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yourbookishbff's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
This, for me, was a perfect conclusion to Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women. Through the first three books in the series, Catriona has been an observer, with limited on-page dialogue and limited roles in action, and now, with her inner monologue finally available to us, we can understand why. Dunmore writes Catriona with such respect and tenderness, highlighting - but never simplifying or caricaturing - her neurodivergence, shedding light on her childhood trauma and granting us a view into her past loves and heartbreaks. The plot moves methodically through Catriona's ghosts, helping her to find peace and self-confidence, while also moving her directly into the orbit of a person who can truly see her, someone who will make her feel known. Elias, a man caught between mountain and sea, the Levant and the West, a life of business and a life pursuing reparation, is a person who immediately recognizes the fear and flight woven into Catriona. For as much as Catriona provides him a place to rest, he does the same for her, and he insists on her honesty - with herself and with him - at every turn, propelling her own self-discovery and healing.
Dunmore has moved through new facets of the suffragette movement and feminist politics in each installment, but this is the first where she has directly addressed British (and more broadly European) colonialism and imperialism. Elias is Lebanese and a Maronite Catholic, and his perspective consistently challenges our suffragettes to recognize and condemn the violence of British imperialism around the world. Dunmore deftly weaves commentary on international conflict into dialogue, and in a few expertly done conversations, shows the limits of white feminism within the suffragette movement as our women must work harder to be true accomplices to Elias.
And the epilogue. I won't ever be able to reread it - I cried all the way through. I'm honestly left emotionally reeling from the depth and vulnerability of this series conclusion, and I'm so grateful to Dunmore for bringing readers on this journey with Annabelle, Lucie, Hattie and Catriona.
Dunmore has moved through new facets of the suffragette movement and feminist politics in each installment, but this is the first where she has directly addressed British (and more broadly European) colonialism and imperialism. Elias is Lebanese and a Maronite Catholic, and his perspective consistently challenges our suffragettes to recognize and condemn the violence of British imperialism around the world. Dunmore deftly weaves commentary on international conflict into dialogue, and in a few expertly done conversations, shows the limits of white feminism within the suffragette movement as our women must work harder to be true accomplices to Elias.
And the epilogue. I won't ever be able to reread it - I cried all the way through. I'm honestly left emotionally reeling from the depth and vulnerability of this series conclusion, and I'm so grateful to Dunmore for bringing readers on this journey with Annabelle, Lucie, Hattie and Catriona.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Child death, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Classism
Notes on consent: consent is a mix of verbal and nonverbal (frequent check-ins). Pregnancy prevention is discussed and actions are taken (condom use).
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