A review by kitten_nuisance
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

1.  Comp titles are evil and should be abolished.  I get why it makes sense for marketing, in the sense of getting rid of the books in exchange for money.  But how many people are satisfied vs. disappointed or even affronted by the comp titles used???  I am more often disappointed, for sure. 
This book really has almost nothing whatsoever to do with The Handmaid’s Tale.  I think that was chosen just to get attention.  I really can’t rant and rave the way I would like about the ways in which the two VASTLY DIFFER, to the point of being near opposites, without spoiling the books.  
 
2.  I actually wanted to read this before I knew of the comp titles, so it’s not their fault alone.  This book is described as a “feminist dystopia,” but I would not really describe it as. . . either thing.  I don’t know how the genres are so far off the mark, actually.  Science fiction?  Fantasy?  Magical realism??  There is an element to why this family lives an isolated life that *may* be true as stated and explained by something. . . science fictional. . . but we don’t even really have reason to believe that’s true.  Some events in the book would lead us to believe that there actually is nothing in this world different from our own, so I guess. . . whatever.  The book didn’t feel like telling us! 
 
There are some insightful lines in the book that are written in an appealing way.  The characters are interesting, if exhausting.  Overall, though, I just don’t know that the story told here was worth my time, sad to say.  There are key facts that are revealed at weird times, or never revealed, that would really change one’s experience in reading the book. . . I’m not someone who always has to know every detail, but these are important things.  I don’t really see the point of what I read otherwise.  
I’m unfortunately feeling some big Emperor’s New Clothes energy in the critical acclaim of this book.  Granted, I am just some person.  Maybe there is big brain appeal here that I just do not get.  As a personal opinion, though, I wish the beautiful cover hadn’t been wasted on this!!
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