A review by adasterism
The Power by Naomi Alderman

challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Really interesting premise, and extremely well written, but in the end I found Alderman's message troubling. The message of the book seems to be that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and I find her analysis of gender and gender roles lacking.
Her idea that within a decade of being physically more powerful, women would be raping and pillaging men and completely reverse the present gender dynamic, doesn't actually read to me as a very nuanced take on oppressive dynamics. It doesn't take into account the fact that this "power" would still be historically situated, and the dystopia that emerges after women get the power is completely cut off from any historical basis or analysis of how gender roles come to be, and how privilege functions. While I really enjoyed the premise and the characters at the beginning, I found it really hard to suspend my disbelief when women started raping men and the gender dynamic completely reversed, and I found the ending uncompelling.
 
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