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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
This story is a heartbreaking account of what happens when a femme fatale makes a hurricane of your life. The women in this story are troubled, steady, unique, and really have only one thing in common: they've been screwed by a she-devil.
Even though love and emotions can be torn apart, you can stay strong. These friends are strongest together and friendship is what raises them above the one who's ruined their lives.
This book is for people who want to see how your past doesn't have to rule your present, and who like women who can be strong yet still vulnerably human.
Even though love and emotions can be torn apart, you can stay strong. These friends are strongest together and friendship is what raises them above the one who's ruined their lives.
This book is for people who want to see how your past doesn't have to rule your present, and who like women who can be strong yet still vulnerably human.
I am constantly amazed by margaret Atwood's range--across time periods, geographic periods, and places outside of both. I began reading when The Handmaid's Tale came out, but I have to say that "Robber Bride" is like her ultimate feel-good novel, a period piece richly layered with interludes of fantasy.
Contemporary recommends weren't doing it for me, so I went digging through the Atwood archives. (I am a superfan). Atwood's not-best book still runs circles around most. The writing and structure of The Robber Bride has the same mastery—but—I couldn't latch on to the characters.
Then I remembered I'd tried reading this book before and found myself drifting off.
For moments, I'd find a scene or moment that captured me, but overall, the extensive backstories didn't pay off enough in the present timeline. The men were dispensable skin tags and I couldn't respect the women for wanting to keep them. At 20, okay. But by middle age, the women could have realized Zenia did them all a favor. To give Atwood credit, this sort of complex female character (evil but the most interesting person in the story) was an innovation in 1991.
Atwood does a better job with this archetype in Cat's Eye with Cordelia (one of my fave novels ever), so if you're shopping for an Atwood, look there first.
Then I remembered I'd tried reading this book before and found myself drifting off.
For moments, I'd find a scene or moment that captured me, but overall, the extensive backstories didn't pay off enough in the present timeline. The men were dispensable skin tags and I couldn't respect the women for wanting to keep them. At 20, okay. But by middle age, the women could have realized Zenia did them all a favor. To give Atwood credit, this sort of complex female character (evil but the most interesting person in the story) was an innovation in 1991.
Atwood does a better job with this archetype in Cat's Eye with Cordelia (one of my fave novels ever), so if you're shopping for an Atwood, look there first.
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I put off finishing this book for so long because I knew it would rip my heart out…
***Spoilers ahead -
Page 428. Omg. Roz’s betrayal of Tony and Charis cannot possibly transcend the solidarity they feel with her, because they’ve all been slighted in the same way. It’s another woman who has slighted them, or more accurately really, it’s their own internalized misogyny. It’s messy and it’s complicated and none of the rights are entirely right and none of the wrongs are entirely wrong, but they stand by each other even though they have hurt each other, because, really, don’t we all hurt each other when we let our internalized misogyny drive us? And don’t we all understand that? And who would we be if we faulted another woman for exhibiting the same sin we ourselves exhibit. Hypocritical. And they aren’t. They’re there, unflinchingly, even though they’re different, because they know what it is like.
I could say so much more. Oh my god. Just read this book.
***Spoilers ahead -
Page 428. Omg. Roz’s betrayal of Tony and Charis cannot possibly transcend the solidarity they feel with her, because they’ve all been slighted in the same way. It’s another woman who has slighted them, or more accurately really, it’s their own internalized misogyny. It’s messy and it’s complicated and none of the rights are entirely right and none of the wrongs are entirely wrong, but they stand by each other even though they have hurt each other, because, really, don’t we all hurt each other when we let our internalized misogyny drive us? And don’t we all understand that? And who would we be if we faulted another woman for exhibiting the same sin we ourselves exhibit. Hypocritical. And they aren’t. They’re there, unflinchingly, even though they’re different, because they know what it is like.
I could say so much more. Oh my god. Just read this book.
I thought this book was set up very well and the narrative structure flowed really well. I had issue with the representations of the men (they were all abusers or either really stupid, with the exception of Boyce and Larry). Otherwise it was a quite good rumination of female friendships and a nifty retelling of the Bluebeard story.
