A review by katrinarose
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really struggle to rate this book. It is one of the most depressing, bleak, hopeless books I’ve ever read but it also drew me in and wouldn’t let go. I really liked the writing style and how the author was able to say so much with so little. If you read the summary and immediately just want to know why they were imprisoned - do not read this book. This is not plot-driven, it is almost entirely philosophical and driven by the narrator’s internal narrative. If this still sounds appealing, I’d say it’s definitely worth the read, but I can’t say I loved it.
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