grimmage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think that the ending moments of the novel sort of cemented it as more so a depressing tale of a woman living in the 19th century who is a victim of her time rather than hopeful. This is fine, as long as that sort of storyline is your thing. For me, it felt a bit odd and ill-fitting - leaving a pretty bad taste in my mouth.
I guess my biggest criticism is that I simply just found it boring, but maybe I'm being influenced by this being an assigned reading.
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Suicide and Racism
reid23's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexism
elerireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Honestly it's a book that begs to be studied and I'm not sure how to do it justice without writing a full-on essay. The title is perfect - Edna is basically sleepwalking through her life but then awakens to her own personhood and agency and starts making decisions for herself. The incomprehension and confrontation that this change evokes is a beautiful illustration of just how narrow the constraints were on 'acceptable' womanhood. It's heartbreaking because for a very short period of time she starts to experience the pure joy of being properly 'awake' and then almost immediately has to come to terms with the fact that no one else understands, and if everyone else is still beholden to the societal rules (she now sees through) and tries to enforce them on her then her newfound freedom is just an illusion anyway. At least, that's my take on it. Pretty sure I need to read some other reviews of this and then re-read it.
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Sexism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexism
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Sexism and Suicide
Moderate: Racism
foxinsocks22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide and Pregnancy
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexism, Misogyny, Mental illness, Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
elle9297's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexism and Suicide
amurray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Suicide
heidishartrandnewell's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship