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adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very interesting read, and certainly very progressive for its time. Perhaps due to the format of the book, the reading was very dry at times. Still, it was a fun read, and very interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Deportation
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Classism
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Colonisation
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First published in 1915, Herland is a truly exceptional book. Widely categorised as a “Feminist Utopia” novel, it examines the possibilities and differences in development in an entirely female world, and the eventual intersection of that world with modern men (of the time).
The true wonder of this novel however lies in the way its format and message stand up more than a hundred years later. The commentary on society, gender roles, modern life and everything else all apply today just as well as they must have at the time of publication, making ‘Herland’ an essential feminist read.
The true wonder of this novel however lies in the way its format and message stand up more than a hundred years later. The commentary on society, gender roles, modern life and everything else all apply today just as well as they must have at the time of publication, making ‘Herland’ an essential feminist read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a lot of thoughts when it comes to this book. I appreciate the concept especially as it was conceived in a time when women were considered vastly inferior to their male counterparts. To construct a society in which men are secondary and live in a matriarchal system is somewhat genius. I had some gripes about the execution of this book however. Firstly, while I can appreciate a rich backstory of the mother deity these women worship, I dislike how it strictly ties to reproduction and motherhood. Women are already indoctrinated into this mindset of motherhood from a very young age on a worldly scale. It sort of misses the mark of feminism and feminist power, to me at least. To show women in a much more self-involved light would've made for a much more interesting storyline. Women are obviously much more than their wombs, especially as a lot of women struggle with infertility and/or simply do not want to reproduce. I also would've appreciated a queer love story between two women somewhere in the book as it would've made a lot of sense.
Another point I want to make is that this book endorses a coloniser mentality. Throughout this book, the travellers who "discover" the island wish to change the native people to adhere to their strict values and principles. This also has ties to patriarchal hegemony and authority but I found that it moreso aligned with the historical invaders of the past. There was even scenes in which a character discussed reigning over the land, a foreshadowing of the entitlement to come. It was uncomfortable to continuously read conversations and scenes in which there was discussion of white entitlement and power. Again, though it is unfortunately realistic, I was really hoping for a utopian society where these travellers would not even consider such ideas as it directly contradicts the utopian theme.
The final pages of the book contain a scene which infer an attempted sexual assault of a female character. There was a lot of discussion about the men's right to do as he may which was disgusting to read, another example of male entitlement the characters exhibited. Then to criticise their judgement of such an act was also hard to read. I didn't like to read it though to see it from a different perspective, everyone has a different view of utopia. Men in this period were deeply sexist, misogynistic and racist, so it would make sense for the characters to act this way. Considering that I was expecting a utopia in which all the characters were agreeable and compassionate, I personally wouldn't consider this entirely utopian.
Another point I want to make is that this book endorses a coloniser mentality. Throughout this book, the travellers who "discover" the island wish to change the native people to adhere to their strict values and principles. This also has ties to patriarchal hegemony and authority but I found that it moreso aligned with the historical invaders of the past. There was even scenes in which a character discussed reigning over the land, a foreshadowing of the entitlement to come. It was uncomfortable to continuously read conversations and scenes in which there was discussion of white entitlement and power. Again, though it is unfortunately realistic, I was really hoping for a utopian society where these travellers would not even consider such ideas as it directly contradicts the utopian theme.
The final pages of the book contain a scene which infer an attempted sexual assault of a female character. There was a lot of discussion about the men's right to do as he may which was disgusting to read, another example of male entitlement the characters exhibited. Then to criticise their judgement of such an act was also hard to read. I didn't like to read it though to see it from a different perspective, everyone has a different view of utopia. Men in this period were deeply sexist, misogynistic and racist, so it would make sense for the characters to act this way. Considering that I was expecting a utopia in which all the characters were agreeable and compassionate, I personally wouldn't consider this entirely utopian.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Colonisation