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The Sisterhood
2023. First Edition. 454 pages. Signed by the author. Pictorial dust jacket with blue lettering over red cloth. Clean pages with firm binding. Mild wear to spine, board edges and corners. Unclipped dust jacket. Mild wear to edges and corners, with soiling to DJ. Sticker to front & back.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 22, 2024
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Random Things Tours.
The Sisterhood is a suspenseful and truly frightening novel based on 1984 with Vox and the handmaid vibes, and the vulnerability and vivid storytelling make the book all that more believable. Told in a dystopian future world and set in London, we follow Julia, who is part of a small network of women called the Sisterhood. The small group is endlessly searching for a vigilante group called the Brotherhood and when an opportunity is presented to the group after a beloved sister is taken, Julia takes the risk involved to find this group and reach out to them to form a union. But Julia has a huge secret that tortures her every day. Her loss is somewhat bigger than most and darker. But can she find the Brotherhood and make a change, or will her dark past stop her.
This is such a twisty and mind-bending read full of shock moments, heartbreak, and vulnerability from page one. In a world becoming dependent on AI and technology, this book certainly makes you think of the direction the future could take in more than one way.
The Sisterhood is a suspenseful and truly frightening novel based on 1984 with Vox and the handmaid vibes, and the vulnerability and vivid storytelling make the book all that more believable. Told in a dystopian future world and set in London, we follow Julia, who is part of a small network of women called the Sisterhood. The small group is endlessly searching for a vigilante group called the Brotherhood and when an opportunity is presented to the group after a beloved sister is taken, Julia takes the risk involved to find this group and reach out to them to form a union. But Julia has a huge secret that tortures her every day. Her loss is somewhat bigger than most and darker. But can she find the Brotherhood and make a change, or will her dark past stop her.
This is such a twisty and mind-bending read full of shock moments, heartbreak, and vulnerability from page one. In a world becoming dependent on AI and technology, this book certainly makes you think of the direction the future could take in more than one way.
March 8, 2023
More interesting in idea than in execution
Taking an powerful, iconic and well known existing book and writing a before, after, sideways or alternative version is always a venture fraught with pitfalls. And one which rarely succeeds, as the long shadow and presence of the original often overpowers the later venture.
Only very occasionally does the alternative version prove to have its own titanic stature, able to take wing.
Off the top of my head I can only really think of a couple - Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, another feminist account of Mr Rochester’s mad wife in the attic, from Jane Eyre and Jane Smiley’s A Thousand Acres which is a far enough away transportation of the King Lear story to mid-West late twentieth century America, to make its own world. Those books both deepen the experience of the other.
In both, key is the fact that the authors are not having to slavishly reference the work which inspired them. A key idea or character is taken, and what might even be minor, or a small part of the previous work, fires the second author’s own unique voice into their completely original work
Unfortunately, The Sisterhood doesn’t come close. The early part of the book uses too much of Orwell, there are too many nods and obvious references, so that the reader (well, this reader) wanted a writer who used more of her own inventive imagination, rather than needing Orwell’s to give the whole point.
By the time that Juliet/Julia’s story really became her own and freed from Orwell’s it felt overblown, too much and lacking in credibility, particularly in the long drawn out climax section.
Taking an powerful, iconic and well known existing book and writing a before, after, sideways or alternative version is always a venture fraught with pitfalls. And one which rarely succeeds, as the long shadow and presence of the original often overpowers the later venture.
Only very occasionally does the alternative version prove to have its own titanic stature, able to take wing.
Off the top of my head I can only really think of a couple - Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, another feminist account of Mr Rochester’s mad wife in the attic, from Jane Eyre and Jane Smiley’s A Thousand Acres which is a far enough away transportation of the King Lear story to mid-West late twentieth century America, to make its own world. Those books both deepen the experience of the other.
In both, key is the fact that the authors are not having to slavishly reference the work which inspired them. A key idea or character is taken, and what might even be minor, or a small part of the previous work, fires the second author’s own unique voice into their completely original work
Unfortunately, The Sisterhood doesn’t come close. The early part of the book uses too much of Orwell, there are too many nods and obvious references, so that the reader (well, this reader) wanted a writer who used more of her own inventive imagination, rather than needing Orwell’s to give the whole point.
By the time that Juliet/Julia’s story really became her own and freed from Orwell’s it felt overblown, too much and lacking in credibility, particularly in the long drawn out climax section.
February 3, 2023
I was lucky to bag an advance copy of Katherine Bradley's The Sisterhood. It's not a book you can rush through - I often had to step away to simply breathe. I expected it to be well written - because it's Katherine Bradley, and I love her writing - but this blew me away.
In The Sisterhood, Katherine delivered a worthy counterpart to George Orwell's 1984. It's chilling. It's taut. It's as claustrophobic as it needs to be. And it's particularly frightening as one looks around and sees that we are voluntarily moving towards Orwell's nightmare. It is nothing short of a triumph.
In The Sisterhood, Katherine delivered a worthy counterpart to George Orwell's 1984. It's chilling. It's taut. It's as claustrophobic as it needs to be. And it's particularly frightening as one looks around and sees that we are voluntarily moving towards Orwell's nightmare. It is nothing short of a triumph.
February 12, 2024
When I discovered this was a feminist retelling of 1984 I was sold. It has been 36 years since I read that book and although I was not a massive fan of the original, it was certainly better than Lord of the flies which was our GCSE choice. I think I was a young girl frustrated by all the books being about god awful boys/men in what I was being forced to read. Maybe as an adult I would appreciate them but taking a side character and making her the star of this was so much more me.
It is very much an homage and in keeping with the original, which blends that dystopian world in to a more modern and contemporary version while losing none of the tense foreboding. It is terrifying in what is fast becoming reality and sadly shows how it is to be female in a man’s world.
The tag line ‘Big Brother is watching . But they won’t see her coming.’ Is particularly astute and perfectly shows how little women are considered. So who better than to go undercover and Julia made for a much better main character than her previous outing in this world.
