I didn't vibe with this read and I know that this is partially due to my inability to enjoy more abstract, monologue type novels. This reads as a take on what it means to be human (more specifically a woman) and I understand the themes were only a vehicle to develop this essay, this idea, but I wish it had been taken further.
I really did enjoy the narration (and the audiobook narrator did a wonderful job at conveying the MCs voice and feelings and train of thought, this stream of consciousness) but at times I just felt utterly bored. The prose was lovely but I had so many unanswered questions at the end of the novel - it just wasn't gratifying enough of a read for me to feel accomplished.
No real character development besides a few details on the relationships between women, a lot of uncertainty and despair (I get it, it's the theme, but I was disappointed), and a whole lot of yearning for the men. I understand the relationship between sexuality and humanity and baby-making, but I think it missed a lot of key-elements between the incredible connection between women.
By the way the MC is seen as different, given the lack of “real life experiences”, I guess it would be easy to assume that she would have a different ending but, when I think of it, it makes sense. In my opinion it can feel a bit “dragged” but it’s because we are literally in her head and, despite the circumstances, I don’t believe she wanted to die (unlike the other women who had experienced the joys of their previous life, and ended up wishing for death to end their cycle of loss).
It’s a book that gives you so many strings of thought without any concrete answers, so I understand that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s not the kind of book that I will pick up back to back, but I will definitely explore Jacqueline’s work.
I'd also read great reviews on this, and how the final 10% of the book was "groundbreaking", "chilling"; I was excited when she found the furnished bunker and the books, but the irony of her disease and her predicament fell short to me.
