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mikathereviewer's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
2.0
Literally nothing happens in this book. We get thought-provoking questions, but never answers. We get a little bit of plot (barely) and get no answers and rather plot holes. We get a character-driven story that has flat characters. There were over 40 characters but we only got the names of about 10 and only any information besides that of 3 or 4 (including protagonist!). But weirdly we get explained with great detail how almost all 40 people died instead of just moving on and perhaps trying to make the pace a bit faster in the book as literally everything was slow-paced and even major events weren't faster than medium-paced. You can't tell me that this book was fast-paced. 'Cause so many things repeat itself, especially near the end, which by the way is A LOT dragged, instead of ending it sooner. We get to know due to the protagonist not knowing these things what genital body parts are, where they are, how to write and how to read and so much more but actual questions (which I don't mention to not spoiler) were NEVER answered. One could say it's due to the book wanting us to think, but honestly it feels more like the story wasn't really finished or thought through. I get it when we should get our own answers for thought-provoking questions, but for the plot of this story? Plots are supposed to be explained and as I said, while reading it felt more like a unfinished or not thoufht through story than actually wanting us to make up our own theories.
I gave it 2 instead of 1 star as we get 1 plot related thing actually answered (even though I didn't think about it that much and was rather useless, but we get at least 1 answer so that's fair I guess). I also gave it 2 instead of 1 star as the beginning wasn't actually that bad. The whole though provoking questions and the backstories of that happened before the story started was interesting. And the consequences and rules were interesting too and they also somewhat got explained or we could at least make up our own theories about it, which in this case (since it wasn't a major thing) was actually cool.
15. July 2024
I gave it 2 instead of 1 star as we get 1 plot related thing actually answered (even though I didn't think about it that much and was rather useless, but we get at least 1 answer so that's fair I guess). I also gave it 2 instead of 1 star as the beginning wasn't actually that bad. The whole though provoking questions and the backstories of that happened before the story started was interesting. And the consequences and rules were interesting too and they also somewhat got explained or we could at least make up our own theories about it, which in this case (since it wasn't a major thing) was actually cool.
15. July 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cancer, Self harm, Terminal illness, Blood, Excrement, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Dementia, and Abandonment
k8_m8's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, and Grief
colormecaro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Very nearly a perfect book. The only reason I subtracted from my rating is because sometimes I found the “I know this thing that I have never seen before, because the women have told me about it” a bit far fetched.
But ignoring that, this book is just something else entirely. Full of existential questions, and not very many answers.
But ignoring that, this book is just something else entirely. Full of existential questions, and not very many answers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Grief
infectedarea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Murder
nreyno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Murder
kmaffett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Cancer
inhaledmocha's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Words can hardly describe how this book made me feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Grief
cspa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, where to start? I Who Have Never Known Men, is such a consuming story for a tale that give no answers.
The story follows an unnamed narrator from her earliest memories to her final days. She entered the bunker at such a young age that she has no recollection of the world before it. The women captured with her also lack memories of their abduction, creating a stark contrast with the protagonist. She feels isolated and alienated due to her inability to comprehend their perspectives and her young age inhibiting her from seeing their situation as anything other than normal.
As she grew, she discovered that the bunker's strict rules molded her aversion to touch, emotions, and softness, all enforced by the silent, vigilant guards' cracking whips. Despite the women's desire to console her as a child, they were restricted from any physical contact, along side the complex realization that her presence evoked memories of their own separated children. She initially believed they were withholding knowledge from her, only to realize the limitations imposed by their confined environment.
It is only when a twist of fate grants them freedom that she comprehends the extent of her captivity, yet she maintains her spirit and curiosity. Her distinctiveness from the other women allows her to perceive beyond the expected and assumed societal norms of their past.
This apocalyptic/otherworldly setting that when breached seems no different from our own lacks the diversity of seasons and broad landscapes. Traversing through this gripping and heart-wrenching narrative is engrossing. The voice of "the child" resonates strongly, and Harpman's skill in maintaining suspense in a seemingly plotless narrative is captivating. The transition from a clinical writing style within the bunker to vivid descriptions outside, where she encounters new experiences, is particularly striking.
Reflecting on the story, a quote from the book in another review caught my attention. Initially overlooked, it was actually from the beginning pages, where she recounts her journey – a subtle yet remarkable revelation as I revisited these pages with newfound understanding.
I observed a few outdated beliefs held by some older women, highlighting the stark contrast with the budding philosophy of our young narrator. For instance, one captive's view was, “Men mean you are alive, child. What are we without a future, without children? The last link in a broken chain.” However, our main character's unique situation, devoid of interaction with men, challenged this notion. She found joy in simple pleasures, becoming a crucial link in others' salvation. Another belief centered around beauty solely for men, yet later in the story, women found beauty and love among themselves. Even early, on when exploring her own body she discovered an overwhelming sensation she described as an "explosion," which can only be accomplished through self-pleasure but has little understanding of it and the women won't provide an explanation. However, later on in the book when she does get a little clarification, it's told in a very clinical sense... a very heteronormative rational. Though, her indifference was understandable, considering her upbringing and discomfort with physical contact.
Amidst the multitude of thought-provoking questions and the remarkable achievements of these women, there lies a profound sense of sisterhood and love, even in the midst of trauma and grief. Hope and despair claim this book, and though, the story is incredibly sorrowful and disheartening, it also embodies resilience and determination.
Highly recommend.
The story follows an unnamed narrator from her earliest memories to her final days. She entered the bunker at such a young age that she has no recollection of the world before it. The women captured with her also lack memories of their abduction, creating a stark contrast with the protagonist. She feels isolated and alienated due to her inability to comprehend their perspectives and her young age inhibiting her from seeing their situation as anything other than normal.
As she grew, she discovered that the bunker's strict rules molded her aversion to touch, emotions, and softness, all enforced by the silent, vigilant guards' cracking whips. Despite the women's desire to console her as a child, they were restricted from any physical contact, along side the complex realization that her presence evoked memories of their own separated children. She initially believed they were withholding knowledge from her, only to realize the limitations imposed by their confined environment.
It is only when a twist of fate grants them freedom that she comprehends the extent of her captivity, yet she maintains her spirit and curiosity. Her distinctiveness from the other women allows her to perceive beyond the expected and assumed societal norms of their past.
This apocalyptic/otherworldly setting that when breached seems no different from our own lacks the diversity of seasons and broad landscapes. Traversing through this gripping and heart-wrenching narrative is engrossing. The voice of "the child" resonates strongly, and Harpman's skill in maintaining suspense in a seemingly plotless narrative is captivating. The transition from a clinical writing style within the bunker to vivid descriptions outside, where she encounters new experiences, is particularly striking.
Reflecting on the story, a quote from the book in another review caught my attention. Initially overlooked, it was actually from the beginning pages, where she recounts her journey – a subtle yet remarkable revelation as I revisited these pages with newfound understanding.
I observed a few outdated beliefs held by some older women, highlighting the stark contrast with the budding philosophy of our young narrator. For instance, one captive's view was, “Men mean you are alive, child. What are we without a future, without children? The last link in a broken chain.” However, our main character's unique situation, devoid of interaction with men, challenged this notion. She found joy in simple pleasures, becoming a crucial link in others' salvation. Another belief centered around beauty solely for men, yet later in the story, women found beauty and love among themselves. Even early, on when exploring her own body she discovered an overwhelming sensation she described as an "explosion," which can only be accomplished through self-pleasure but has little understanding of it and the women won't provide an explanation. However, later on in the book when she does get a little clarification, it's told in a very clinical sense... a very heteronormative rational. Though, her indifference was understandable, considering her upbringing and discomfort with physical contact.
Amidst the multitude of thought-provoking questions and the remarkable achievements of these women, there lies a profound sense of sisterhood and love, even in the midst of trauma and grief. Hope and despair claim this book, and though, the story is incredibly sorrowful and disheartening, it also embodies resilience and determination.
Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Grief
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
beanslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Kidnapping
mandareads222's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Infertility, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Violence and Alcohol