It shows courage to take what is considered a classic and give a different take to it and I commend this author for giving the women a voice. It opens up the original to become more and slowly reveals some nice surprises too.
It is very much an homage and in keeping with the original, which blends that dystopian world in to a more modern and contemporary version while losing none of the tense foreboding. It is terrifying in what is fast becoming reality and sadly shows how it is to be female in a man’s world.
The tag line ‘Big Brother is watching . But they won’t see her coming.’ Is particularly astute and perfectly shows how little women are considered. So who better than to go undercover and Julia made for a much better main character than her previous outing in this world.
It shows courage to take what is considered a classic and give a different take to it and I commend this author for giving the women a voice. It opens up the original to become more and slowly reveals some nice surprises too.
April 26, 2025
So I wasn’t a fan of 1984 but loved this in comparison. It’s a 3.5 but not quite a 4!
August 2, 2023
Nobody really remembers when, but once, long ago, the place where Julia lives used to be called Great Britain. And now? Well, everything is different now. Oceania is a destitute land run by Ingsoc, where there are three tiers of categorized people. The Inner Party - the people with the privilege of education, of luxury, of thought and privacy - the Outer Party and the Proles.
Big Brother is always watching. In a time where everyone is so indoctrinated by the presense of Big Brother, where they accept that they are constantly under surveillance, where they praise Big Brother for his kindness, where they love him, where they devote their lives to him, where the give up their family members for him, he doesn't even exist. He is the voice on the telescreens, the face on posters and yet he is a persona. An illusion. A ghost.
But in this world where having your own opinion is a crime, where the only emotion allowed is love for Big Brother and hate for Oceania's enemies, Outer Party Julia and the other members of The Sisterhood do whatever they can to fight for a free future. Hoping that she found a member of another rebel group - The Brotherhood, Julia sets out to gain information that will finally help then take down Big Brother. But no matter how careful she is, she is always being watched - like everyone else. But she has a weapon, her true identity, which might be the only thing she can use to take down Ingsoc or might be her downfall.
My thoughts:
This book was riveting, haunting, exceptionally well-written, terrifying and absolutely fantastic. Not only was the story brilliant from the beginning, the entire book was so metaphoric it made my hair rise! Julia's thought process was so cutthroat and straight to the point. The story was the right amount of intriguing, captivating and utterly horrific. The author wrote at the end that she hoped George Orwell would have approved and I think he certainly would have. The characters! The plot twists! The hope! The shock! The horror!! I absolutely loved the read, I don't read much dystopian but this book was phenomenal.
Big Brother is always watching. In a time where everyone is so indoctrinated by the presense of Big Brother, where they accept that they are constantly under surveillance, where they praise Big Brother for his kindness, where they love him, where they devote their lives to him, where the give up their family members for him, he doesn't even exist. He is the voice on the telescreens, the face on posters and yet he is a persona. An illusion. A ghost.
But in this world where having your own opinion is a crime, where the only emotion allowed is love for Big Brother and hate for Oceania's enemies, Outer Party Julia and the other members of The Sisterhood do whatever they can to fight for a free future. Hoping that she found a member of another rebel group - The Brotherhood, Julia sets out to gain information that will finally help then take down Big Brother. But no matter how careful she is, she is always being watched - like everyone else. But she has a weapon, her true identity, which might be the only thing she can use to take down Ingsoc or might be her downfall.
My thoughts:
This book was riveting, haunting, exceptionally well-written, terrifying and absolutely fantastic. Not only was the story brilliant from the beginning, the entire book was so metaphoric it made my hair rise! Julia's thought process was so cutthroat and straight to the point. The story was the right amount of intriguing, captivating and utterly horrific. The author wrote at the end that she hoped George Orwell would have approved and I think he certainly would have. The characters! The plot twists! The hope! The shock! The horror!! I absolutely loved the read, I don't read much dystopian but this book was phenomenal.
July 22, 2024
Interessant boek, voelt een beetje als een mix van Handmaid's tale en hunger games, waarbij een groep vrouwen zich verzet tegen een dystopische patriarche samenleving. Goede ideeën, maar executie kon wat beter. Boek voelde soms wat langdradig, MC had een 'groot geheim' wat 27637 keer werd herhaald en vond sommige dingen simpelweg onrealistisch. Zo wordt iedereen 24/7 bespioneerd, maar ziet de staat (big brother) niet dat er bommen worden gestolen, wat heel handig is voor het plot. Julia blijkt uiteindelijk de zus van de huidige dictator en bombardeert het hele mannelijke kabinet, explosief einde dus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2025
A relatively enjoyable read, but I found that The Sisterhood lost a lot of what made 1984 so brilliant by making its main character, Julia, supremely important in the world of Oceania. I did like that it recognised the misogyny of the original text, but I’m not sure that it was enough - Orwell was a misogynist and no number of feminist retellings can do away with that. I also found that the ending, while satisfying was rushed - after a LOT of pre-amble. Overall, okay but definitely not a literary triumph.
July 30, 2023
What a great idea, to look at George Orwell's novel "1984" through a feminist lens and the eyes of the character Julia, Winston's Smith's sometime lover!
For me, this started slowly, possibly because it had been so many years since I read "1984". In retrospect, I would suggest that you'll probably enjoy this book even more if you read, or re-read, that one first, in order to familiarise yourself with the original story that inspired this one.
After its slow start, it does pick up the pace a bit, and by the time you reach the end you might feel a little breathless, as I did. I don't want to give you much about the plot of this novel because I feel there's too much of a risk of plot spoilers (and Big Brother might get me). I will say, though, that this reimagining of the book shows without a shadow of a doubt that a woman's interpretation of events is always worth taking!
I don't give many books 5 stars, and it's true that this isn't an original world created by the author. She's "merely" created backstory to a character who inhabits a world, both of which were created originally by someone else. However, there is a good deal here that expands on the original world and character and it genuinely enriches the original novel to have this one to read afterwards.
