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A review by battybookworm
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I struggled with this book until I switched to the audiobook format. I will say, the narration and choice of the main character still bothered me. My wish was that it was told in a first-person style directly from the women but there are elements towards the end that make sense for why it isn't told in such a way. Still, this is my main reason for scoring it lower.
Otherwise, this book was an interesting meditation and tied well with my recent watch of The Wonder (2022) with Florence Pugh. It is a lovely telling of a horrifying truth with plenty of empathy and thought put into the women represented. Finding out the author has her own history with the Mennonite faith placed the story for me a bit. It's not a great novel that arrives at any full conclusion or plot finish, but it does meditate on ideas of faith and power. I don't know how or when I'd recommend this book to anyone, I am glad I read it though, and am enjoying the process of audiobook experimentation it is continuing me on.
Otherwise, this book was an interesting meditation and tied well with my recent watch of The Wonder (2022) with Florence Pugh. It is a lovely telling of a horrifying truth with plenty of empathy and thought put into the women represented. Finding out the author has her own history with the Mennonite faith placed the story for me a bit. It's not a great novel that arrives at any full conclusion or plot finish, but it does meditate on ideas of faith and power. I don't know how or when I'd recommend this book to anyone, I am glad I read it though, and am enjoying the process of audiobook experimentation it is continuing me on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse
This book centers around the discussion of multiple real-life assaults and rapes. These rapes are deeply traumatic and disturbing in nature and are discussed in occurrences of many ages that may disturb people. There is also in-depth mention of physical abuse and the drugging procedure that is done.