jojosbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Or somewhere inbetween 2 and 3 stars...
Blindly went into this expecting a thrilling H.G. Wells Sci-fi (bearing in mind I've never actually read anything from him before so what really are these expectations based on?) and was given a half-entertaining proto feminist novel. And somehow the New Woman feminist movement is made to be more of a plot device than a profound, self-realizing cause. So there's that.
Oo I like that it was narrated by Bill Nighy on BBC Sounds. But that's less to do with the book and more to do with Bill Nighy
Blindly went into this expecting a thrilling H.G. Wells Sci-fi (bearing in mind I've never actually read anything from him before so what really are these expectations based on?) and was given a half-entertaining proto feminist novel. And somehow the New Woman feminist movement is made to be more of a plot device than a profound, self-realizing cause. So there's that.
Oo I like that it was narrated by Bill Nighy on BBC Sounds. But that's less to do with the book and more to do with Bill Nighy
therookerybookery's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amavi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I can partially appreciate this for the themes it explored at the time, but you could really tell it was written by a man
sophiewoz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the social commentary was interesting
beccakatie's review
4.0
This certainly wasn't what I was expecting from H.G. Wells but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ann Veronica was a well written character, with depth that made her likeable to the reader. Her personal development, particularly during times of difficulty, was very well written, and the male characters she was set against made me like her all the more. She is roundly capable of fighting back against misogyny, but has a lot more to offer the reader than her simply being a dedicated suffragette. The reader is firmly on her side, and many of the discussions they have in the book are still relevant to today's society, such as the economic position of women, male attitudes, potential cross gender friendships and the relationship between a parent and child. That these subjects still affect people today helps the book maintain relevancy and enables the reader to feel even more sympathetic to Ann Veronica, as many can understand her struggle
themararose's review against another edition
4.0
3.75-4
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
themodvictorian's review against another edition
2.0
In many ways, a wonderful little book with a lot to offer. It would make for a fantastic group discussion. I found myself highlighting and writing notes often. I thought there was a lot of truth in the sentiments toward the beginning of the novel, but it all sort of fell apart for me about midway.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
chapman's review against another edition
4.0
While some elements of the book may seem a little dated, it was not so long ago that women did not have the vote and ironically, the better off your family, the more dependent and restricted a girl would be.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.