If you enjoyed Margaret Atwood's book "The Handmaid's Tale" (or the TV series or film of it), if you enjoyed Naomi Alderman's "The Power" or Christina Dalcher's "Q" or "Vox" or "Femlandia", this is definitely a book that will provide you with those sorts of thrills of women fighting back in a dystopian future where they are reduced to appendages of men.
Highly recommended.
For me, this started slowly, possibly because it had been so many years since I read "1984". In retrospect, I would suggest that you'll probably enjoy this book even more if you read, or re-read, that one first, in order to familiarise yourself with the original story that inspired this one.
After its slow start, it does pick up the pace a bit, and by the time you reach the end you might feel a little breathless, as I did. I don't want to give you much about the plot of this novel because I feel there's too much of a risk of plot spoilers (and Big Brother might get me). I will say, though, that this reimagining of the book shows without a shadow of a doubt that a woman's interpretation of events is always worth taking!
I don't give many books 5 stars, and it's true that this isn't an original world created by the author. She's "merely" created backstory to a character who inhabits a world, both of which were created originally by someone else. However, there is a good deal here that expands on the original world and character and it genuinely enriches the original novel to have this one to read afterwards.
If you enjoyed Margaret Atwood's book "The Handmaid's Tale" (or the TV series or film of it), if you enjoyed Naomi Alderman's "The Power" or Christina Dalcher's "Q" or "Vox" or "Femlandia", this is definitely a book that will provide you with those sorts of thrills of women fighting back in a dystopian future where they are reduced to appendages of men.
Highly recommended.
April 16, 2023
I was attracted by the premise of this novel: the story of Orwell's 1984 from the perspective of Julia, fleshing out her motivations and presenting the view of women in this dystopian world. In effect, I found much of it laborious to read as features of Orwell's world are recounted and re-explained throughout, something that may be of interest to those who have not read Orwell's original but less so if you have! The need for secrecy results in covert communication which in addition to being obscure adversely affects the characterisation of the women of the sisterhood none of whom really emerge as convincing characters. The final chapters did create some originality and interest but this was not enough to redeem the whole which was generally stilted and unengaging.
May 22, 2023
Relied too heavily on the world of 1984. I thought certain things were very repetitive, like after it was revealed Big Brother was her father and then every time big brother was mentioned she was like btw he was my father. I think in theory I liked this book, maybe I would have liked it more if I had read it and not listened to an audiobook? I'm not sure but I don't feel like this book surprised me in any way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2024
“… there is more than one way to leave people behind.”
There are certain books that you wish you could read for the first time, again. The Sisterhood is one of these books. The Sisterhood is a brilliant feminist retelling of 1984, that whilst following the original storyline of 1984 by George Orwell, shines a light on characters not previously given a voice, providing the reader with a new alternative feminist perspective. Through this retelling the author provides us with an alternative to the Brotherhood, with characters who set out to redefine what it is to be a women in their society, whilst fighting to end Big Brother’s reign and control over their society.
An incredibly well-written, stifling and oppressive novel, almost a haunting mirror of certain aspects of modern day society. Not only does this develop on the themes and conclusions drawn in 1984, but it echoes dystopian developments within our own civilisation.
“She is actually staring at nothing. Her anger is for nothing. It is for everything. It is for our fear-sodden, cold, controlled lives.”
The character Julia is given an entire backstory through this feminist retelling where we as the reader can see how she fits within her role not only in Oceania, but within the Sisterhood, gathering intelligence and observing characters such as Winston Smith. However, it is the power and determination she has in achieving her goals, fighting for herself and for those she loves, and how she will do anything to protect those she holds most dear that makes this character so compelling.
Julia is less of a woman to be characterised as a love interest for Winston, content with her own sensual small rebellions. Throughout The Sisterhood she is given agency, and a voice. And this fervent voice is one of power, one of sacrifice, and one of hope amidst the most horrific of times.
“In my darker moments, I almost envy the dead, envy that for them, there is nothing left to fear.”
I was absolutely blown away by this book. One of the easiest five stars I have ever given and a contender for favourite read of the year already. This book really had it all, a classic with a modern spin, taking Orwell’s main premise and building upon this further, highlighting the in-depth research and reading undertaken by the author. The power and emotion that you feel throughout, especially from characters who society goes to great lengths to control and censor, is exceptional and the ending is one that will definitely leave a long lasting impression. I couldn’t recommend this book enough, especially for lovers of classics, retellings, feminist readings and for readers who want to read female main characters that will stop at nothing to reach their goals.
This was enthralling, unputdownable, and a true literary masterpiece.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours, Katherine Bradley and Simon Schuster UK for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
There are certain books that you wish you could read for the first time, again. The Sisterhood is one of these books. The Sisterhood is a brilliant feminist retelling of 1984, that whilst following the original storyline of 1984 by George Orwell, shines a light on characters not previously given a voice, providing the reader with a new alternative feminist perspective. Through this retelling the author provides us with an alternative to the Brotherhood, with characters who set out to redefine what it is to be a women in their society, whilst fighting to end Big Brother’s reign and control over their society.
An incredibly well-written, stifling and oppressive novel, almost a haunting mirror of certain aspects of modern day society. Not only does this develop on the themes and conclusions drawn in 1984, but it echoes dystopian developments within our own civilisation.
“She is actually staring at nothing. Her anger is for nothing. It is for everything. It is for our fear-sodden, cold, controlled lives.”
The character Julia is given an entire backstory through this feminist retelling where we as the reader can see how she fits within her role not only in Oceania, but within the Sisterhood, gathering intelligence and observing characters such as Winston Smith. However, it is the power and determination she has in achieving her goals, fighting for herself and for those she loves, and how she will do anything to protect those she holds most dear that makes this character so compelling.
Julia is less of a woman to be characterised as a love interest for Winston, content with her own sensual small rebellions. Throughout The Sisterhood she is given agency, and a voice. And this fervent voice is one of power, one of sacrifice, and one of hope amidst the most horrific of times.
