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ritasotero's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book killed me. Amazing book, amazing writing, i just cant read this type of books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Genocide, and Torture
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: Torture, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Death
archaicrobin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
First of all, if you’re someone that needs answers I’d caution you on reading this one. Everything is ambiguous and speculative and there are no clear cut answers or revelations, only theories. I love speculative fiction and while I do love answers, I can still appreciate a good book that gives you nothing but questions.
I Who Have Never Known men is a feminist dystopian tale from the 90s that starts with questions and ends with questions, all asked and attempted to be answered by the main character who has no name and is only referred to as “the child”. She is the youngest of 40 women trapped in a cage, in an unknown location, tormented by unknown men, for unknown reasons, until one day…. They’re not.
This one kept me reading in hopes of figuring out what was going on, and what felt at first felt like your normal dystopian quickly turns into a speculative story about what it means to be a human. I loved this one and am still thinking about it!
I Who Have Never Known men is a feminist dystopian tale from the 90s that starts with questions and ends with questions, all asked and attempted to be answered by the main character who has no name and is only referred to as “the child”. She is the youngest of 40 women trapped in a cage, in an unknown location, tormented by unknown men, for unknown reasons, until one day…. They’re not.
This one kept me reading in hopes of figuring out what was going on, and what felt at first felt like your normal dystopian quickly turns into a speculative story about what it means to be a human. I loved this one and am still thinking about it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Abandonment, Confinement, and Death
morgan_gensler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Stunned. This will be a book I think about for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Grief, Death, Torture, and Abandonment
sakisreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I had seen this all over BookTok and I am easily influenced so I bought a copy immediately when I saw a copy at a book fair 😂
I’m puzzled by this one. I could not put it down, even though it explained NOTHING (e.g. why were these women trapped in the bunker?!). I was upset by some of the more graphic scenes (which I’ll detail in the content warnings below), but still wanted it to keep going 😳 Literature is so powerful.
I’m giving this 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something with a Margaret Atwood energy. Fascinating!
I’m puzzled by this one. I could not put it down, even though it explained NOTHING (e.g. why were these women trapped in the bunker?!). I was upset by some of the more graphic scenes (which I’ll detail in the content warnings below), but still wanted it to keep going 😳 Literature is so powerful.
I’m giving this 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something with a Margaret Atwood energy. Fascinating!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Misogyny
janaptrsn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, Death, and Torture
amharless417's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
annaavian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"I Who Have Never Known Men" by Jacqueline Harpman is a haunting and mesmerizing novel that captivates readers with its unique blend of bleakness and beauty. This thought-provoking story drew me in from the very beginning and held me captive until the very last page. The author's masterful storytelling and compelling prose make this book unlike any other I have read.
Harpman skillfully weaves a narrative that delves into themes of isolation, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. The way she captures the struggles and hopes of the characters in a stark and mysterious setting is both haunting and beautiful. The novel's ambiance and depth make it a truly distinct reading experience.
Harpman skillfully weaves a narrative that delves into themes of isolation, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. The way she captures the struggles and hopes of the characters in a stark and mysterious setting is both haunting and beautiful. The novel's ambiance and depth make it a truly distinct reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, Suicide, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Cancer
sldccc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Death, Torture, Violence, Mental illness, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Grief, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
beatingaroundthebooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Terminal illness, Infertility, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Confinement
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Child death, Cancer, Abandonment, Deportation, Violence, and Emotional abuse