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mx_malaprop's review against another edition
1.0
Fair warning: this is NOT a feminist novel. I don't understand why it has a reputation as one. It's more or less a tale of
Furthermore, Wells doesn't quite succeed in establishing a satisfactory basis for the romance, and once the characters confess their love, their relationship is just a little too magical. They discuss it amongst themselves in such effusive and idealistic terms that it makes the reader question what that relationship is going to be like when the characters' judgment is no longer befogged by the enchantment of infatuation.
Aside from all that, one of the salient plot points involves a debt that Ann Veronica incurs through ill-advised means and that is made much of, but then the resolution is never really addressed, which weakens the conclusion.
And look, a work of fiction doesn't have to be feminist or even non-sexist for it to be good or for me to like it. Goodness knows I've been reading enough D.H. Lawrence lately. But it was Ann Veronica's bait and switch move that exasperated me so much - after I'd gotten invested in the story of a character facing struggles I personally identified with and taking on questions that were important to me.
EDIT: Seriously, get a load of the following examples of Wells's wish-fulfillment writing of women in this book:
Exhibit A:
“'You know—I wish I could roll my little body up small and squeeze it into your hand and grip your fingers upon it. Tight. I want you to hold me and have me SO.... Everything. Everything. It’s a pure joy of giving—giving to YOU.'”
Exhibit B:
“One of the things that most surprised him in her was her capacity for blind obedience. She loved to be told to do things.”
And this after she shakes her fist at the heavens and swears that she "will not be slave to the thought of any man," and after she runs away from her familial home in revolt against being told what to do by her father.
And then there's this: "If I had never met anything of you at all but a scrap of your skin binding a book, Ann Veronica, I know I would have kept that somewhere near to me...." How very. And has Wells done enough to convince the reader that the title character is so special that a mere chunk of her leathered disembodied skin would so entrance the speaker of these words? Of course not!
Spoiler
an initially rebellious young woman ultimately deciding that the suffragists are histrionic and over the top, that her government's recognizing her full citizenship and humanity by giving her the vote wouldn't matter all that much (after spending a month in jail for the cause, no less), that what she needs to be happy is not independence but a man, and that she just loooves being told what to do by that man. Oh, and apparently setting out to spend your life with a man is "a woman's crowning experience." *weary sigh*Furthermore, Wells doesn't quite succeed in establishing a satisfactory basis for the romance, and once the characters confess their love, their relationship is just a little too magical. They discuss it amongst themselves in such effusive and idealistic terms that it makes the reader question what that relationship is going to be like when the characters' judgment is no longer befogged by the enchantment of infatuation.
Aside from all that, one of the salient plot points involves a debt that Ann Veronica incurs through ill-advised means and that is made much of, but then the resolution is never really addressed, which weakens the conclusion.
And look, a work of fiction doesn't have to be feminist or even non-sexist for it to be good or for me to like it. Goodness knows I've been reading enough D.H. Lawrence lately. But it was Ann Veronica's bait and switch move that exasperated me so much - after I'd gotten invested in the story of a character facing struggles I personally identified with and taking on questions that were important to me.
EDIT: Seriously, get a load of the following examples of Wells's wish-fulfillment writing of women in this book:
Exhibit A:
“'You know—I wish I could roll my little body up small and squeeze it into your hand and grip your fingers upon it. Tight. I want you to hold me and have me SO.... Everything. Everything. It’s a pure joy of giving—giving to YOU.'”
Exhibit B:
“One of the things that most surprised him in her was her capacity for blind obedience. She loved to be told to do things.”
And this after she shakes her fist at the heavens and swears that she "will not be slave to the thought of any man," and after she runs away from her familial home in revolt against being told what to do by her father.
And then there's this: "If I had never met anything of you at all but a scrap of your skin binding a book, Ann Veronica, I know I would have kept that somewhere near to me...." How very. And has Wells done enough to convince the reader that the title character is so special that a mere chunk of her leathered disembodied skin would so entrance the speaker of these words? Of course not!
jojosbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Or somewhere inbetween 2 and 3 stars...
Blindly went into this expecting a thrilling H.G. Wells Sci-fi (bearing in mind I've never actually read anything from him before so what really are these expectations based on?) and was given a half-entertaining proto feminist novel. And somehow the New Woman feminist movement is made to be more of a plot device than a profound, self-realizing cause. So there's that.
Oo I like that it was narrated by Bill Nighy on BBC Sounds. But that's less to do with the book and more to do with Bill Nighy
Blindly went into this expecting a thrilling H.G. Wells Sci-fi (bearing in mind I've never actually read anything from him before so what really are these expectations based on?) and was given a half-entertaining proto feminist novel. And somehow the New Woman feminist movement is made to be more of a plot device than a profound, self-realizing cause. So there's that.
Oo I like that it was narrated by Bill Nighy on BBC Sounds. But that's less to do with the book and more to do with Bill Nighy
therookerybookery's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
amavi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I can partially appreciate this for the themes it explored at the time, but you could really tell it was written by a man
sophiewoz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the social commentary was interesting
beccakatie's review against another edition
4.0
This certainly wasn't what I was expecting from H.G. Wells but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ann Veronica was a well written character, with depth that made her likeable to the reader. Her personal development, particularly during times of difficulty, was very well written, and the male characters she was set against made me like her all the more. She is roundly capable of fighting back against misogyny, but has a lot more to offer the reader than her simply being a dedicated suffragette. The reader is firmly on her side, and many of the discussions they have in the book are still relevant to today's society, such as the economic position of women, male attitudes, potential cross gender friendships and the relationship between a parent and child. That these subjects still affect people today helps the book maintain relevancy and enables the reader to feel even more sympathetic to Ann Veronica, as many can understand her struggle
themararose's review against another edition
4.0
3.75-4
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
themodvictorian's review against another edition
2.0
In many ways, a wonderful little book with a lot to offer. It would make for a fantastic group discussion. I found myself highlighting and writing notes often. I thought there was a lot of truth in the sentiments toward the beginning of the novel, but it all sort of fell apart for me about midway.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
chapman's review against another edition
4.0
While some elements of the book may seem a little dated, it was not so long ago that women did not have the vote and ironically, the better off your family, the more dependent and restricted a girl would be.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.