Play Book Tag discussion

EDITING MY REVIEW:

I have talked to a few women here and PBT and listened to their perspective on Red Clock and women's rights. After talking with them I understand parts of Red Clocks a bit more.

I still am not a fan of the writing. It was very difficult for me to read and follow the story. I didn't like the way the story was told and the writing left me confused many times and I had to back up and reread.

Red Clocks follows 4 women and tells the story of a 5th. It analyzes women's roles in society and how women have been defined through the ages.

Hmmm... interesting take. This is on my long list of "want to read," but not even a physical copy so would be some time before I get to it.

Can't wait to check it out.
Even though your review is negative I am intrigued more to see how I would react to the story.

I saw it as 100% about women's rights issues. Wasn't this the one that had the two laws that were going into/had gone into effect? One outlawing abortion and one that said only two parent—one man/one woman—households could adopt?

I viewed it as how these law impacted each of the women portrayed. The Wife was in a marriage that she wanted out of, the Daughter was pregnant and wanted an abortion, the Biographer was unmarried but contemplating having a child, and the Mender helped people have abortions.

I saw a strong connection of these women, in various stages of their life, and how laws that restrict their rights impact their lives. I felt like the Explorer was less of an independent character, but more of an example of the rights women had in the past.

I also wasn't a huge fan of the writing and I thought the story had a great premise but, ultimately, nothing in the world of these women changed. They didn't even really resist these changes. I felt like it paled in comparison to other dystopian books in the same vein, but the story has stayed with me since I read it.

Just another perspective for those of you contemplating reading it!

Meli wrote: "Hmmm... interesting take. This is on my long list of "want to read," but not even a physical copy so would be some time before I get to it.

Can't wait to check it out.
Even though your review is..."

I didn't mean the review to be negative. I liked a lot of the book. I just found it difficult to read and have trouble making some of the arguments fit women's rights. I think they are important to discuss, I just don't seem them as gender issues. Then again I am a man, so maybe I just don't yet fully understand the arguments.

Nicole R wrote: "I saw it as 100% about women's rights issues. Wasn't this the one that had the two laws that were going into/had gone into effect? One outlawing abortion and one that said only two parent—one man/o..."

Nicole, I meant I didn't see all of the issues as gender or women's rights issues. Of course the book is about women's rights. I sent a personal message to may clear up what I meant better. I hope to hear your thoughts.

Everyone likes different things and relates to storylines differently--that is what makes books so great!

I was just throwing out a different perspective because the concepts of the book have stuck with me even though I definitely would not rave about the writing or the plot execution.

I just started this yesterday so I only skimmed the review and people's responses above. I'll definitely be coming back to comment once I finish. I'm at pg 114 or about 1/3 of the way through it and so far I'm enjoying the story.

I agree it can be hard to follow but that I became fine with it once I created a cheat sheet of sorts for the characters:
Mattie = The Daughter
Ro = The Biographer
Susan = The Wife
etc...
Now I'm good and am flying through the book.

I'm trying really hard not to be pissed off at Canada.

Jason wrote: "Meli wrote: "Hmmm... interesting take. This is on my long list of "want to read," but not even a physical copy so would be some time before I get to it.

Can't wait to check it out.
Even though y..."

It didn't sound like the read was a total loss for your but you did refer to the writing as atrocious so I thought that is pretty negative. But still, I am enjoying both perspectives on this read and, for me, that makes it more intriguing ;)

I really enjoyed this, gave it 4 stars- and appreciated the "look" into this dystopian world. I really loved the subtleties in this that zoom in on the woman's "roles" - why they exist, how they got these stereotypical roles, and why they are stuck in them. I actually used the nook function to save quotes because many were extremely meaningful to me- which I NEVER do.

I personally wouldn't personally call the writing in this atrocious. It's written in very simple language. However the format of the book could be considered "gimmick-y" with the five archetypes, and the combo of these two things couple potentially be why others including Jason didn't like it.

Unrelated note: The cover totally looks like a vagina, and I cannot unsee this.

Joi wrote: "Unrelated note: The cover totally looks like a vagina, and I cannot unsee this."

YEP!

After messaging with some women on PBT and gaining their perspective, I do see the connection with some of the points in the book and women's rights that I previously did not make the connection to. Because of this, I updated my review.

Joi wrote: "Unrelated note: The cover totally looks like a vagina, and I cannot unsee this."

Pretty sure that was intentional. lol

Jason wrote: "After messaging with some women on PBT and gaining their perspective, I do see the connection with some of the points in the book and women's rights that I previously did not make the connection to..."

I haven't read this book Jason. But, I'm impressed with your willingness to listen to other perspectives. You can certainly count on this group to express a feminist viewpoint!

Jgrace wrote: "Jason wrote: "After messaging with some women on PBT and gaining their perspective, I do see the connection with some of the points in the book and women's rights that I previously did not make the..."

I'm always interested in other perspectives. That is whole reason I read the book. Even if in the end you don't agree (not necessarily saying in this case), its important to be able to see why someone feels the way they do.