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nikray20 's review for:
I Who Have Never Known Men
by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh wow...this did not bode well for my existential dread. This is a HEAVY book with some really dark themes. My initial response to finishing this book was to stare at a blank wall for 30 minutes. After the unease wore off, I was able to go back and analyze more clearly; Jacqueline's writing is a beautiful balance between light and dark, hope and despair.
Grappling with purposelessness, isolation, and obscurity, the main character narrates her life through a written account. This book completely engulfed me from start to finish. I typically don't enjoy ambiguous endings, but this one felt right. The ambiguity is intentional, and the story's main themes would not be as impactful otherwise. Even with the intense nihilistic undertone, Jacqueline still manages to sprinkle in hope—despite the total deprivation of their humanity, the characters persevere, creating their own meaning and place in the world.
This book thoroughly questions the meaning of humanity, yet never reaches any sort of conclusion—which, I think, is the point. We may never know the purpose of our existence, but that doesn't stop us from living deeply and crafting complex lives.
Grappling with purposelessness, isolation, and obscurity, the main character narrates her life through a written account. This book completely engulfed me from start to finish. I typically don't enjoy ambiguous endings, but this one felt right. The ambiguity is intentional, and the story's main themes would not be as impactful otherwise. Even with the intense nihilistic undertone, Jacqueline still manages to sprinkle in hope—despite the total deprivation of their humanity, the characters persevere, creating their own meaning and place in the world.
This book thoroughly questions the meaning of humanity, yet never reaches any sort of conclusion—which, I think, is the point. We may never know the purpose of our existence, but that doesn't stop us from living deeply and crafting complex lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness