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A review by stephibabes
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
5.0
I had to take a few days before reviewing this book. I was just so utterly spellbound by this book. Tokarczuk created a character in Janina that is very unlike so many others I have read. Our protagonist is possibly the most relatable character in literature I have come across. I am at pains to add, not in all ways! But her passionate passages about the relationship of humans towards animals I found so fortifying as a vegan.
Tokarczuk's characterisation of this older woman is both a the most idiosyncratic and (almost) admirable. Her passion put her at odds with the norms of the society she lives in. It was this I found a real connection to. Particularly her view of animals. Her solitary lifestyle means her circle of contacts and friends is very small and letting people get close is difficult. I liked the smallness and intimacy of this, even if at times it felt claustrophobic or at the other end lonely.
I kinda don't get the whole "mysterious thriller" label, and I am sure fans of that genre would maybe find this quite odd. The mystery for me wasn't really central.
There is so much more about this book and this strong feminist character I could say, but I think testament is that, although I try to keep my consumption low and light, borrow books or purchase second hand, when I was in my local independent bookshop I saw this just a couple of days after finishing it, and knew I would want to read it again and instantly purchased it.
Tokarczuk's characterisation of this older woman is both a the most idiosyncratic and (almost) admirable. Her passion put her at odds with the norms of the society she lives in. It was this I found a real connection to. Particularly her view of animals. Her solitary lifestyle means her circle of contacts and friends is very small and letting people get close is difficult. I liked the smallness and intimacy of this, even if at times it felt claustrophobic or at the other end lonely.
I kinda don't get the whole "mysterious thriller" label, and I am sure fans of that genre would maybe find this quite odd. The mystery for me wasn't really central.
There is so much more about this book and this strong feminist character I could say, but I think testament is that, although I try to keep my consumption low and light, borrow books or purchase second hand, when I was in my local independent bookshop I saw this just a couple of days after finishing it, and knew I would want to read it again and instantly purchased it.