A review by frogcopter
Tamara Drewe by Posy Simmonds

4.0

I read this as a story about the various ways in which women are forced into stereotyped roles and then punished and derided for doing so. It worries me that no one else seems to be reading it that way? I never read the Hardy original, which might give insight into how much is him and how much is Posy, what is cultural critique and what is problematic caricature. But I enjoyed it. I think you have to go out on a limb and be compassionate and understanding towards Tamara, since we don't get a lot to work with regarding her motivations. If you take other character's characterizations of her at face value, then it's hugely problematic-- I *think* that's the point??