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A review by writervid
The Selection by Kiera Cass
2.0
1.5/5
Yeah, I know. I'm past the point where I can read books I haven't already read. It was interesting to reread this from a critical standpoint, though.
First off: the world doesn't make much sense. The caste system (excluding the obvious weight behind that term) feels...weird? The lower castes are outdoor workers, indoor workers, and then artists. Yet the second from the top caste also works in the arts in some areas? The structure seems to be there for no purpose--and the historical roots of the system don't make sense.
Aside from that, I think the concept of a Selection to boost public morale is interesting, especially considering modern responses to royalty dating "commoners." I think it's an fascinating mechanism that makes a lot of sense from a PR standpoint. However, I hate how this is tied into shaming other women. How many comments in this book are there about Celeste's breasts, or jokes about other women's formality or efforts to look pretty? Or about America's natural beauty? I've never seen the Bachelor, but it feels like creating a contest for women to compete for a man just fosters that sentiment. This book is very patriarchal.
America Singer (I also hate her name--worldbuilding wise it should have caused a lot more controversy), I've realized, represents a lot of white moderate ideas and feminism that's not FOR everyone. She says the caste system is "just the way it is," even when she's starving and the system doesn't work. She rebels against certain conventions that benefit her, like wanting to wear pants instead of dresses, but don't change the status quo at all. And, ultimately, the status quo is bad. It makes very little sense, but it's clearly not beneficial. Similarly, there's a dichotomy in this book of wanting Maxon or wanting the crown. In prioritizing Maxon (and in Maxon's lack of discussion with other girls about policy, political stances, etc.), it feels a bit like the country they're governing is less important than love.
That being said, this is commercial and I'm bored. The evolution of America and Maxon's relationship is fun enough. All I want to do is read things I don't have to think about (much) to save energy.
Yeah, I know. I'm past the point where I can read books I haven't already read. It was interesting to reread this from a critical standpoint, though.
First off: the world doesn't make much sense. The caste system (excluding the obvious weight behind that term) feels...weird? The lower castes are outdoor workers, indoor workers, and then artists. Yet the second from the top caste also works in the arts in some areas? The structure seems to be there for no purpose--and the historical roots of the system don't make sense.
Aside from that, I think the concept of a Selection to boost public morale is interesting, especially considering modern responses to royalty dating "commoners." I think it's an fascinating mechanism that makes a lot of sense from a PR standpoint. However, I hate how this is tied into shaming other women. How many comments in this book are there about Celeste's breasts, or jokes about other women's formality or efforts to look pretty? Or about America's natural beauty? I've never seen the Bachelor, but it feels like creating a contest for women to compete for a man just fosters that sentiment. This book is very patriarchal.
America Singer (I also hate her name--worldbuilding wise it should have caused a lot more controversy), I've realized, represents a lot of white moderate ideas and feminism that's not FOR everyone. She says the caste system is "just the way it is," even when she's starving and the system doesn't work. She rebels against certain conventions that benefit her, like wanting to wear pants instead of dresses, but don't change the status quo at all. And, ultimately, the status quo is bad. It makes very little sense, but it's clearly not beneficial. Similarly, there's a dichotomy in this book of wanting Maxon or wanting the crown. In prioritizing Maxon (and in Maxon's lack of discussion with other girls about policy, political stances, etc.), it feels a bit like the country they're governing is less important than love.
That being said, this is commercial and I'm bored. The evolution of America and Maxon's relationship is fun enough. All I want to do is read things I don't have to think about (much) to save energy.