kathryn14's review
5.0
I only wish that this was a great, big, fat novel of a story!
10/10
Favourite of the Out Of Line series (so far ...)
10/10
Favourite of the Out Of Line series (so far ...)
anjadevries's review
3.0
Really good and intriguing but it ended a bit abruptly like there would be a follow up so would be interesting to read it if there will be. But the story line and writing was great and the characters really likeable
kandicez's review
3.0
I am a huge fan of Donoghue's style and nothing I have read by her prepared me for this little dys/utopian short. Set 40 years in the future, the residents of Earth have decided to do their part to make sure our population gets back to a manageable level. 3 billion souls or so. Think about how many people have to die for us to get there. And how many can't be born in the meantime.
This was very short, but very impactful. We aren't given enough to really grow attached to these characters, but being a mother myself I can sympathize and that was enough to let me really enjoy the read.
Donoghue's description of pregnancy and it's after effects was priceless!
This was very short, but very impactful. We aren't given enough to really grow attached to these characters, but being a mother myself I can sympathize and that was enough to let me really enjoy the read.
Donoghue's description of pregnancy and it's after effects was priceless!
readingistravel's review
5.0
An interesting read.
Loved the futuristic setting. The story was fantastic, and showed what could or might be. Though I doubt if it would actually happen
Loved the futuristic setting. The story was fantastic, and showed what could or might be. Though I doubt if it would actually happen
chrstnareads's review
5.0
I really loved this. I wanted it to keep going when I got to the end. That's a short story for you, I guess. This one was another speculative fiction in the "Out of Line" series on Amazon. In a world where having children is reserved only for the rich and the very stupid/crazy (because who in their right mind would give up comfort of living in the city, your job, and your government payments just to have a kid?) in order to keep the population low so as not to deplete resources... what if you found that you just really still wanted to have a baby? I really like the clandestine conversations between the characters, where they found companionship with an otherwise stranger. These conversations turned into pros and cons, into hypothetical logistics. It is a fun thought experiment as it takes place not too far in the future, and I really enjoyed it.
geesammy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
2.25
Interesting premise but not for me
noodlesniebauer's review
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
anotherbritinthewall's review
4.0
It's doing a lot for such a short story; exploring classism and climate change and the concept of freedom within a, finally, quite equal society. It's funny because, yeah, it's a dystopia including brainwashing and suppression but also it has elements of utopia to it - frankly it's a shame it's only a short story, I'd really like to know more about the world Donoghue has built here.
olivialucy's review
5.0
Such a great short story that illuminates some of the issues faced by women. I love how the author used the backdrop of the future to show how women really get the raw end of the deal with contraception and child birth. Truly a great, very short, read.
cher_n_books's review
3.0
3 stars = Good and worthwhile but something held it back from being great..
I’ve always thought it odd that despite our planet being overpopulated with over twice as many people as is ideal for the health of Earth, that governments do not offer any incentive to their citizens to encourage them to choose not to have children. Of course, that pesky dollar often gets in the way of doing what is right…
This is the first book I have read that actually did have this type of world and the author did a great job of explaining how it would work logically, and based off of current scientific data. I enjoyed spending an hour in this story and watching the heroine work through her own priorities and desires. Even though she chose the opposite path that I would have, it was still interesting and enjoyable to follow along.
It’s short length held it back, as it feels mildly rushed and obviously cannot reach the depths of a fully fleshed out story that a novel or even novella would offer. I’d love to hear about other books if you know of any, that are based in similar worlds where most people choose to not have children due to overpopulation and government incentives.
-------------------------------------------
First Sentence: A few of us from Global Care were lunching out to celebrate our Spring Dividend.
Favorite Quote: “You’d become pregnant.” “Got it.” (Dry-mouthed.) “This would likely lead to a cascade of physical, emotional, and mental changes over the next approximately forty weeks. Normal symptoms of pregnancy include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, excess saliva, increased urination, bloating, mood swings, cramping, hunger, constipation, food aversions and cravings, indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, lines on skin—” The list was filling me with rising panic. “—nasal congestion, extreme weight gain, swelling of hands and feet, vaginal discharge, faintness, energy fluctuations, varicose veins, cysts, urinary blockage, alterations in sex drive, back pain, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping.” “Jesus!” How had any woman ever gone through this? But I reminded myself that it was like the list of possible side effects on every medication package; they wouldn’t all happen every time. The Headpiece rolled on: “Then there are complications, which can include anemia, nutritional deficiency, urinary tract infections, depression, blood clots, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stroke, and death in labor.” That left me speechless. “After birth, you might continue to suffer long-term or permanent pelvic widening, flattened and enlarged feet, skin striations and scarring, labial deformation, stress incontinence, increased risk of heart failure, and changes to brain structure.” “Brain structure?” I repeated, incredulous. She answered: “Shrinkage of gray matter associated with social activities such as conversation. These phenomena may be caused or worsened by the stresses of caring for an infant, which include sleep deprivation, social isolation, loss of partner intimacy, and logistical and financial burdens.”
I’ve always thought it odd that despite our planet being overpopulated with over twice as many people as is ideal for the health of Earth, that governments do not offer any incentive to their citizens to encourage them to choose not to have children. Of course, that pesky dollar often gets in the way of doing what is right…
This is the first book I have read that actually did have this type of world and the author did a great job of explaining how it would work logically, and based off of current scientific data. I enjoyed spending an hour in this story and watching the heroine work through her own priorities and desires. Even though she chose the opposite path that I would have, it was still interesting and enjoyable to follow along.
It’s short length held it back, as it feels mildly rushed and obviously cannot reach the depths of a fully fleshed out story that a novel or even novella would offer. I’d love to hear about other books if you know of any, that are based in similar worlds where most people choose to not have children due to overpopulation and government incentives.
-------------------------------------------
First Sentence: A few of us from Global Care were lunching out to celebrate our Spring Dividend.
Favorite Quote: “You’d become pregnant.” “Got it.” (Dry-mouthed.) “This would likely lead to a cascade of physical, emotional, and mental changes over the next approximately forty weeks. Normal symptoms of pregnancy include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, excess saliva, increased urination, bloating, mood swings, cramping, hunger, constipation, food aversions and cravings, indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, lines on skin—” The list was filling me with rising panic. “—nasal congestion, extreme weight gain, swelling of hands and feet, vaginal discharge, faintness, energy fluctuations, varicose veins, cysts, urinary blockage, alterations in sex drive, back pain, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping.” “Jesus!” How had any woman ever gone through this? But I reminded myself that it was like the list of possible side effects on every medication package; they wouldn’t all happen every time. The Headpiece rolled on: “Then there are complications, which can include anemia, nutritional deficiency, urinary tract infections, depression, blood clots, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stroke, and death in labor.” That left me speechless. “After birth, you might continue to suffer long-term or permanent pelvic widening, flattened and enlarged feet, skin striations and scarring, labial deformation, stress incontinence, increased risk of heart failure, and changes to brain structure.” “Brain structure?” I repeated, incredulous. She answered: “Shrinkage of gray matter associated with social activities such as conversation. These phenomena may be caused or worsened by the stresses of caring for an infant, which include sleep deprivation, social isolation, loss of partner intimacy, and logistical and financial burdens.”