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hikemogan's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't my favorite Margaret Atwood book. The plot was barely a plot, more like an ending which was just designed to wrap everything up. The characters were almost stock characters in a way, "Daniel" and "Jake," respectively the dreamy rich doctor and the more obtainable generic male jerk who the protagonist couldn't help but fall for anyways, or "Jocasta" the sassy female sidekick or "Lora" the tropical free spirit. The most compelling part was the descriptions of the protagonist's health issues and dealing with that loss. Atwood hit her stride later in the 1980s, but this one isn't absolutely necessary.
sefkhet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
horourke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.0
I am a big fan of Atwood’s work, but was disappointed by this novel. I didn’t know that this was one of her earlier works, but knowing that now, it makes sense. Rennie was a completely infuriating character - she was such a dumbass I thought she would get herself killed at multiple points throughout the book. She is very passive, allowing things to happen to her for her entire life. She has a bizarre relationship with men and with sex, allowing her misogynistic ex boyfriend to carry out his rape fantasies on her.
I did enjoy the premise of a naïve journalist going to write a fluffy travel piece only to get sucked into a violent political revolution, I just wish the main character was brighter and more interesting. Her complete self-absorption and naïvety was difficult to read. I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop being such an idiot at multiple points in the novel. Similar to the locals, I expected her to be smarter and infer more about the current situation she was in.
Glad I read it, not sure if I like it all that much. Also, the edition I have (1981 I believe) has so many typos it was distracting at times. Not sure how an editor didn’t catch these mistakes? I guess things were different in the 80s.
I did enjoy the premise of a naïve journalist going to write a fluffy travel piece only to get sucked into a violent political revolution, I just wish the main character was brighter and more interesting. Her complete self-absorption and naïvety was difficult to read. I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop being such an idiot at multiple points in the novel. Similar to the locals, I expected her to be smarter and infer more about the current situation she was in.
Glad I read it, not sure if I like it all that much. Also, the edition I have (1981 I believe) has so many typos it was distracting at times. Not sure how an editor didn’t catch these mistakes? I guess things were different in the 80s.
kirstentangedal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As with everything Atwood writes, you feel as though you are experiencing everything the main characters does along with them. Scenes are vivid, and the social commentary is scathing.
savannahjane328's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, and Police brutality
sarahnreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
beltorres91's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but it wasn't as good as all others books by Atwood.
pelle_kb's review against another edition
2.0
Baaardzo słaba ta Atwood - niby "Wynurzenie" jest starsze, ale jednak dużo pełniejsze i takie atwoodowe - jakbym przeczytała "Okaleczenie ciała" nie wiedząc, kto je napisał, to nigdy w życiu nie domyśliłabym się, że popełniła ją jedna z moich ukochanych pisarek.