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
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