Reviews

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

elizabeth_its_liz_reading's review against another edition

4.0

Slightly changing my thoughts on this one, as I think about it more.

I still think there were errors in execution, but it did do a great job showing the flaws in 2nd wave/ choice feminism and demonstrates why we need intersectional feminism that always analyzes context.

maddylux26's review against another edition

reflective tense medium-paced

3.25

bentonnnn1's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

taylormiranda1621's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

steen's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a dark, cynical read. The unnamed character is wholly unlikeable; she is acute and unflinching in what she perceives. Like her husband John, who is in the throes of upheaval from years of affairs with students, the narrator very much appears as a narcissist.

Through her lens, the reader gets to engage in many discourses ranging from vanity, aging, sexual agency & appeal, motherhood, morality and culpability, what is good literature and what is bad literature, the millennial generation, feminism and the institution of academia.

When the narrator acts on her desire and lust for Vladimir I was unnerved. And then, I think Jonas very expertly (almost comedic?) turns it all upside down, revealing the narrator to be all puff.

I liked the ending, and I thought it fitting.

mbixler27's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

mrsrccockrell's review against another edition

3.0

I have to give this at least 3 stars just because of how well written it is and how well thought out the characters are. But I also have to admit that I didn’t love it. It was a little anticlimactic. I appreciate the necessity of the message while also feeling a little annoyed by it, since I don’t agree with every facet of the presentation. It’s an interesting novel at this me too moment in time. It’s good, but I’m conflicted about how I feel about the story itself.

aimee_ls's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the_eggelstone's review

4.0

A literary professor is lusting after her younger, attractive colleague, while simultaneously navigating her personal and professional life during accusations against her husband of having had indecent relationships with students.

What follows is a biting, interesting and dark inner monologue, that spirals towards an seemingly interesting climax - that just doesn’t really come. The last twenty pages or so feel like a rushed afterthought and left me somewhat disappointed. The writing is flawless and I enjoyed reading the book but it’s a shame the author didn’t manage to really stick the landing here. Curious to read what she comes up with next!

katieleabx's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0