I was initially really intrigued to read this book as I love the author and the book cover and title really caught my eye. I didn’t really know what to expect going in though and I’m still unsure about my feelings now that I’ve read it either. This book leaves a lot to be desired.
The novel tells the story of a group of University friends that set about changing the world. The largely female friendship group consider that patriarchal society has failed and that there are clear indicators that a matriarchal society is preferable.
Changes begin to happen following the pandemic and then a nuclear world war 3 which is only briefly touched upon. As the time comes to rebuild society the main character Dana steps up to PM.
This story is told from two viewpoints, that of a guy called Art who fell in love with Dana at University and still does despite being married to a woman who she chose for him. The second is Victoria, a once pop star who suffered abuse and sexual violence in her relationship with her manager and through Dana turns her life around, using her music as propaganda.
The story is told both in the characters present and through their memory's of 'the quickening'.
This book is akin to Brave New World and The Handmaids Tale in that it's a horribly depressing but interesting and engaging read.
I am glad the author makes it clear in the book that the characters are not feminists... Because the women in charge in this book are clearly dangerous extremists. I was a bit disappointed that the book did not consider a rational possible future where women were in charge; at the same time this clearly was not the authors intention.
I did not find the writing style overly poetic, or particularly emotive- I did not find myself much warming to the main characters. That said this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend as a different and contemporary dystopian novel with a rather scary outlook.
The novel tells the story of a group of University friends that set about changing the world. The largely female friendship group consider that patriarchal society has failed and that there are clear indicators that a matriarchal society is preferable.
Changes begin to happen following the pandemic and then a nuclear world war 3 which is only briefly touched upon. As the time comes to rebuild society the main character Dana steps up to PM.
This story is told from two viewpoints, that of a guy called Art who fell in love with Dana at University and still does despite being married to a woman who she chose for him. The second is Victoria, a once pop star who suffered abuse and sexual violence in her relationship with her manager and through Dana turns her life around, using her music as propaganda.
The story is told both in the characters present and through their memory's of 'the quickening'.
This book is akin to Brave New World and The Handmaids Tale in that it's a horribly depressing but interesting and engaging read.
I am glad the author makes it clear in the book that the characters are not feminists... Because the women in charge in this book are clearly dangerous extremists. I was a bit disappointed that the book did not consider a rational possible future where women were in charge; at the same time this clearly was not the authors intention.
I did not find the writing style overly poetic, or particularly emotive- I did not find myself much warming to the main characters. That said this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend as a different and contemporary dystopian novel with a rather scary outlook.