Scan barcode
A review by 1mcmaz
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
adventurous
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The racism and sexism of the characters is somewhat tolerable in that they are written to be layered and morally ambiguous, and not so forgivable in the author’s narration and humor.
Bonnie Abzug is a decent attempt at a woman written by a man in the 70s. Her characterization is a bit inconsistent, since she is portrayed as rebellious and free spirited (e.g. sex positive, unapologetically vocal) while simultaneously filling the archetypal woman’s role (desirable prize for beauty/sex, worries dutifully for her men, etc.).The fact that she ends up married and pregnant makes me emotionally unwell.
Excessive descriptions bog down the pacing of the book, making it a much slower read. However, the descriptions of nature do a wonderful job of showing the author’s love and respect for the land, making the reader sympathetic to the gang’s cause and absorbed in the beautiful country which is the main reason behind the book. Also, the little flashes into each character’s headspace are enjoyable for the complexity of emotion and personality they convey. The writing is at times genuinely funny and thought-provoking.
Bonnie Abzug is a decent attempt at a woman written by a man in the 70s. Her characterization is a bit inconsistent, since she is portrayed as rebellious and free spirited (e.g. sex positive, unapologetically vocal) while simultaneously filling the archetypal woman’s role (desirable prize for beauty/sex, worries dutifully for her men, etc.).
Excessive descriptions bog down the pacing of the book, making it a much slower read. However, the descriptions of nature do a wonderful job of showing the author’s love and respect for the land, making the reader sympathetic to the gang’s cause and absorbed in the beautiful country which is the main reason behind the book. Also, the little flashes into each character’s headspace are enjoyable for the complexity of emotion and personality they convey. The writing is at times genuinely funny and thought-provoking.