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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
livwestland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Minor: Confinement, Eating disorder, and Stalking
rainbowarpaint's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical trauma, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
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
sydneybedell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Drug use, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Stalking
basicbookstagrammer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Self harm, Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Confinement, and Medical trauma
Minor: Kidnapping