Reviews

The Growing Season by Helen Sedgwick

ailsareads's review against another edition

5.0

2018 is off to a great start with The Growing Season! A story set in an alternate modern-day UK where babies are grown in external pouches, removing one of the most fundamental inequalities between the sexes. The Growing Season tackles feminism and whether there really are fundamental differences between men and women, at the same time crafting a clever sci-fi novel, expertly researched and with the science so well explained even someone who got a 3 in their Standard Grade biology 14 years ago can understand. Helen Sedgwick was a physicist before becoming an author and she brings a fascinating depth of knowledge to her novels.

hollicane's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

3.0

thewrongkenna's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.0

I really enjoyed this book but I think it could be even better. Some things got a little repetitive and tired towards the end - but the idea was good and the characters were great.

emilyg's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

veve_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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? No

2.75

Overall a well written story with a fascinating and original premise. However the book introduces and teases interesting aspects of this alternative version of the present then pulls back in favour of focusing on the characters interior lives in a way that is repetitive and makes the plot drag. Overall the book dithers between a meditation on grief and love and a cautionary fable of the ways scientific progress can amplify and compound existing faults in society. Frustratingly it fails to deliver a satisfactory resolution for either theme. 

snoutling's review against another edition

About a 3.5. The book starts out strongly, but didn't keep me enthralled all the way through.

writingwwolves's review against another edition

3.0

The first half of the book moved so slowly that I almost gave up on reading the book, but during the second half The Growing Season evolved into a very thought-provoking piece of writing that has obviously had a lot of care & effort put into it.

Sedgwick has put a lot of thought into this book & it addresses a lot of issues; she obviously cared a lot about this story & for that I commend her. The Growing Season is great for anyone who really loves science-fiction & those who often wonder about the dangers of science.

I was sent an eARC of this book in return for an honest review

Trigger Warning: this book contains still-birth & suicide.

Extended blog review: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/the-growing-season-by-helen-sedgwick/

lowlandsbeach's review against another edition

4.0

a page turner, psychological/mystery, very readable, and also thought provoking. I definitely recommend the novel as a good read. A little less confusion in the beginning would be good. for example, "natural conception" is a bit coy, it took me a while to realise that it meant the transplant of a few days old foetus from a woman's womb to the artificial pouch. However, all is made clear especially in the last few pages. So yes I enjoyed reading this book and it is very memorable.

sivadrepip's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This book is based on an amazing concept that had potential for driving a powerful dystopian plot. But the plot takes a backseat to minute character interactions, leaving the best part of the book working in the background. 

tklassy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0