#summer books
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Rating: 10/10
This is only the second 10/10 rating I have ever given on this blog about a book, and it is undeniably well deserved. Previously when reading other book reviews, I never understood how a book could be ‘breathtaking’ and deemed it an altogether ridiculous phrase to describe a book. Until I read 'The Power’.
I think the best thing about this book and what made it so spectacular, was the fact that I knew nothing about the storyline and bought it based on the fact that I had just finished reading Margaret Atwood’s 'The Handmaids Tale’ when this one popped up as 'like The Hunger Games and The Handmaids Tale combined’ and knew that I had to get my hands on a copy.
To try and preserve the 'surprise’ if you like, I’ll try to make my summary of the plot as general as possible, but enough to convince you that this book is an absolute masterpiece. The narrative follows a society much like today’s, but where women discover that they have all the power, and almost overnight men are cast out and realise that their power has been diminished to nothing. The novel flicks between four different characters, all located across the world in varying countries, documenting the spread of power and rise of women - Tunde, Margot, Roxy and Allie. These four characters all experience different situations and use the power to both their advantage, but sometimes to their detriment.
I can’t stress enough how thrilling and gripping this book is, because I was absolutely spellbound by it. I read it in a day and a half and couldn’t put it down, because at the end of every chapter you are left on a cliffhanger that leaves you gasping for answers and closure.
This novel is so powerful and articulated; it highlights certain elements of our society that are dark and evil, and it is so interesting to see circumstances that some women face reversed and transferred onto men. An utterly incredible novel that I know I am going to be raving about for years to come and recommending it to everyone that I meet - this is definitely a copy that is going to be on my bookshelf until I’m an old woman, and one that I know I will read and re-read for years to come.
Like I said previously, this is only the second 10/10 rating that I have ever given a book on my blog since starting it a year ago, so full ratings are not ones that I give lightly or very often because I make sure that I am critical and honest when I review books, because at the end of the day, the reason people read my reviews is for an honest opinion on a book - so that’s what I give. But if there’s one thing you should take away from this review, it’s that you HAVE to read this book.
Not only is is phenomenally written and very cleverly put together and structured, it highlights hidden and clear injustices within our society that we don’t talk about or consider closely enough - from rape to FGM, Alderman uses this book as a beacon for change by reversing issues that women face onto men and accentuates the importance of tackling these issues among readers.
This novel is wholly deserving of its 10/10 rating and is one that I hope after reading this review, you will go out and get your hands on, because not only does Alderman perfectly create a dystopian world wrapped in satire, she also artfully brings forward the struggles of women around the world. An absolute must read and a book that I will cherish for years to come. Please please please go and read this book!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
To celebrate me reaching 30k on my book blog, I decided to host this giveaway as a thank you to all my followers who helped me get here! These hardback books have all kindly been sent to me by the publishers, most of which are new to shelves this month! The books in the giveaway consist of:
- Madame Bovary of the Suburbs by Sophie Divry, being published 27/7/17.
- The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan.
- The Girl Who Climbed Everest by Bonita Norris, being published 13/7/17.
- Evening Primrose by Kopano Matlwa, being published 27/7/17.
Conditions of Entry:
- Follow my blog (if you don’t already).
- Reblog this post.
- Comment the book title you’re looking forward to reading most!
The closing date for this giveaway is the 11th of August 2017, so you have four weeks from today to apply. The winner will be chosen at random and the giveaway is open to anyone as I am happy to post the four books worldwide. Good Luck!
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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Rating: 9/10
Set in a dystopian world and military dictatorship called the Republic of Gilead, the novel explores themes such as censorship, oppression and rebellion; a society where women have extremely limited freedoms and are assigns ‘roles’ such as being an Agatha – a cook and house servant or Handmaid – to provide children for powerful households through ‘the ceremony’ whereby Housemaids have sex with the male head of the household with his wife present due to the decrease in births as a result of sexually transmitted diseases.
Religious fanaticism is an undertone that runs throughout the novel, with the regime having doctored the Old Testament to legitimise and empower their cause. The narrator Offred is a Handmaid and often flicks between past and present events as well as memories throughout the novel to allows the reader to have insight into the events leading up to the patriarchal takeover. Events such as the burning of lingerie due to their ‘hyper sexualisation’ of women and the new view that the female body must be covered at all times with exposure leading to execution. In the new regime, women are robbed of many basic rights such as the freedom of speech, banned from talking to anyone outside of their household and reading.
