jo_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Death, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage
katewhite77's review
- 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
5.0
Shamefully my first Atwood in decades. I now know what all the fuss is about as she can certainly write beautifully and I won't be leaving it so long before trying some more of her work.
This novel is based on true historical events and tells the story of Grace Marks an infamous murderess (or was she!) of the 19th century.
I certainly learnt a lot about religious beliefs and practices of the time and the changing attitudes towards mental illness.
However I did find some aspects of the sub plot a little hard to believe but maybe that was all part of Atwood's plan to add an extra layer of very dark humour to the story. I will leave it up to you, the potential future reader to decide.
Moderate: Mental illness and Misogyny
belial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
But credit where credit is due, Atwood is an excellent writer and I like the style of writing she chose for this book.
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Murder
katievh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Moderate: Infidelity, Drug abuse, Classism, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Confinement
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Body shaming
afterlife'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Misogyny
g_monaghan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
alix_the_book_witch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Murder, and Misogyny
alannah_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pet Theory for this book: MARY WHITNEY ISN'T REAL
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization