A review by edrickashay
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

An interesting concept for a dystopian book, but unfortunately lacks answers to questions leaving an unsatisfying end. I wanted this to say more about female rage and/or desire, especially as someone who was in a way raised to hate men. I’ve had to undo that teaching in myself, while coming to terms with my own boundaries, beliefs, rage, and love. This book feels more like watching girls at various ages get emotional and physically abused, and leaving them uneducated in any way except violence, with little to no character growth or arc. You have no idea what time period it is, and get no answers about the “mainland,” the other women, or even about the father-figure. It tells a flat dystopian-ish story rather than making a comment or critique about sexism, feminism, or what it feels like to be a woman in this world. I just wanted more from this. 

The writing style kept me turning page after page, leading me to finish it in basically a day, but again - the lack of answers and explanation regarding world building leaves the ending unsatisfying. The author clearly has talent for writing surreal or sublime styles, but it didn’t have enough of the concrete in this story. It isn’t too graphic, though I suggest looking up trigger warnings.
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