I am relieved that there are many different stars to widen and represent the positive range of experience. The book was interesting and constructed in an attention focusing manner. I think, though, that the original trope is dated and worn out. Feels more like an elaborate thought experiment that has been hashed out again and again discovering its weaknesses and fallacies. The males are almost like inert material wafting in the waves and ripples of the women's dynamics. The supernatural qualities of the archantagonist smells of a Steven King style machination.
The the triumvirate of women survivors united through their pain, were and interesting if limited cross-section of white women tropes. Ancillary female characters were more diverse and intriguing to me; a spin off narrative of the shop keeper's life would be an interesting extension of this book, and address what has more openly come to light about the weight of intersectionality in the female reality in an androcratic socialisation.
Would I recommend the book? I have yet to imagine why and to whom I would.
p.s. [That said, do not let this review stop you, this is about MY experience reading this book, and reading includes my experience of life and work which will be different from yours.]
The the triumvirate of women survivors united through their pain, were and interesting if limited cross-section of white women tropes. Ancillary female characters were more diverse and intriguing to me; a spin off narrative of the shop keeper's life would be an interesting extension of this book, and address what has more openly come to light about the weight of intersectionality in the female reality in an androcratic socialisation.
Would I recommend the book? I have yet to imagine why and to whom I would.
p.s. [That said, do not let this review stop you, this is about MY experience reading this book, and reading includes my experience of life and work which will be different from yours.]
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finished The Robber Bride fairly quickly for its size. It is a well-written book that really explores the nature of women's power and their relationship to men. I have to say that normally I dislike books where there is an evil conniving character that ruins everybody's life. Simply put, most of the time, I think the characters are naive and they deserve it. "They are obviously fooling you! Can't you see past it! COME ON SIMBA! Scar is BAD!" (No, not The Lion King. I love The Lion King. My fervor for "Be Prepared" knows no bounds. However, you get the point.) However, this book didn't raise my ire. Atwood is a fantastic writer, and she portrays these women honestly. The fourth woman, the "robber bride" is Zenia. What a perfect name for a devilish woman, I have to say. Zenia is crafty and she preys on each women differently. You can see why they fall for her lines. For each one, she crafts a different back-story, a different problem, that they will find uniquely interesting to them. "Oh. She only trusts me! Her story fits with mine!" They fall because of their own arrogance, and also lack of self-assurance.
Its a beautifully told story. Atwood starts in the present, and then pedals backwards and forwards in ways that work with the narrative. I never felt jerked around or lost. She controlled her narrative, and she also managed to layer it in such a way that really got across the importance of some events. The splashes of feminism and war in the book really bring different shades to the story. One of my favorite parts is that she tells some encounters from each of the main character's perspectives (Charis, Tony, and Roz). She fits it uniquely within their perspective, and you gain knowledge of the other two. You also see what details everyone views differently, and that shows you more about the character. That is perhaps one of my favorite parts of this book. Atwood doesn't feel the need to tell. She shows and shades her characters well without having to list their personality quirks for you.
As a story about a conniving witch of a woman who tries to destroy three other women's lives, its quite a good one. I would definitely recommend it. Also, if you liked this, go read The Handmaid's Tale. They are both worth your time, and they are really engrossing. Well-written, well-characterized work is always appreciated. I'm glad there is another book by here on my shelf.
Its a beautifully told story. Atwood starts in the present, and then pedals backwards and forwards in ways that work with the narrative. I never felt jerked around or lost. She controlled her narrative, and she also managed to layer it in such a way that really got across the importance of some events. The splashes of feminism and war in the book really bring different shades to the story. One of my favorite parts is that she tells some encounters from each of the main character's perspectives (Charis, Tony, and Roz). She fits it uniquely within their perspective, and you gain knowledge of the other two. You also see what details everyone views differently, and that shows you more about the character. That is perhaps one of my favorite parts of this book. Atwood doesn't feel the need to tell. She shows and shades her characters well without having to list their personality quirks for you.
As a story about a conniving witch of a woman who tries to destroy three other women's lives, its quite a good one. I would definitely recommend it. Also, if you liked this, go read The Handmaid's Tale. They are both worth your time, and they are really engrossing. Well-written, well-characterized work is always appreciated. I'm glad there is another book by here on my shelf.
This the first Margaret Atwood book I have read. Some may find her excruciatingly detailed character descriptions a bit much, but I thought it really gave the reader an insight into the characters.
I liked it!
I liked it!