“In my darker moments, I almost envy the dead, envy that for them, there is nothing left to fear.”
I was absolutely blown away by this book. One of the easiest five stars I have ever given and a contender for favourite read of the year already. This book really had it all, a classic with a modern spin, taking Orwell’s main premise and building upon this further, highlighting the in-depth research and reading undertaken by the author. The power and emotion that you feel throughout, especially from characters who society goes to great lengths to control and censor, is exceptional and the ending is one that will definitely leave a long lasting impression. I couldn’t recommend this book enough, especially for lovers of classics, retellings, feminist readings and for readers who want to read female main characters that will stop at nothing to reach their goals.
This was enthralling, unputdownable, and a true literary masterpiece.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours, Katherine Bradley and Simon Schuster UK for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2024
1984 by George Orwell is a novel that has always stayed with me since I read it back in the 1980s at school. I revisited it in 2016 and found it just as disturbing. So when Katherine Bradley’s novel The Sisterhood came out in 2023, I was keen to read it.
In The Sisterhood we are in the same world as 1984 but this story is about Julia, the woman who in 1984 begins a relationship with Winston Smith before they are captured. We don’t hear much about Julia or her motivations in 1984 and in The Sisterhood, Bradley imagines Julia’s story.
As the book begins, Julia is attending the weekly screening of the lottery meeting. She is joined by her fellow members of The Sisterhood, a small group of women whose ultimate aim is to overthrow Big Brother. To do this they hope to infiltrate and join forces with The Brotherhood, a group of men who are already fighting Big Brother. Fellow Sisterhood member Ruby believes she has found a member of The Brotherhood and has made contact but as the crowds gather waiting for the lottery results, the Thought Police arrive and take Ruby. The other women are devastated and scared for their own lives and so Julia attempts to find Ruby’s contact and this is what leads her to Winston Smith.
We also go back in time to when Julia was a girl, who lives in relative comfort with her parents and brother, attending school, away from the harsh realities of living in the Big Brother regime. Her origins are not a story she has shared with anyone and as the revelations come they are heart-breaking and shocking.
The Sisterhood was everything I hoped it would be – a feminist retelling that captures the essence of 1984 perfectly. There are some truly shocking moments that took my breath away and it is a thrilling read as this strong group of women fight for their freedom and the freedom of everyone in Oceania in what seems like an impossible situation.
The feeling of tension is huge – the women never know if their tricks to not arouse suspicion are working. Planning a revolution is not an easy thing to do when their are spies everywhere and the telescreens are always on, watching and listening.
I think The Sisterhood can be read without having read 1984 but I think you’ll appreciate it’s cleverness more if you have. A brilliant read and one I can’t stop thinking about, it is such a clever idea and is perfectly executed.
I loved it so much I have arranged for the author to visit our book club in April to chat about the book – I think it is one everyone will enjoy.
In The Sisterhood we are in the same world as 1984 but this story is about Julia, the woman who in 1984 begins a relationship with Winston Smith before they are captured. We don’t hear much about Julia or her motivations in 1984 and in The Sisterhood, Bradley imagines Julia’s story.
As the book begins, Julia is attending the weekly screening of the lottery meeting. She is joined by her fellow members of The Sisterhood, a small group of women whose ultimate aim is to overthrow Big Brother. To do this they hope to infiltrate and join forces with The Brotherhood, a group of men who are already fighting Big Brother. Fellow Sisterhood member Ruby believes she has found a member of The Brotherhood and has made contact but as the crowds gather waiting for the lottery results, the Thought Police arrive and take Ruby. The other women are devastated and scared for their own lives and so Julia attempts to find Ruby’s contact and this is what leads her to Winston Smith.
We also go back in time to when Julia was a girl, who lives in relative comfort with her parents and brother, attending school, away from the harsh realities of living in the Big Brother regime. Her origins are not a story she has shared with anyone and as the revelations come they are heart-breaking and shocking.
The Sisterhood was everything I hoped it would be – a feminist retelling that captures the essence of 1984 perfectly. There are some truly shocking moments that took my breath away and it is a thrilling read as this strong group of women fight for their freedom and the freedom of everyone in Oceania in what seems like an impossible situation.
The feeling of tension is huge – the women never know if their tricks to not arouse suspicion are working. Planning a revolution is not an easy thing to do when their are spies everywhere and the telescreens are always on, watching and listening.
I think The Sisterhood can be read without having read 1984 but I think you’ll appreciate it’s cleverness more if you have. A brilliant read and one I can’t stop thinking about, it is such a clever idea and is perfectly executed.
I loved it so much I have arranged for the author to visit our book club in April to chat about the book – I think it is one everyone will enjoy.
February 25, 2024
Julia lives in Oceania, which is ruled by the overseeing and dictating government led by the Big Brother.
You can’t move or breathe without the Big Brother knowing about it. His spies are everywhere and you can’t trust anyone.
The society is split into three tiers: Inner Party, being at the top; Outer Party, the middle; and the Proles at the bottom.
Julia is a part of the Outer Party, meaning she isn’t as privileged as the Inner Party, but not living in poverty like the Proles.
She is harbouring a secret. If someone found out, she would be sent to the Ministry of Love, where she’d be tortured and then killed.
Julia is part of the Sisterhood, a secret organisation wishing to make contact with the Brotherhood, and then work together to overthrow the Big Brother’s regime….
I won’t reveal more of the plot, you have to read this book for yourselves.
I am a huge fan of Orwell’s 1984 and I was ecstatic to be accepted for this tour.
This retelling of 1984 is told from Julia’s point of view. We get to discover her thoughts and how women were treated in Oceania. What made it more special was the fact that Julia had more than one secret, and if they got exposed, she’d risk losing everything… I was at the edge of my seat as the plot kept pouring out!
This book explores what it’s like to be a woman living under a dictatorship, but it also sends a very powerful message that women are strong and they have worth.
