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crystalsparkles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I didn’t like this story. It definitely felt like it was two separate books, I could have enjoyed the story if Atwood had chosen to focus maybe on just the political aspect (along with the danger aspect). But it felt disjointed to me focusing so much on (protagonist) Rennie’s health issues, especially when they didn’t have much bearing on the latter parts of the book. I also found Rennie to be so annoying and cowardly. I’d say the last 20% of the book made it worth it to finish, but won’t be a recommendation from me.
Graphic: Cancer, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Excrement, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, and Stalking
rzh'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? Yes
4.0
Quite a few of the reviews I have read for this book mention frustration with the protagonist, Rennie, and her lack of agency. She never instigates, never does anything: only has things done to her. As much as I see this in the novel, I think that it is representative of Atwood's wider thematic concerns: of women being objects, pawns for men to play about with. This is highlighted by the sexual abuse and voyeurism suffered by the women throughout the text, as well Rennie's sense of alienation from her own body due to her cancer and highlighted by the John Berger epigraph at the beginning. THe ending was fantastic:
Though i felt it lacked direction at times, I think that is part and parcel of the objective. For the most part, it is a deeply intriguing and evocative investigation into the male gaze; modern sense of disconnect from violence and, well, bodily harm; and how these issues affect women as the objects of desire.
Graphic: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Drug use and Excrement
savannahjane328'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
3.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
libt11'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
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, and Medical trauma