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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
Hm no this wasn't for me. Didn't see the point in this book or enjoyed it
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of Atwood's earlier books, and I can definitely see some differences in her writing.
I think what I love about Margaret Atwood is that she is able to write about complex feelings and emotions, but in a round-about way that does not make it obvious that she is doing it.
This was the story of Rennie, a woman recently recovering from breast cancer (and feeling that her life is over). She basically stops living until she decides to go on a trip to a middle of nowhere island to get away from her life for a bit. And that's what happens...in a way. She gets a little caught up in a little revolution...
In typical Atwood fashion, the ending leaves the reader wondering...
Oh Atwood! I heart you!
I think what I love about Margaret Atwood is that she is able to write about complex feelings and emotions, but in a round-about way that does not make it obvious that she is doing it.
This was the story of Rennie, a woman recently recovering from breast cancer (and feeling that her life is over). She basically stops living until she decides to go on a trip to a middle of nowhere island to get away from her life for a bit. And that's what happens...in a way. She gets a little caught up in a little revolution...
In typical Atwood fashion, the ending leaves the reader wondering...
Oh Atwood! I heart you!
growlcat's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favourite Margaret Attwood. Although I guess the intention is for the book to be about relationships of different kinds, the setting of a coup on a Caribbean island is not well explained and adds a layer of confusion to the aim of the novel.
jessby's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of Atwood's earlier novels and although there are glimpses of the writer she will become this one left me non-plussed.
Rennie is a journalist dealing with a partial mastectomy and subsequently her own mortality. She travels to a small Caribbean island under the premise of a writing travel piece but really just to escape reality for a few weeks. She gets involved with some locals, and becomes caught up in political unrest which eventuates into a coup. A book has to be exceptionally well written when all the characters are as unlikeable as they are in Bodily Harm. Rennie makes some incredibly stupid decisions and while I was sympathetic towards her, I didn't like her. None of the other characters including Jake, Lora and Paul are likeable in the least. Atwood's skill saves this from being a flop but it's certainly not one of her best.
Rennie is a journalist dealing with a partial mastectomy and subsequently her own mortality. She travels to a small Caribbean island under the premise of a writing travel piece but really just to escape reality for a few weeks. She gets involved with some locals, and becomes caught up in political unrest which eventuates into a coup. A book has to be exceptionally well written when all the characters are as unlikeable as they are in Bodily Harm. Rennie makes some incredibly stupid decisions and while I was sympathetic towards her, I didn't like her. None of the other characters including Jake, Lora and Paul are likeable in the least. Atwood's skill saves this from being a flop but it's certainly not one of her best.
hphipps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
ivanssister's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't as good as the usual Atwood. The main character gets herself tangled up in some things that most people would be smart enough to avoid, so I couldn't really sympathize with her.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Embora Atwood seja minha escritora favorita, este livro, na minha opinião, não é tão bom como os outros de sua autoria. Mas não deixa de ser uma narrativa instigante, como um final surpreendente e confuso.
sxrxhtonin_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
isabeldelpha's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i too am not exempt from fearing men
winniec's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up because Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite authors. I purchased it at a second hand book store.
This isn’t a very long book and the plot flew by making it feel even shorter. That isn’t a knock against it. While I appreciate a good book I can take my time with there is something to be said about losing a day because you can’t put a book down.
I was impressed with the descriptions of St. Antoine. I think it is one of the things Atwood does best in her writing so it is no surprise she brings St. Antoine to life in these pages. The characters, while I don’t like most of them, all felt like real people. Speaking of characters, I’m sorry to say but I found Rennie, the main character, very unlikable. Luckily, I don’t have to like a character to like reading about them.