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A review by eve_reads
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The greater metaphor of this book (dragons representing repressed women and their rage/desires in the 1950s) is at times just too simplistic. I understand that, in part, some of the extremer parts of the metaphor are meant to be ridiculous as a means of cathartic release. Still, I also I don't think the text leaves much room for nuance or intersectionality, and at times makes points that are contradictory to the feminist movement it is trying to support/aid.
⁕ The plot meanders a lot, especially in the first half of the book. In an attempt to convey Alex's youth and ignorance, there is a lot of ambiguous language and unclear developments regarding both the larger political climate she exists in and her own home life. To some extent this would have been fine, but it felt too muddled and it affected the pacing of the story severely.
⁕ The strongest, most beautiful part of this entire novel is not the larger socio-political themes, but the development of Alex's relationship with her sister. Her struggle to care for her sister, to balance her own needs and ambitions with her sister's, and, eventually, to share her sister with others, was so incredibly touching. I would have read the book without any dragons involved just for that alone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The greater metaphor of this book (dragons representing repressed women and their rage/desires in the 1950s) is at times just too simplistic. I understand that, in part, some of the extremer parts of the metaphor are meant to be ridiculous as a means of cathartic release. Still, I also I don't think the text leaves much room for nuance or intersectionality, and at times makes points that are contradictory to the feminist movement it is trying to support/aid.
⁕ The plot meanders a lot, especially in the first half of the book. In an attempt to convey Alex's youth and ignorance, there is a lot of ambiguous language and unclear developments regarding both the larger political climate she exists in and her own home life. To some extent this would have been fine, but it felt too muddled and it affected the pacing of the story severely.
⁕ The strongest, most beautiful part of this entire novel is not the larger socio-political themes, but the development of Alex's relationship with her sister. Her struggle to care for her sister, to balance her own needs and ambitions with her sister's, and, eventually, to share her sister with others, was so incredibly touching. I would have read the book without any dragons involved just for that alone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Misogyny, Cancer, and Death of parent