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thepizzasmeow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
spaceyyycasey's review against another edition
5.0
i cannot think of words that will do this book justice. it is something everyone should read, but shouldn't have to exist. Drakulic portrays atrocities in a way that isn't exploitative, while still remaining truthful to the experiences of survivors. it's hard to call a book like this "my favorite," but it's the easiest way i can describe a book that was profoundly impactful from start to finish
shooshmack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
This book counts towards the Book Riot Read Harder 2019 Challenge task #10: a translated book written by a woman
4.5 stars.
Ooof. Let me process this one. More thoughts later.
S. is set in the early 90's during the Serbia/Bosnia conflict. S. is a teacher living in a village when soldiers gather her and other villagers up and bus them to a camp where the women are separated from the men. Some of the women are separated even further into the 'Women's Room' where they are at the disposal of the soldiers to do with what they will.
This book was powerful. It highlights the issues women and girls face during wartime when captured by "the enemy"...sexual assault, rape, torture. The women for the most part were in shock with their circumstances and became focused on self-preservation. While this definitely wasn't a light read I am very glad that I read it. I'm not afraid to admit that I got emotional at the ending.
warning: this book is not for anyone who may be triggered by discussion of sexual assault and rape.
4.5 stars.
Ooof. Let me process this one. More thoughts later.
S. is set in the early 90's during the Serbia/Bosnia conflict. S. is a teacher living in a village when soldiers gather her and other villagers up and bus them to a camp where the women are separated from the men. Some of the women are separated even further into the 'Women's Room' where they are at the disposal of the soldiers to do with what they will.
This book was powerful. It highlights the issues women and girls face during wartime when captured by "the enemy"...sexual assault, rape, torture. The women for the most part were in shock with their circumstances and became focused on self-preservation. While this definitely wasn't a light read I am very glad that I read it. I'm not afraid to admit that I got emotional at the ending.
warning: this book is not for anyone who may be triggered by discussion of sexual assault and rape.
genesisreads's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
forlornromant1c's review against another edition
3.5
The story was truly devastating. the horrors that these women and girls faced at the hands of the soldiers truly made me sick to my stomach, which is not something easily achievable for me.
I did have moments where I really disliked S, like in the women's room where she just assumes that the other women won't understand her motives behind wearing makeup because they're uneducated, or how self-righteous she came off while looking down on the women and girls who didn't keep kids that were results of rape, as if she is better for deciding to tell her son the truth about his origins eventually.
The writing at times irked me with its lack of quotation marks, or italics to represent thoughts. There were also some typos and odd spacing. But the story was good and short enough that I managed to overlook it.
All in all, I'm glad I read this even though it's quite different from what I usually read.
I did have moments where I really disliked S, like in the women's room where she just assumes that the other women won't understand her motives behind wearing makeup because they're uneducated, or how self-righteous she came off while looking down on the women and girls who didn't keep kids that were results of rape, as if she is better for deciding to tell her son the truth about his origins eventually.
The writing at times irked me with its lack of quotation marks, or italics to represent thoughts. There were also some typos and odd spacing. But the story was good and short enough that I managed to overlook it.
All in all, I'm glad I read this even though it's quite different from what I usually read.
ophelia98's review against another edition
5.0
As I started to read about Darfur, it reminded me of this book. The imagary of the camp, the women, the rapes...again, it stirs emotions and reactions that you are able to protect yourself from when you see a snapshot on the news..this, like "Dear America," creates images so disturbing that you can't avoid feeling as though you are with her; smelling, feeling and seeing the horror that she is living. Mel, this is going on your list.
arissashepherd7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5