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paguroidea's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.0
The concept is interesting but it could’ve been fleshed out so, so much more. Ending wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly to really make sense but overall I liked the story enough.
I do have to add, I really wish there was a way to respond to some of these other reviews like on GoodReads, cause some of y’all seriously missed the entire point of the story and apparently have had the good fortune of not meeting a religious (especially evangelical) fanatic/nationalist IRL before. Yes, they are *actually* like the men in power in this book. They think the Earth is flat, 6,000 years old, and that women have to “submit” to men. It’s pure delusion.
Reducing this book down to “anti-christian” without even acknowledging or so much as understanding that these kinds of extremists exist and are actively trying to destroy society as we know it is just…yikes.
I do have to add, I really wish there was a way to respond to some of these other reviews like on GoodReads, cause some of y’all seriously missed the entire point of the story and apparently have had the good fortune of not meeting a religious (especially evangelical) fanatic/nationalist IRL before. Yes, they are *actually* like the men in power in this book. They think the Earth is flat, 6,000 years old, and that women have to “submit” to men. It’s pure delusion.
Reducing this book down to “anti-christian” without even acknowledging or so much as understanding that these kinds of extremists exist and are actively trying to destroy society as we know it is just…yikes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gun violence, and Homophobia
danimacuk's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Gun violence, Death, Homophobia, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Confinement, and Cursing
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'll be totally honest, when I first looked at this I was pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy it. But actually, it's another one of those terrifying dystopian novels that, if you squint, isn't actually that outlandish at all. Imagine that every woman you know is prevented from working, every girl's education is limited to basic maths and home economics (no reading or writing), and every female is limited to speaking just 100 words per day on pain of electrocution. How do you even begin to start fighting back?
The plot feels like quite a slow burn; it's certainly not an action packed storyline, but even within the fairly domestic setting there is something about the way this is written that keeps you engaged. In my opinion, it's actually the stories of the main character's oldest and youngest child that really cry out to you as a reader; seeing a teenage boy influenced into 'drinking the Kool-Aid', not just through peer pressure but through educational indoctrination and media bias feels so real and relatable, particularly considering the issues the US are currently experiencing. And the instinct to scream at the unfairness of a little girl suffering a nightmare and not being able to call out for her mummy then celebrating when she wins an award for saying the fewest words in a day... it's heartbreaking.
The book reads like the author looks at those of a religious persuasion and is genuinely perplexed at how their beliefs lead to such fanatical behaviour. Now, clearly that is not reflective of every person of faith, but the author has done a very good job at illustrate the 'extreme' end of Christian conservatism in the US (at least, it's recognisable from a Brit's POV!) It's also a great social commentary on the importance of using your voice when you can; vote when you have the opportunity, stand up for your rights and the rights of others and take an interest in current affairs, politics and the world around you so you can try to make a difference, rather than getting stuck in a situation you don't like without ever having said a word.
This book is very much the author writing ehat she knows; her accreditation as a neurolinguist is stated in the 'About the Author' section. While it does make for interesting reading, at the same time her knowledge does shine through in the use of technical jargon and other elements. As it is quite a niche field of interest, it does make the book a little hard to follow in places and a little 'mad scientist-y' in the resolution. But overall it's still a very readable and understandable book.
I was also slightly disappointed by the ending. I appreciate that the story is told from one character's perspective, but that does mean that the denouement isn't witnessed firsthand and so the key scene is actually just referred to in a vague conversation between two characters. After that slow build, it would have been nice to see the outcome firsthand .
Pleasantly surprised by this!
The plot feels like quite a slow burn; it's certainly not an action packed storyline, but even within the fairly domestic setting there is something about the way this is written that keeps you engaged. In my opinion, it's actually the stories of the main character's oldest and youngest child that really cry out to you as a reader; seeing a teenage boy influenced into 'drinking the Kool-Aid', not just through peer pressure but through educational indoctrination and media bias feels so real and relatable, particularly considering the issues the US are currently experiencing. And the instinct to scream at the unfairness of a little girl suffering a nightmare and not being able to call out for her mummy then celebrating when she wins an award for saying the fewest words in a day... it's heartbreaking.
The book reads like the author looks at those of a religious persuasion and is genuinely perplexed at how their beliefs lead to such fanatical behaviour. Now, clearly that is not reflective of every person of faith, but the author has done a very good job at illustrate the 'extreme' end of Christian conservatism in the US (at least, it's recognisable from a Brit's POV!) It's also a great social commentary on the importance of using your voice when you can; vote when you have the opportunity, stand up for your rights and the rights of others and take an interest in current affairs, politics and the world around you so you can try to make a difference, rather than getting stuck in a situation you don't like without ever having said a word.
This book is very much the author writing ehat she knows; her accreditation as a neurolinguist is stated in the 'About the Author' section. While it does make for interesting reading, at the same time her knowledge does shine through in the use of technical jargon and other elements. As it is quite a niche field of interest, it does make the book a little hard to follow in places and a little 'mad scientist-y' in the resolution. But overall it's still a very readable and understandable book.
I was also slightly disappointed by the ending. I appreciate that the story is told from one character's perspective, but that does mean that the denouement isn't witnessed firsthand and so the key scene is actually just referred to in a vague conversation between two characters. After that slow build, it would have been nice to see the outcome firsthand .
Pleasantly surprised by this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Homophobia, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Death, Animal death, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Blood
tobi_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
I found out about the authors transphobic views after i read this book.
It's an interesting and important concept but the excursion of said concept is not great. The entire book is written from the perspective of the main character, who is extremely privileged and gets everything she wants in the end- this privilege is never acknowledged and barely even mentioned. While the concept of the book would make it seem feminist, the lack of intersectionality throughout the novel cheapens and undermines the feminist intent.
The author is a TERF, an ideology that is determined to take away the voices of trans women. How ironic.
It's an interesting and important concept but the excursion of said concept is not great. The entire book is written from the perspective of the main character, who is extremely privileged and gets everything she wants in the end- this privilege is never acknowledged and barely even mentioned. While the concept of the book would make it seem feminist, the lack of intersectionality throughout the novel cheapens and undermines the feminist intent.
The author is a TERF, an ideology that is determined to take away the voices of trans women. How ironic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia, Gore, and Violence
inkell's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
beau_03's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I’ve not picked up a book in a while and this one had me keen to continue which is always a plus. The ending was rushed, too much so, and there were some strange decisions made about how to tie off the loose ends. Seems strange for our protagonist to take the back seat for so much of the ending, given the subject. And I’m not a fan on the awkward love triangle? Line? Comparison thing going on with her decision making as it seemed a little too on the nose. But overall, the premise is interesting, the buildup is engaging and then of course you have to know how it ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Pregnancy, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Blood and Vomit
jodielk93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, and Lesbophobia
ilo_the_duck's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Medical content, Infidelity, Gun violence, Homophobia, Police brutality, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual content
hanbu's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was very much just a handmaids tale retelling
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Self harm, Blood, Gun violence, Medical content, and Murder