A review by ansyb
The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I wanted to read this book having been inspired by Angela Carter's book Heroes and Villains. However I found it a bit disappointing. Some of the imagery and writing I enjoyed, but some of it didn't really make sense to me and felt gratuitously graphic.

I found the exploration of gender and anatomical sex (portrayed as the same thing and not separate constructs) very outdated and binary, as well as some of the feminist topics. Like other reviewers have said, I found that the main narrator's point of view was from a very white and male perspective, but to the point of the irony being lost. It felt it was promoting the protagonist's point of view rather than him learning from his experiences - though others may disagree.

I felt uncomfortable reading the book as a modern reader. It didn't feel it explored intersectional themes in a way which promoted understanding or compassion for others. 
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