Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Oo, Kaledoonia by Elspeth Barker

7 reviews

womangenius's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Extremely accurate depiction of what it's like to be an melancholy young girl who feels she doesn't fit in...but there's a lot of those books. It didn't give me much else to chew on. I would definitely have recommended this to a younger me. The moody Scottish Highlands setting was beautifully rendered, and adds to the whole Gothic affair. Definitely is a modern Gothic classic as advertised, if you are searching for such a vibe, you'll find it here (mid century modern, anyway). 

I don't understand why Janet died except in a figurative sense - the curmudgeonly old groundskeeper, symbol of old patriarchal Scottish society, snuffing out the young rebellious girl the exact moment she seizes some semblance of freedom. I can appreciate it in that sense but I'm just someone who prefers the events of a novel to also be grounded in a reality whose machinations have a logic to them, and Jim's random act of violence made no sense to me. "that's the point, killing her is as inconsequential to him as the rabbits he butchers for dinner☝️" Okay I don't care for me it's a three star book. Because it makes sense to butcher rabbits for dinner. Theyre not having Janet for dinner except metaphorically, as fodder for their endless snarking gossip.

However, I can see why it's so adored and it has a chance to grow on me if I stop worrying so much about realism.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thatchickengirl23's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readsbymoonlight's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mynameisrebecca's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thearchivist03's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This coming of age tale is really dark, but it's reflective. I wish the author hadn't spoiled that the main character is dead in the first few pages as I think it took away from the surprise at the end when you learn of the truth behind the murder mystery.
That being said, the prose was so beautiful. This was excellently written out, scenery and Janet'  character and her inner monologues were spelled out perfectly in feeling and in words. I wish the plot had more to it, but it does follow a person's life, which doesn't give room to be creative. It was very linear storytelling, very static, and I think that's what threw me off personally. The ending and moral of this story is dark, but it does make me think and wonder of the existence and societal responsibilities placed on children, especially the eldest. Very tragic tale, not too enjoyable and lighthearted, but thought provoking. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

feelinwitchy's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emilo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings