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kirtcanread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
sashahenriksen's review against another edition
2.0
Nothing groundbreaking or special about this book but it has its moments
arinatrosihina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amy_janssen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Very rarely do I enjoy a man writing about a women's experiences (especially those involving rape), but Helgason does quite a formidable job. Maybe it's the fact that I didn't live through World War II, or that I'm not an Icelandic woman, but his voice was certainly refreshing. I mean, first of all, I can't remember the last time that I read a book about an elderly person. Maybe never? Second of all, Herra is blunt and brunt and rude. And that's something women rarely get to be, even in literature.
And, something I don't see as often is women living to their greatest potential. Herra did so much--and was forced to do so much--so it's completely understandable why she takes upon such a harsh tone through Helgason's writing. She falls in love multiple times, gets pregnant multiple times, is forced to flee multiple times--all while being accompanied by her father's hand grenade.
There's also some great passages about being a woman within this book that I so wish I had underlined. Like I said before, I was a little wary about this being written by a man, but wow. I think he understands how much and how often women sacrifice themselves in order to appease men (whether on a personal level or a political, global level).
Overall, this book was so incredibly enjoyable and interesting that I had a hard time putting it down. I definitely recommend this to those who like fiction, biographies, and WWII literature.
Review cross-listed here!
And, something I don't see as often is women living to their greatest potential. Herra did so much--and was forced to do so much--so it's completely understandable why she takes upon such a harsh tone through Helgason's writing. She falls in love multiple times, gets pregnant multiple times, is forced to flee multiple times--all while being accompanied by her father's hand grenade.
There's also some great passages about being a woman within this book that I so wish I had underlined. Like I said before, I was a little wary about this being written by a man, but wow. I think he understands how much and how often women sacrifice themselves in order to appease men (whether on a personal level or a political, global level).
Overall, this book was so incredibly enjoyable and interesting that I had a hard time putting it down. I definitely recommend this to those who like fiction, biographies, and WWII literature.
Review cross-listed here!
angeladobre's review against another edition
5.0
https://booknation.ro/recenzie-femeia-la-1000c-de-hallgrimur-helgason/
cosy_novel_niche's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. It took me an eternity to finish this book, but it was worth it. It's raw, unpleasant, sarcastic, unapologetic, rude and absolutely not politically correct. At some points, I didn't want to pick up the book for weeks, however at the end for me, it was worth it.
I understood a bit more about Iceland and how it changed in the last century, I followed the perilous life of an imaginary old woman and got lost in some deep thoughts every now and then. This book is not and will never be everybody's cup of tea, but it is worth trying.
I understood a bit more about Iceland and how it changed in the last century, I followed the perilous life of an imaginary old woman and got lost in some deep thoughts every now and then. This book is not and will never be everybody's cup of tea, but it is worth trying.