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A review by auberginehayz
The Power by Naomi Alderman
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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
Audio book
I went for 3.5 stars but it was almost a 4! I would recommend it strongly but with caveats because of graphic/disturbing content.
The first two thirds of the book were amazing. Such a good concept, compelling and with scenes that were gripping and really resonated. Then it went chaotic and grim in a way that I couldn't tell if was poor pacing or meant to have that shocking and confusing effect on the reader. Then it wrapped it up nicely at the end in a reasonably satisfying, if pessimistic, way. The grim stuff was depressing because I wanted to root for some of the characters, I didn't want so many of them to end up behaving terribly. But maybe humanity would be that terrible.
I went for 3.5 stars but it was almost a 4! I would recommend it strongly but with caveats because of graphic/disturbing content.
The first two thirds of the book were amazing. Such a good concept, compelling and with scenes that were gripping and really resonated. Then it went chaotic and grim in a way that I couldn't tell if was poor pacing or meant to have that shocking and confusing effect on the reader. Then it wrapped it up nicely at the end in a reasonably satisfying, if pessimistic, way. The grim stuff was depressing because I wanted to root for some of the characters, I didn't want so many of them to end up behaving terribly. But maybe humanity would be that terrible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail