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cinnamonandsoy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
I couldn't put this book down. The writing was beautiful, the characters were both likable and believable, and the plot was exciting every step of the way. I was going to give it five stars until the end... the ending was very realistic. I can't fault Erdrich for an ending like that given the plot but it was so realistic you never got answers for some really important issues. While the writing was stunning and poetic, there was a major part of the plot that was not only unresolved but extremely vague. Of course you can't know what Cedar doesn't know with it being a diary/letter but it was hard to tell what was actually happening in regards to the father of her child.
As frustrated as I was with the ending, I was genuinely interested in every character. Cedar was smart and complicated. I actually cared about the family ties and her friendships, which I usually don't. I hated Phil from the start but who could blame me? I just thought he was kind of a spineless scarecrow right away. The spider-nun was probably my favorite character and she's certainly one of the toughest, second only to Sera. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a fast-paced read and who don't mind being left in the dark a little.
I couldn't put this book down. The writing was beautiful, the characters were both likable and believable, and the plot was exciting every step of the way. I was going to give it five stars until the end... the ending was very realistic. I can't fault Erdrich for an ending like that given the plot but it was so realistic you never got answers for some really important issues. While the writing was stunning and poetic, there was a major part of the plot that was not only unresolved but extremely vague. Of course you can't know what Cedar doesn't know with it being a diary/letter but it was hard to tell what was actually happening in regards to the father of her child.
As frustrated as I was with the ending, I was genuinely interested in every character. Cedar was smart and complicated. I actually cared about the family ties and her friendships, which I usually don't. I hated Phil from the start but who could blame me? I just thought he was kind of a spineless scarecrow right away. The spider-nun was probably my favorite character and she's certainly one of the toughest, second only to Sera. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a fast-paced read and who don't mind being left in the dark a little.
jamogo's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. IMO, the weak link in the story is the vagueness around the biological de-evolution event, but overall excellent characters and storytelling. 4.5 ⭐️
jackie_english's review against another edition
1.0
I really did not like this book. I was so intrigued from he description I read and the book fell so short of that interesting description. It is one of those books where you keep waiting for something to happen and it never happens.
pmovereem's review against another edition
4.0
Not your typical Erdrich novel—but well worth it. Folds in these times and moves into a somewhat familiar dystopia, but with many surprises.
northheart's review against another edition
5.0
Erdrich spins a terrifying and fascinating tale here. The Minneapolis and MN setting is a special treat.
aa2q7's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this more than I expected despite the grim premise and ending. I understand why this reminds other readers of The Handmaid's Tale, but well, the theme is infertility-driven dystopia. This is more of an individual perspective and doesn't go into the "new rules" of society as much or the reasons why humans and animals start to biologically regress.
tenthangel's review against another edition
4.0
So many parallels to Judeo-Christian themes. And then exactly who is this kid born on December 25th? Is it like the birth of John Connor, here to lead us out of doomsday? But with evolution issues instead of robots?? Is that the point of the title??? Who can say.
jannaface's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Slow start but couldn’t put it down
gtaper's review against another edition
4.0
I was initially drawn to this book because of the ultrasound on the cover. I'm always up for a good dystopian and when this book was a dystopian it was a 5 star, when it was an extended metaphor literary fiction it was a 2 star. I'm going to give it a 3.5 total because when it was good it was great.