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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
an intriguing premise that could've been the core of a great book, especially in the times of pandemic. I'm not saying the book isn't worth reading, but it certainly could provide more insight. The author focuses on white, privileged women and makes them the main characters of a story that can't be told without diversity. Honestly, there were times when I was getting lost in who is who - and that's on the fact that all women had more or less the same character traits. Another issue I noticed is that many social problems could be explored more deeply which would undoubtedly improve believability and general value of this book as a story about society in pandemic.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a book that manages to feel like it encompasses a world of stories and is deeply personal to its characters. It's a book that feels very pertinent to our current crisis, and as someone who has experienced loss from this pandemic, I found it a remarkably cathartic thing to read about another one.
I can't help but wonder what form pandemic narratives will take after this crisis is no longer acute. We will be lucky if they are all this nuanced and considerate, if they take the time to tell such human stories without exploitation or schmalz.
I can't help but wonder what form pandemic narratives will take after this crisis is no longer acute. We will be lucky if they are all this nuanced and considerate, if they take the time to tell such human stories without exploitation or schmalz.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fantastic read! Loved it. Can’t wait for more from this author.
It’s a shame Christina Sweeney-Baird happened to be writing about a worldwide pandemic in 2018. Publishing timelines meant she was completing edits in April 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing and it became clear the disease wasn’t going away any time soon. The End of Men was published a year later, at the start of COVID Year 2. Reading this novel facing COVID Year 3 was nothing if not surreal, a thriller turned boring because its worst horrors have basically come true.
Full review up on Literary Transgressions: https://literarytransgressions.wordpress.com/2022/03/10/the-end-of-men-by-christina-sweeney-baird/
Full review up on Literary Transgressions: https://literarytransgressions.wordpress.com/2022/03/10/the-end-of-men-by-christina-sweeney-baird/
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was so worried that this would be another version of The Power (which I thought was a white libfem waste of my time) but it’s so much more nuanced and intriguing - especially in a pandemic stricken world. The fact that the author managed to predict so many parts of a global pandemic with such accuracy is nothing short of shocking. I particularly enjoyed the contemplation (albeit brief) of how a virus that discriminated on the basis of chromosomes would impact upon the LGBTQIA communities, especially for trans and no binary people.
I would have loved some discussion of the myriad experiences for POC around the world but the explanation given is sufficient if not entirely satisfying but all in all - a solid read.
I would have loved some discussion of the myriad experiences for POC around the world but the explanation given is sufficient if not entirely satisfying but all in all - a solid read.
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes