A review by its_kievan
The Power by Naomi Alderman

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The writing is absolutely flawless. Alderman does an incredible job of mixing poetic prose with some of the most brutal scenes I've ever read, and the story as a whole is just incredibly affecting. Where it falls flat is Alderman's attempt to merge a philosophic treatise on gender roles in society with a sci-fi novel about women getting superpowers. The sci-fi lessens the impact of the gender commentary, and the commentary means that a lot of the stuff around politics and war feels underdeveloped and shallow. However, this is a still a really well-written book, and in my opinion it's one that everyone should read at least once in their lives. 
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