beanjoles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Factually and historically, it's an informative and interesting book. I enjoyed learning about the lives of everyday people during this time period, particularly that of the German resistance. And I'm actually glad Follett didn't attempt to write heavily about or from the perspective of someone in a concentration camp — it would have been hard for him to do respectfully yet realistically.
That's actually my primary criticism of this book: lack of respectful and realistic representation. Having read the entire Kingsbridge series and now two of the Century of Giants trilogy, I am simply BEGGING Ken to learn how to write a woman character. I cannot describe how irritated I was reading about Carla's experience
Ken's treatment of queer people is better, although
I remain baffled that Ken has been married multiple times to women, because the sex scenes always feel so weird. This criticism applies for all his previous books that I've read, and I'm unsure how he's managed to never improve them over the years. I guess when the books sell, why bother. The descriptions of bodies and acts can feel a bit schoolboyish. Why do I need to know the size of each woman character's bush and breasts? The male characters never get this treatment. (Not that I want them to!)
I think this all boils down to Ken's inherent difficulty relating with the female characters he writes. To his credit, he does try to have them engage with the feminism topics du jour, and sometimes he achieves meaningful commentary and true-to-life reactions. But (many) other times his writing resembles that tongue-in-cheek meme about Cassandra "breasting boobily to the stairs." It's a real weakness for all of his work, and Winter of the World represented a particular low for me. I get the impression that Ken thinks making a woman character smart and strong makes up for being unable to meaningfully write about their motivations and emotional landscapes. That approach rarely pays off, and despite their intricacy and historical value, his books are worse off for it.
I'll continue on in the series because for me, the historically-grounded and well-researched stories are still worthwhile. But I could really do without the sophomoric romances between shallow characters. Here's hoping the next one is less cringe in that department.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, War, Police brutality, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Abortion
Heaviest possible content warning possible for rape. This is not a triggering topic I'm particularly sensitive to, but I was still a bit nauseated by the writing.morsa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Vomit, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Child death
cathy_alice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Medical content, Physical abuse, War, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Genocide, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Police brutality, and Racism
lizzyfields's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Rape, War, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Genocide and Infidelity
motivationsloch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Murder, Miscarriage, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, War, Violence, Slavery, and Rape
Moderate: Torture, Outing, and Infertility
Minor: Abortion and Suicide