A review by taylahmay
Cunning Women by Elizabeth Lee

tense slow-paced

1.0

PLEASE NOTE: this review is for my own reflection and I in no way aim to offend with my rambling thoughts.

While the story has intriguing characters, not much is done with them. There’s a lot of teasing re the source of their magic and even the actions of the mother in the past that we never get a full explanation of. With a slow burn to start and a rush of events to end, it struggled to keep my attention and interest. 

However, the historical world that’s built is wonderful and feels well fleshed out. With historical references to day to day life, celebrations, society, and beliefs, it puts you in the environment of the story and aids understanding of the characters.

I felt let down with the end after hoping for strong character development of the main male character, just to have him half heartedly own up for a portion of his actions and simultaneously act as a martyr which seemed unnecessary. Without spoiling it, I felt there was a way for all of them to leave. Or at least have that option voiced and considered and then dashed if need be. 

My biggest gripe is the tag line of “feminist tale”. Yes, the main character is a female and it deals greatly with her station in life as a result, but the story doesn’t call negative attention on the sexism of the time or have any character voice it. Actually, the sexism and misogyny of the characters become more outspoken and dangerous towards the end. This doesn’t make the book bad, but considering I chose to read this book under the assumption I would be met with a strong female character making waves or at least having her strength make an impact, I felt doubly disappointed. I was met with
female characters turning on each other and pointing fingers, extreme jealously that turns dangerous, a matriarch who wants to protect but actually ignores all logic and pleas to place her family in direct danger and then ultimately weakens to the point of becoming a ward herself, male characters sexually assaulting female characters and getting away with it completely with no mention of their crime except the derision pointed towards the women (at least one of which is a child), and and a main character who ultimately holds her tongue in the end so as to save her family and get by in a mans world
. I think the feminist tag line is not appropriate. Actually, the more I think on it, the more I feel lied to, & the angrier I get.
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