bookeared's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.5
Feels very unresolved, like the author couldn't quite decide in which direction to go with this book. The final trope muddies what was otherwise an interesting tale of the strange, oppressive day-to-day experience of a short prison sentence.
lalulena's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Mir hat das Ende nicht gefallen, war sehr abrupt. Ansonsten ein doch gutes Buch.
sonjad's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Enjoyed it, bit not the ending. Left a question mark?
alinakristin's review against another edition
4.0
Eine Zeichnung russischer Personen von unterschiedlichem (un)politischen Glauben & Werten, die Miteinander und Spaltung zugleich aufzeigt.
itsophieso's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.75
A bit too slow for me. Also all the stuff in the last few chapters seemed to come out of nowhere and didn’t really make sense imo
jesspres's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Incredible Events in Women’s Cell Number 3 follows Anya who is arrested at a rally protesting government corruption and sentenced to ten days in a detention facility. As she talks with her cell mates we learn more about all their lives which reveals many realities for Russian women generally. I also appreciated the seemingly small and subtle ways this story shone a light on official corruption. The book had an element of magical realism which I often struggle with. Initially that was the case here but when I came to see it as a metaphor for the strength and power which women held I gelled a lot more with that aspect of the book. Anya’s experience of incarceration was much less harrowing than I expected yet issues like loss of control and the capricious whims of hostile staff still took an emotional toll. I was unsure about this book going in but am really glad I gave it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Lesbophobia, and Self harm
maruesli's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mbejjani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A fun book with an entertaining cast of characters! I liked the way the events alternated between the cell and Anya’s past. And the ending was a fascinating reframe that left me thinking after finishing in a way I really enjoyed.