. I honestly don't think I've ever read a book that I've felt this ambivalent about.
Leni Zumas’ debut novel, The Listeners was an excellent exploration of depression, albeit executed in a post modern way: a non chronological history of the main protagonists depression symbolised by a toy octopus. It seems bizarre on screen but in reality the reader got a touching story on how depression can overtake a version and Zumas’ quirky dressing made the story more heartfelt.
For her second novel, Red Clocks Zumas visits the same territory, however only style-wise. Zumas still uses the post modern techniques that were present in The Listeners, however Red Clocks is more ambitious, more experimental and cleverer.
The book takes place in near future America where abortion is illegal. Not only that but in order to adopt a person has to be married. The plot itself focuses on five women and their experiences with these laws.
The first Ro wants a baby but has problems and has been rejected for adopting a child, the second Susan, wants to split up from her husband, Mattie,a high school student, is pregnant, Gin links all the women together as she gives medicines to women in trouble and all the the characters visit her. The fifth woman is the subject of a biography Ro is writing. Throughout the book these five characters destines criss-cross each other. Until something happens to Gin and unites everyone.
Red Clocks, is ultimately a novel about breaking free from the constraints of male oppression. Each of these characters have problems and need to solve them in order to become independent sometimes it happens and sometimes it leads to other things. A stated above all events are not in order so you need to read a few chapters in order to get a clear picture but when it happens the novel becomes rewarding, especially in the last hundred or so pages.
Controversial and eye opening, Red Clocks definitely forms a part of the canon that includes Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things.
For her second novel, Red Clocks Zumas visits the same territory, however only style-wise. Zumas still uses the post modern techniques that were present in The Listeners, however Red Clocks is more ambitious, more experimental and cleverer.
The book takes place in near future America where abortion is illegal. Not only that but in order to adopt a person has to be married. The plot itself focuses on five women and their experiences with these laws.
The first Ro wants a baby but has problems and has been rejected for adopting a child, the second Susan, wants to split up from her husband, Mattie,a high school student, is pregnant, Gin links all the women together as she gives medicines to women in trouble and all the the characters visit her. The fifth woman is the subject of a biography Ro is writing. Throughout the book these five characters destines criss-cross each other. Until something happens to Gin and unites everyone.
Red Clocks, is ultimately a novel about breaking free from the constraints of male oppression. Each of these characters have problems and need to solve them in order to become independent sometimes it happens and sometimes it leads to other things. A stated above all events are not in order so you need to read a few chapters in order to get a clear picture but when it happens the novel becomes rewarding, especially in the last hundred or so pages.
Controversial and eye opening, Red Clocks definitely forms a part of the canon that includes Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things.
dark
reflective
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes