A review by octopus_farmer
The Power by Naomi Alderman

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was gripping to read, especially with the frame narratives of the letters and the "artifacts". I also liked how it avoided gender essentialism in the violence and horror of the story. I hadn't expected quite so many
rape attempts,
but it made a sort of sense for the discussion of gendered violence at hand, and
the failed attempts did make the last rape in the refugee camp much more horrific.
I don't know if I'll read it again. I certainly wouldn't recommend this as a light-hearted speculative book. 
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