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A review by _sophonie_
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The first 40% of the book annoyed me. I understand this book wasn’t meant to be contemporary, but a lot of the mc abilities were unrealistic. The fact she could tell time from her heartbeat, had amazing memory, the fact that she had no education what’s so ever but being the smartest of the women she was around, as well as her unrealistic reaction to the outside world despite her being locked inside a dark place for over 12 years, having no fear. To me, all of that seemed unrealistic.
But I would admit, once they escaped, the last 60% of the book I enjoyed. I didn’t mind that there were so many unanswered questions because we were suppose to follow the story throw the main character’s pov/thought process. She as well didn’t get any answers so why should we? Although this is fiction, it felt like I was reading a memoir of a fictional character. I really enjoyed that.
But I would admit, once they escaped, the last 60% of the book I enjoyed. I didn’t mind that there were so many unanswered questions because we were suppose to follow the story throw the main character’s pov/thought process. She as well didn’t get any answers so why should we? Although this is fiction, it felt like I was reading a memoir of a fictional character. I really enjoyed that.