You can’t move or breathe without the Big Brother knowing about it. His spies are everywhere and you can’t trust anyone.
The society is split into three tiers: Inner Party, being at the top; Outer Party, the middle; and the Proles at the bottom.
Julia is a part of the Outer Party, meaning she isn’t as privileged as the Inner Party, but not living in poverty like the Proles.
She is harbouring a secret. If someone found out, she would be sent to the Ministry of Love, where she’d be tortured and then killed.
Julia is part of the Sisterhood, a secret organisation wishing to make contact with the Brotherhood, and then work together to overthrow the Big Brother’s regime….
I won’t reveal more of the plot, you have to read this book for yourselves.
I am a huge fan of Orwell’s 1984 and I was ecstatic to be accepted for this tour.
This retelling of 1984 is told from Julia’s point of view. We get to discover her thoughts and how women were treated in Oceania. What made it more special was the fact that Julia had more than one secret, and if they got exposed, she’d risk losing everything… I was at the edge of my seat as the plot kept pouring out!
This book explores what it’s like to be a woman living under a dictatorship, but it also sends a very powerful message that women are strong and they have worth.
February 14, 2024
‘The Sisterhood’ is a mix of dystopian and feminist literature that is a tribute to ‘1984’ and is an intriguing and compelling read. This is the first book I have read by this author and what made me pick this one up was the references to Orwell and 1984 as that is one of my favourite books. So a feminist retelling was going to be right up my street. It can be a risk to take such a powerful book and try to make part of it your own and in the main this author manages to do this with the swapping of genders in its protagonist.
In Oceania, Big Brother is always watching you and you can trust no one. Julia comes across as being the perfect citizen but she hides a secret. She is part of ‘The Sisterhood’, an underground movement that is trying to locate their male counterparts ‘The Brotherhood’. When Julia thinks she has located a member of this elusive group things start to fall apart as Julia’s past catches up with her.
Julia was an interesting character that was completely different depending on who she was facing. At times a perfect citizen, privately struggling on so many levels, trying to be a good and loyal friend and also an agent provocateur. She was complex and strong but naive and simple as well. Her best self was with the relationships she formed in The Sisterhood and I was rooting for her as the book progresses and we learn more about her background.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book but when I did I flew through it. I do love feminist retellings but it can he a hard line to master between using too much of the source material and not enough of your own take on it.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
In Oceania, Big Brother is always watching you and you can trust no one. Julia comes across as being the perfect citizen but she hides a secret. She is part of ‘The Sisterhood’, an underground movement that is trying to locate their male counterparts ‘The Brotherhood’. When Julia thinks she has located a member of this elusive group things start to fall apart as Julia’s past catches up with her.
Julia was an interesting character that was completely different depending on who she was facing. At times a perfect citizen, privately struggling on so many levels, trying to be a good and loyal friend and also an agent provocateur. She was complex and strong but naive and simple as well. Her best self was with the relationships she formed in The Sisterhood and I was rooting for her as the book progresses and we learn more about her background.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book but when I did I flew through it. I do love feminist retellings but it can he a hard line to master between using too much of the source material and not enough of your own take on it.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
February 27, 2024
A daring and compelling retelling of 1984 that shines a spotlight on a once mysterious character.
It’s been a long time since I read 1984 but to this day, I remember the horror and the frightening parallels with our real world. Big Brother watching, the growing apathy in society, the quiet withdrawl of free speech and thought. All this is captured in The Sisterhood with vivid detail and it boldly strives to tell the story of Julia, the somewhat passive yet pivotal character in 1984. Her complex background, her secret friendships in the rebel Sisterhood, her daring and tenacity all build a character of strength and resilience, one who very quickly became my new hero.
Some of the horrific scenes in this book will never leave me, this can be a tough read but it serves as a stark warning on what can very easily become our reality. Diverse opinions, opposing attitudes, discussion, random acts of kindness, friendships and love, those are the freedoms I cherished after reading this book. I cried at the end. It’s one that really chills you to the core, makes you look around after finishing and want to call everyone you love to remind them of that fact. I think everyone should read this book but just don’t go into it lightly!
It’s been a long time since I read 1984 but to this day, I remember the horror and the frightening parallels with our real world. Big Brother watching, the growing apathy in society, the quiet withdrawl of free speech and thought. All this is captured in The Sisterhood with vivid detail and it boldly strives to tell the story of Julia, the somewhat passive yet pivotal character in 1984. Her complex background, her secret friendships in the rebel Sisterhood, her daring and tenacity all build a character of strength and resilience, one who very quickly became my new hero.
Some of the horrific scenes in this book will never leave me, this can be a tough read but it serves as a stark warning on what can very easily become our reality. Diverse opinions, opposing attitudes, discussion, random acts of kindness, friendships and love, those are the freedoms I cherished after reading this book. I cried at the end. It’s one that really chills you to the core, makes you look around after finishing and want to call everyone you love to remind them of that fact. I think everyone should read this book but just don’t go into it lightly!
December 30, 2024
Julia is a member of the Sisterhood: an underground organisation who want to end the oppression of Big Brother and the Party, who have their boots on the throats of everyone in Oceania.
To further their mission, Julia must make contact with the Brotherhood, through a mildly repulsive coworker named Winston Smith. However, Julia is hiding a secret from her Sisterhood.Her real name is Juliet Berkshire, whose family sits at the heart of the Party.
Bradley's parallel narrative to '1984' mixes tragedy with a good dose of anger against a failing government and a heightened sense of paranoia. This book burns with righteous fury and lingers in the memory.
To further their mission, Julia must make contact with the Brotherhood, through a mildly repulsive coworker named Winston Smith. However, Julia is hiding a secret from her Sisterhood.Her real name is Juliet Berkshire, whose family sits at the heart of the Party.
Bradley's parallel narrative to '1984' mixes tragedy with a good dose of anger against a failing government and a heightened sense of paranoia. This book burns with righteous fury and lingers in the memory.
