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ema_austeja 's review for:
Foe
by J.M. Coetzee
The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because after I finished I read summaries and analyses of it (because I wanted to understand why the fuck I was forced to read this for class), and I do have to say the whole 'silenced' thing and taking back narrative idea is brilliant (khem khem historical silences by Trouillot is my bias). But the way it's executed is just... no
If the author wanted to take back the narrative for the marginalized/oppressed (aka Friday), why then infantilize him throughout the WHOLE book? The way the MC was describing Friday was disturbing at the least, and we are just supposed to forgive her for that because she recognized his innate need for freedom? (aka the bare minimum). I am just going to leave this here:
"Hitherto I had given to Friday's life as little thought as I would have a dog's or any other dumb beast's - less, indeed, for I had a horror of his mutilated state which made me shut him from my mind, and flinch away when he came near me."
Yeah... The 'mutilated' state was him not having a tongue.
Then there is incest. Like I get it, you see a look-alike of your missing daughter. You kiss her because some people in some cultures do that. You could have stopped here and it would have been fine-ish. WHY did you have to continue to compare this kiss to one of the lover's?? YUCK.
The writing is outright bad. There is no hook, writing style changes in between chapters based on the author's wim, it is not enjoyable, and the ending is confusing as fuck but not in a good way.
"I understand, that is to say, why a man will choose to be a slaveowner. Do you think less of me for this confession?"
Yes, girl. Yes, I do.
If the author wanted to take back the narrative for the marginalized/oppressed (aka Friday), why then infantilize him throughout the WHOLE book? The way the MC was describing Friday was disturbing at the least, and we are just supposed to forgive her for that because she recognized his innate need for freedom? (aka the bare minimum). I am just going to leave this here:
"Hitherto I had given to Friday's life as little thought as I would have a dog's or any other dumb beast's - less, indeed, for I had a horror of his mutilated state which made me shut him from my mind, and flinch away when he came near me."
Yeah... The 'mutilated' state was him not having a tongue.
Then there is incest. Like I get it, you see a look-alike of your missing daughter. You kiss her because some people in some cultures do that. You could have stopped here and it would have been fine-ish. WHY did you have to continue to compare this kiss to one of the lover's?? YUCK.
The writing is outright bad. There is no hook, writing style changes in between chapters based on the author's wim, it is not enjoyable, and the ending is confusing as fuck but not in a good way.
"I understand, that is to say, why a man will choose to be a slaveowner. Do you think less of me for this confession?"
Yes, girl. Yes, I do.