I absolutely loved this book, it was such an interesting read and the way the novel is structured means that you are constantly drip fed new information from how the Republic was established and Offred’s life Pre-Gilead with her husband and daughter. This is one of the few books that I would definitely read again and again because the concept and execution are so captivating that you can’t help but be enticed and drawn in by it. To me the novel echoes satire of politics and social constructs in the 1980’s at the time of Atwood’s writing and can be critically analysed through feminism, politics, sociology and the hierarchal structure of society – more specifically regarding the patriarchy.
Overall this was an intensely captivating and interesting read that I can’t recommend highly enough. Deserving of 9/10 because I really really enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end! I definitely will be reading it again, and you should definitely give it a try if you’re looking for something that’s going to get you thinking this summer!
Make sure to check out my giveaway ending 11th August if you haven’t already!
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Vigaro Modern Classics 40th Editions - celebrating female writers ✨
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
Rating: 8/10
I was really torn on what to score this one, somewhere between 7 and 8 but I settled on 8/10 when I remembered how much this book touched me and left me feeling even weeks after I’d finished
For those that haven’t read the book or seen the movie, this novel is a beautiful story about a summer romance between two men that touches both of their lives so deeply and how they developed such a strong love for each other. This book came to me at a time in my life where I had recently ended a relationship and it was such a great book to help with the healing and emotional process that I was going through. The story follows the life of Elio, a young boy who’s parents host an academic each year at their summer home in Italy to stay with them and work on their work, and along comes Oliver. The relationship between Oliver and Elio is one built on stolen glances and rooted in suppressed desire; reading the way in which these two characters interact with one another, as well as how they struggle to come to terms with both their feelings and denial is one that is not only gripping, but beautiful.
The way Aichman depicts this story between the two men is so touching and had such a lasting impact on me - I found myself thinking over different passages and interactions in the days and weeks following finishing the book. Without spoiling too much for those who are yet to experience Call Me By Your name in some capacity, the book really does communicate this idea of ‘the forbidden love’ as well as the element of true love as a reality.
This book was both painful to read, as well as a complete pleasure. The way Aichman describes Italy as a place, as well as the hidden references to mythology and literary classics made this such a joy thread - funny, clever, considerate and at times downright scandalous. I don’t think I’ve read a modern novel quite like it before.
A gorgeous story that’s skilfully written and allows for complete escapism and emersion into the love story between Elio and Oliver - and the ending completely shattered my heart. A must read for any hopeless romantics, or even those looking to get lost in a wonderful journey of navigating love.
Absolutely loved the Netflix adaptation of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. I need to read the third in the series now!
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“He has to know he’s important to someone. That someone cares about him.”- Goodbye Christopher Robin
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Found a vintage looking Through the Looking Glass and decided to group all my wonderland-themed books together
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- As I Lay Frying
- To Grill a Mockingbird
- Eleanor and Water Park
- Sands and Sensibility
- A Song of Ice cream and Fireworks
- David Coppertone
- Tequila Mockingbird
- Lord of the Fly Swatters
- Extremely Hot & Incredibly Sweaty
- Fan, girl
- The Great Gnatsby
- SPF 451
- Waterslide Down
- Hop on Popsicle
- Romeo and Orange Julius
- Girl Waits with Water Gun
- All the Lightning Bugs We Cannot See
(more tweets here)
Photo: Vox / Javier Zarracina
In honor of National Book Lovers Day, seven independent bookstores from across the country gave Vox’s Constance Grady their pick for the best summer read.
With their recommendations in hand, go forth and read.
- The Changeling, by Victor LaValle
- Kingdom Cons, by Yuri Herrera
- Since I Laid My Burden Down, by Brontez Purnell
- The Sarah Book, by Scott McClanahan
- Like a Fading Shadow, by Antonio Muñoz Molina
- In a Lonely Place, by Dorothy B. Hughes
- The Book of Disquiet, by Fernando Pessoa
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ICYMI: We had some pretty great books come out this summer. Seen any of these bad boys in the wild?
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A fraction of Wes’s brain wants to finally tell Nico. Confess everything. But what good will it do him? His life’s collapsing. And telling Nico how confused he is about his future and being an adult, how he’s splintering now that his home is being taken away, and that he’s mind-numbingly in love with Nico won’t solve anything.
Wes Hudson excels at two things: slacking off at his job, and pining after his best friend. This summer is going to change everything.
Pre-Order The Summer of Everything NOW!
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