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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Vladimir" follows an unnamed female English professor during a highly turbulent time in her life. The professor's husband, also a professor, is about to face a trial because several women have come together to formally speak out against sexual advances made by him and his abuse of his position of power. Vladimir, a new professor to the university, has befriended him and our female protagonist has become enamored with Vladimir.
This story took me completely by surprise, and I really enjoyed every moment of it. There are definitely some difficult moments to read, but that is what made it all the more interesting to me.
There is a lot of commentary around the "me-too" movement because of the trial that is occurring in the story. The professor does not believe her husband did anything overtly wrong, which causes a lot of tension for her internally as well as between her and other characters. He may not have raped these women in the traditional sense, but he did use his position of power to get sexual favors. This consensus that this too is considered rape is difficult for the professor to understand because in her day that is not what rape was. Additionally, she knew about these relationships, and in some ways encouraged her husband to cheat, so she is really struggling to understand why this is such a big deal. I think this novel brings to light how older generations struggle with the "me-too" movement because to them, some of these cases are completely normalized. It does not make them right, but I think it helps us to approach this topic with more empathy.
The protagonist's infatuation with Vladimir is obsessive and a great parallel to what is occurring off the page with her husband. She objectifies Vladimir and stalks him. She becomes completely obsessed with him and wants to encourage an affair between the two of them to occur. It was unsettling, but a great reminder that women too can be just as inappropriate in their pursuits.
As a character, the protagonist was flawed deeply, but so interesting. I felt like most of the story was written as an inner monologue in her head, which differed greatly from what was happening off the page. Her perceptions about what people were doing and saying seemed so different from what we were actually reading on the page. She is unlikable, but almost relatable.
This novel remains in the gray area for the majority of the story, because the main point of view is very much in a gray area. This gave the novel an interesting blend of conflict and peace. The entire reading experience felt like we were moments away from a life-altering climax.
I do think the story ends up going off the rails a little bit at the end. It was entertaining to read, but it felt almost comical what events transpired. This also led to a resolution amongst the characters I am not sure I loved.
I am very excited to see what Julia May Jonas writes next.
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, Stalking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pregnancy
ta_ma_ra_gj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Infidelity, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt
snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Addiction
ladybergart's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Sexual violence
issyd23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
NB Personally disagreed with 90% of the protagonists’ thoughts & actions + her critiques of feminism, consent & cancel culture in a post me too era - but worth reading.
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Suicide, Stalking, Misogyny, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Racism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
karol99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Addiction, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, and Body shaming
kyrajg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Medical content
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Kidnapping, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Blood, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Suicide, Child death, Rape, and Sexual assault
olpapi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
mariahkindareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction and Pregnancy