June 21, 2023
I can't impress upon you how good this book is. "The Sisterhood" by Katherine Bradley completely caught me unaware and I was transported right back into the world of Big Brother and 1984. This book though is told from Julia's perspective, a minor character in 1984, but given her chance to tell it like it is, living in Oceana under the constant monitoring of Big Brother. Bradley does a brilliant job of keeping the plot in keeping with Orwell's original but with subtle updates so that it reflects the modern world a little bit more. So so good, this should be on the syllabus.
February 29, 2024
I hate it when a key part of a main character and narrator's identity, that they are fully aware of, is not told to me until halfway through the book. I can only read "but they don't know my secret" so many times before it gets really annoying. You know your secret and are not meant to be an unreliable narrator, so this isn't suspenseful.
Otherwise it's fine. Successfully fleshes out a female character from 1984. I was so put off by this constant dangling of the "secret" that I took issue with tons of stuff afterwards, which is probably my fault.
Otherwise it's fine. Successfully fleshes out a female character from 1984. I was so put off by this constant dangling of the "secret" that I took issue with tons of stuff afterwards, which is probably my fault.
July 5, 2023
3.5⭐️
The Sisterhood is a dystopian novel that claims to be a feminist retelling of 1984. In Oceania, Big Brother is always watching, and you can trust no one. Julia seems to be a perfect example of what a woman should be like, meek and dutiful, but she hides a dangerous secret. One that could spell death for her if discovered. Julia is a member of The Sisterhood, a group of women whose main goal is to track down the vigilante group, The Brotherhood, and help them overthrow Big Brother.
When one of the other women gets taken away after making contact with a possible Brotherhood member, Julia is set on tracking down this mystery man. But The Sisterhood isn't the only thing Julia is hiding, and as the story progresses, we get a glimpse into her history and the events that brought her to where she is.
It was only upon finishing the book and looking at other reviews that I discovered The Sisterhood is set in the same world Orwell created in 1984, just told from the point of view of one of the minor characters. Apparently, the author seamlessly incorporates elements from the original story into this one, and now I really wish I had read 1984 first.
But The Sisterhood can still be read and appreciated as a standalone. With quite a bit of The Handmaid's Tale vibes, this novel is chilling in its ability to show how what is fiction could actually become reality, probably because it already is to a small extent.The way in which people are brainwashed and controlled seems very possible the way the author tells it here.
Julia's story is divided into two parts, the past and the present, both ultimately converging to produce an ending that goes out with a bang.
Though the pacing was off sometimes, it was overall thought-provoking and disquieting. A must-read if you're a fan of dystopian books.
The Sisterhood is a dystopian novel that claims to be a feminist retelling of 1984. In Oceania, Big Brother is always watching, and you can trust no one. Julia seems to be a perfect example of what a woman should be like, meek and dutiful, but she hides a dangerous secret. One that could spell death for her if discovered. Julia is a member of The Sisterhood, a group of women whose main goal is to track down the vigilante group, The Brotherhood, and help them overthrow Big Brother.
When one of the other women gets taken away after making contact with a possible Brotherhood member, Julia is set on tracking down this mystery man. But The Sisterhood isn't the only thing Julia is hiding, and as the story progresses, we get a glimpse into her history and the events that brought her to where she is.
It was only upon finishing the book and looking at other reviews that I discovered The Sisterhood is set in the same world Orwell created in 1984, just told from the point of view of one of the minor characters. Apparently, the author seamlessly incorporates elements from the original story into this one, and now I really wish I had read 1984 first.
But The Sisterhood can still be read and appreciated as a standalone. With quite a bit of The Handmaid's Tale vibes, this novel is chilling in its ability to show how what is fiction could actually become reality, probably because it already is to a small extent.The way in which people are brainwashed and controlled seems very possible the way the author tells it here.
Julia's story is divided into two parts, the past and the present, both ultimately converging to produce an ending that goes out with a bang.
Though the pacing was off sometimes, it was overall thought-provoking and disquieting. A must-read if you're a fan of dystopian books.
June 1, 2023
I would give this 0 stars if I knew how
July 28, 2024
very interesting and I loved how it filled in bits of the story of 1984. as a modern novel I also loved the incorporation of modern technology into the regime. this was very readable which was really nice. the beginning featured a lot of telling instead of showing, which felt clunky and I wasn't sure why it was needed, as presumably the reader would have read 1984 already so would remember the context. there were also some very graphically violent and harrowing scenes in the book so would advise approaching with caution. you do really feel for Julia and love the camaraderie she builds.
March 20, 2024
3.5 stars. Took me a while thanks to the harshness of winter, but I'm back into it now!
Let's start with the good things first:
The plot was very, very good. Especially in the latter half of it. The characters were very compelling and I couldn't help rooting for them throughout.
For a book out of one of the bigger publishing houses, I was slightly shocked by the editing. Or seemingly a lack, thereof. There were noticeable sentences which made absolutely no sense, such as "As a woman, I had no tech permissions, so wrote to Arthur, and then when I didn't hear back, My Rymen." And yes, the full stop is where the sentence genuinely ended.
Also, the first part had very key and engaging parts to the plot, however in between said moments, it felt extremely slow and handled sluggishly. These are the reasons it got a 3.5 stars from me. However, I would still recommend it.
Let's start with the good things first:
The plot was very, very good. Especially in the latter half of it. The characters were very compelling and I couldn't help rooting for them throughout.
For a book out of one of the bigger publishing houses, I was slightly shocked by the editing. Or seemingly a lack, thereof. There were noticeable sentences which made absolutely no sense, such as "As a woman, I had no tech permissions, so wrote to Arthur, and then when I didn't hear back, My Rymen." And yes, the full stop is where the sentence genuinely ended.
Also, the first part had very key and engaging parts to the plot, however in between said moments, it felt extremely slow and handled sluggishly. These are the reasons it got a 3.5 stars from me. However, I would still recommend it.
