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A review by reebuttercup
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An Untamed State is beautifully written. It is a masterclass in jumping back and forth in time to describe characters' experiences and mental states in what is termed the "before" and "after". The story describes the worst that could happen to a woman (or anyone who finds themselves in such a situation) so be prepared for intense triggers.
However, very few reviewers include "hopeful" as a mood for this book. Even though I understand why, I could not help but feel the hope in Mireille (the kidnapped protagonist). She herself thinks that she is giving up but every step of the way she makes decisions that increase her chances of going back to her family. I do not think this is a spoiler (after all we are told from the beginning that there is an "after") and I feel it needs to be highlighted for readers who might shy away from reading this book because of the difficult issues mentioned.
This is ultimately about finding mental gumption in the face of the extreme adversity and Roxane Gay handled it masterfully.
However, very few reviewers include "hopeful" as a mood for this book. Even though I understand why, I could not help but feel the hope in Mireille (the kidnapped protagonist). She herself thinks that she is giving up but every step of the way she makes decisions that increase her chances of going back to her family. I do not think this is a spoiler (after all we are told from the beginning that there is an "after") and I feel it needs to be highlighted for readers who might shy away from reading this book because of the difficult issues mentioned.
This is ultimately about finding mental gumption in the face of the extreme adversity and Roxane Gay handled it masterfully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping