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A review by natlbugz
Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
4.0
A Dark Debut w/ a #METOO Gender Twist...
They say to never judge a book by its cover but I'll say that I was instantly curious & left with many questions about the alluring man in a green tracksuit. I wanted to know more about Mr. Vladimir.
CW: sexual assault, infidelity, suicide attempt, drugs, & alcohol
After finishing "Vladimir," I'm still unsure how I feel about it, lol. I rounded up and gave it 4 stars but would have been a 3.5 read, personally. I thinkkkkk I enjoyed it, but it left me with many unanswered questions and thoughts. That might have been Julia May Jonas' intention, as she mentioned in interviews that the novel is a commentary on sexuality, gender, and power.
The novel consistently intertwines these themes, especially through the unnamed main character's obsession with her appearance as a postmenopausal woman. As a college professor at a small liberal arts college, she views her sexuality and beauty as currency and power in her small-town world. She is highly egotistical and critical of her self-presentation, both at home and in public.
Jonas' decision to leave the main character unnamed adds to her sense of invisibility and powerlessness in a society focused on the beauty and potential of young women. The main character's pursuit of power and beauty through her obsession with a younger man underscores why her name isn't necessary; she feels utterly powerless on her own accord.
Without spoiling anything, the ending left me wondering if the main character had grown from her infatuation or if she was destined for another cycle of self-destructive behavior. The ending was intense, and I had to re-read it multiple times to gauge any character growth.
While I enjoyed "Vladimir," some aspects fell short. Much of the book centers around the trope of sexual & intimate relationships between professors and their students, with some uncomfy non-consensual sexual intent. Additionally, despite being a character study, the novel reveals little about the characters' backgrounds and motivations, making it hard to assess their diversity and intentions.
Nonetheless, I'm excited to see what's next for Jonas' & I have high hopes for her sophomore book.
They say to never judge a book by its cover but I'll say that I was instantly curious & left with many questions about the alluring man in a green tracksuit. I wanted to know more about Mr. Vladimir.
CW: sexual assault, infidelity, suicide attempt, drugs, & alcohol
After finishing "Vladimir," I'm still unsure how I feel about it, lol. I rounded up and gave it 4 stars but would have been a 3.5 read, personally. I thinkkkkk I enjoyed it, but it left me with many unanswered questions and thoughts. That might have been Julia May Jonas' intention, as she mentioned in interviews that the novel is a commentary on sexuality, gender, and power.
The novel consistently intertwines these themes, especially through the unnamed main character's obsession with her appearance as a postmenopausal woman. As a college professor at a small liberal arts college, she views her sexuality and beauty as currency and power in her small-town world. She is highly egotistical and critical of her self-presentation, both at home and in public.
Jonas' decision to leave the main character unnamed adds to her sense of invisibility and powerlessness in a society focused on the beauty and potential of young women. The main character's pursuit of power and beauty through her obsession with a younger man underscores why her name isn't necessary; she feels utterly powerless on her own accord.
Without spoiling anything, the ending left me wondering if the main character had grown from her infatuation or if she was destined for another cycle of self-destructive behavior. The ending was intense, and I had to re-read it multiple times to gauge any character growth.
While I enjoyed "Vladimir," some aspects fell short. Much of the book centers around the trope of sexual & intimate relationships between professors and their students, with some uncomfy non-consensual sexual intent. Additionally, despite being a character study, the novel reveals little about the characters' backgrounds and motivations, making it hard to assess their diversity and intentions.
Nonetheless, I'm excited to see what's next for Jonas' & I have high hopes for her sophomore book.