September 28, 2025
Big ups to Matt for the recommendation! Loved that this sits just on the edge of 1984 but is complete within itself. A nice reminder that even in the bleakest of times, the best thing to have is sisterhood
March 11, 2023
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and to NetGalley for my advance review copy of this book.
Big Sister ★★★★☆
In an astute re-imagining of 1984 from Julia’s perspective, the author dives back into the toxic world of Oceania and introduces us to The Sisterhood.
Juliette and her group of sisters are trying to connect with the mysterious Brotherhood, in the hope that they can join forces against Big Brother. However, in an increasingly dangerous game of espionage their time is running out.
Do the sisters need their male counterpart to succeed? Are they the best disguised assassins, hidden behind their work at the anti sex league, undervalued and underestimated? Will Juliette’s secrets cost them everything?
A disturbing and saddening portrayal of dictatorship, womanhood and bravery in a cruel and manipulative male world.
Big Sister ★★★★☆
In an astute re-imagining of 1984 from Julia’s perspective, the author dives back into the toxic world of Oceania and introduces us to The Sisterhood.
Juliette and her group of sisters are trying to connect with the mysterious Brotherhood, in the hope that they can join forces against Big Brother. However, in an increasingly dangerous game of espionage their time is running out.
Do the sisters need their male counterpart to succeed? Are they the best disguised assassins, hidden behind their work at the anti sex league, undervalued and underestimated? Will Juliette’s secrets cost them everything?
A disturbing and saddening portrayal of dictatorship, womanhood and bravery in a cruel and manipulative male world.
April 11, 2024
Fantastic concept but poorly executed. Padded out with pointless repetition, sloppily written and unbelievable. Such a disappointment. I am going to try "Julia" in the hope that achieves what I thought The Sisterhood would.
September 24, 2023
2.5 stars
Good premise but slow slow SLOW execution and the way everything wrapped itself around itself without going anywhere exactly was not helpful oh my days.
Good premise but slow slow SLOW execution and the way everything wrapped itself around itself without going anywhere exactly was not helpful oh my days.
February 16, 2024
I read the original 1984 many years ago and two things have stuck with me: how horrifying the Two-Minute Hate was, and how, at the end, Winston wasn't able to do anything but succumb to the system. And while I was wary of how this book was marketed as "a feminist retelling" — no hate against feminism, I just suspect sometimes that it's either token representation or profiting off a trend — I thoroughly enjoyed how the story was told from Julia's POV and the backstory the author gave her. The twists, how the gaps in the original were filled, the ending. I don't want to spoil anything because I feel that would do the author a disservice, so I'll just say that if you like retellings that expand on the originals and give a fresh look to a familiar world, then this novel might be for you!
I'm not really a fan of lyrical prose (or "prose poetry" as I've also seen it called); in fact, I DNF'd the last book I had with that writing style. I'm also not used to first person — especially first person present — being used outside of YA, though I have nothing against it as I appreciate how it's great for showing urgency and tension. But I found myself liking that combination for this book. The style made Julia's voice clear and compelling without being unbelievable or overly fancy or annoying. I rooted for her, I really did! The ending broke my heart and made my spirit soar at the same time.
One thing I also appreciated about this retelling is how it "updated" the workings of Big Brother's society and included things that, well, we're starting to experience right now. It was unnerving, honestly. Though haven't we already been feeling that, that we're living in some sort of dystopia? (That might be kind of depressing for some, so I totally understand if you wouldn't want to read a book like that.)
I actually whipped out my sticky tabs to mark parts as I went along, among which are as follows:
* Science is working hard to eradicate the need for the womb. Officially, it's because infertility levels are rising. Unofficially, pregnancy is too nurturing, and like sex, creates the bonds they wish to break.
* When they replaced the television for telescreens, everybody wanted one. What they lost in privacy, they gained in connectivity, features and the latest must-have pride.
* Intimacy and affection is not permitted — not even between children and their parents.
* There isn't a lock because privacy is also undervalued. Separating people is a way of fragmenting society, to maintain control.
* In the fiction department, AI bots will write crappy penny dreadful books that didactically explore what happens when a character decides that war is not peace.
* There are files on us since we were born — before we were born. Files on what our parents read, bought, watched, ate, shat and made them horny.
* The dean and canons are all long gone, along with the nation's Sikhs, the Muslims and the Buddhists, banished by Big Brother (in increments — legislation against prayer, followed by membership, then identity, until people of all faiths disappeared.)
* It's the same propaganda used against the queer community — at the doctor's, hideous photos of a vicious flesh-eating disease are displayed, a so-called record of fact and the reason they give for zero homosexuality.
* Despite its apparently infallability, the rise of famfarms — taking babies from birth into large, purpose-built institutions — continues. Big Brother tells us family life is costly and time-consuming, parenting outdated and damaging to the child; it's clear that there's a movement towards relegating family life to the history rubbish heap.
* Mental illness is thoughtcrime — it suggests the love of Big Brother is not enough.
* "Grandfather reset time. He told me it was easy once they had control of the information systems. It's just a mop-up job afterwards. Deleting records, replacing them. Hacking broadcasters; hijacking key IT channels; book burning; controlling phone providers; taking charge of the media, the influences, shutting down social channels that wouldn't comply. Once they seized the water systems and the Big Pharma, it was easy to control the populace."
* "When wars leave people fatigued, hungry, homeless, frightened, they'll accept any real sign of leadership. And don't be mistaken: the tougher, the uglier, the dirtier the leader, is just what they want - because it gives them hope that that person will have the iron fist needed to drive them forward. When people have suffered and suffered and suffered, they're less fussy about the things they should be fussy about." (As a Filipino, this struck me in particularly.)
In conclusion: I love this book. It's my favorite of the year so far!
PS. This doesn't affect my recommendation or my rating, but I just wanted to point out that, for a book published by one of the Big 5 traditional publishing houses, I still found (not a lot, but they're there) some odd word choices, sentences that seem missing a word or a punctuation mark, and words lacking an s when they're supposed to be plural. I'm no editor, but I've had authors tell me I have an editor's keen eye.
Anyway, my point is — indie authors get so much hate for mistakes like that, yet when a book is trad pubbed, people are generally more understanding. Maybe we can be a bit more understanding overall. 💙🧡
I'm not really a fan of lyrical prose (or "prose poetry" as I've also seen it called); in fact, I DNF'd the last book I had with that writing style. I'm also not used to first person — especially first person present — being used outside of YA, though I have nothing against it as I appreciate how it's great for showing urgency and tension. But I found myself liking that combination for this book. The style made Julia's voice clear and compelling without being unbelievable or overly fancy or annoying. I rooted for her, I really did! The ending broke my heart and made my spirit soar at the same time.
One thing I also appreciated about this retelling is how it "updated" the workings of Big Brother's society and included things that, well, we're starting to experience right now. It was unnerving, honestly. Though haven't we already been feeling that, that we're living in some sort of dystopia? (That might be kind of depressing for some, so I totally understand if you wouldn't want to read a book like that.)
I actually whipped out my sticky tabs to mark parts as I went along, among which are as follows:
* Science is working hard to eradicate the need for the womb. Officially, it's because infertility levels are rising. Unofficially, pregnancy is too nurturing, and like sex, creates the bonds they wish to break.
* When they replaced the television for telescreens, everybody wanted one. What they lost in privacy, they gained in connectivity, features and the latest must-have pride.
* Intimacy and affection is not permitted — not even between children and their parents.
* There isn't a lock because privacy is also undervalued. Separating people is a way of fragmenting society, to maintain control.
* In the fiction department, AI bots will write crappy penny dreadful books that didactically explore what happens when a character decides that war is not peace.
* There are files on us since we were born — before we were born. Files on what our parents read, bought, watched, ate, shat and made them horny.
* The dean and canons are all long gone, along with the nation's Sikhs, the Muslims and the Buddhists, banished by Big Brother (in increments — legislation against prayer, followed by membership, then identity, until people of all faiths disappeared.)
* It's the same propaganda used against the queer community — at the doctor's, hideous photos of a vicious flesh-eating disease are displayed, a so-called record of fact and the reason they give for zero homosexuality.
* Despite its apparently infallability, the rise of famfarms — taking babies from birth into large, purpose-built institutions — continues. Big Brother tells us family life is costly and time-consuming, parenting outdated and damaging to the child; it's clear that there's a movement towards relegating family life to the history rubbish heap.
* Mental illness is thoughtcrime — it suggests the love of Big Brother is not enough.
* "Grandfather reset time. He told me it was easy once they had control of the information systems. It's just a mop-up job afterwards. Deleting records, replacing them. Hacking broadcasters; hijacking key IT channels; book burning; controlling phone providers; taking charge of the media, the influences, shutting down social channels that wouldn't comply. Once they seized the water systems and the Big Pharma, it was easy to control the populace."
* "When wars leave people fatigued, hungry, homeless, frightened, they'll accept any real sign of leadership. And don't be mistaken: the tougher, the uglier, the dirtier the leader, is just what they want - because it gives them hope that that person will have the iron fist needed to drive them forward. When people have suffered and suffered and suffered, they're less fussy about the things they should be fussy about." (As a Filipino, this struck me in particularly.)
In conclusion: I love this book. It's my favorite of the year so far!
PS. This doesn't affect my recommendation or my rating, but I just wanted to point out that, for a book published by one of the Big 5 traditional publishing houses, I still found (not a lot, but they're there) some odd word choices, sentences that seem missing a word or a punctuation mark, and words lacking an s when they're supposed to be plural. I'm no editor, but I've had authors tell me I have an editor's keen eye.
Anyway, my point is — indie authors get so much hate for mistakes like that, yet when a book is trad pubbed, people are generally more understanding. Maybe we can be a bit more understanding overall. 💙🧡
January 11, 2024
‘The Sisterhood’ was made out to be the feminist retelling of 1984, and whilst the element of the rebel group ‘The Sisterhood’ was a nice introduction, a real resistance as oppose to the manufactured brotherhood in Orwell’s source material, that was the only part that lived up. I never expected ‘The Sisterhood’ to match ‘1984’ as Orwell’s masterpiece is my unparalleled favourite book and I can’t foresee much ever matching it, but I didn’t expect it to disappoint quite so much. Bradley set out to recognise some of the flaws in 1984, such as the controversiality of Winston and lack of Julia’ s depth of the character, but in doing so made Julia arguably more dislikable than Winston, made every effort to limit Winston’s role in the story and appear solely in a negative light, and in creating Julia’s identity tore apart the message of the original dystopian, that inevitable threat of totalitarianism and the sufferings of the proletariat, Winston and Julia being among the everyman beneath the oppression of the totalitarian force. Bradley had her own vision of Julia which was the point of her retelling, but I felt this vision undermined Orwell and his purpose, as to bring it to light she had to tell her own story, the aspects of the original plot of ‘1984’ only appearing in as small a section as possible just so the story made sense in the original dystopian context, and as a justification for Bradley to use Orwell’s world building and characters. Not to mention some elements to the original text make no sense as the scenes are so limited that included references such as the rhyme ’The bells of saint Clements’ that is such a powerful collection of lyric in ‘1984’ are inserted in in their moment most powerful with no background or prior explanation in ‘The Sisterhood’, making their impact worthless. Moving away from my criticisms relating to the plot and source material, Bradley’s writing was also juvenile, it didn’t tear you apart in the areas where Orwell set the plot up to be most impactful, and her writing, descriptions and most characters were flat. I pity anyone who read this before reading ‘1984’ for some reason, as it has massacred such an important story and torn all meaning out of it. I recognise my review of this was scathing and Bradley was trying something different, though I really don’t think it worked and maybe someone who regards ‘1984’ so highly is not the person to trust to give an unbiased opinion on this book. I would however be interested to read the other 1984 retelling that came out recently ‘Julia’, for the sake of comparison.
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