The Power
By Naomi Alderman
- Release Date: 2017-10-10
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
In this stunning bestseller praised as "our era's Handmaid's Tale," a fierce new power has emerged—and only women have it (Washington Post).
In The Power, the world is a recognizable place: there's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family.
But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power: they can cause agonizing pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets. From award-winning author Naomi Alderman, The Power is speculative fiction at its most ambitious and provocative, at once taking us on a thrilling journey to an alternate reality, and exposing our own world in bold and surprising ways.
"Captivating, fierce, and unsettling...I was riveted by every page. Alderman's prose is immersive and, well, electric." —New York Times Book Review
Reviews
An imaginative, yet unwieldy story
4By cclay1991One of the most refreshing concepts for a novel that I’ve come across in a while. The initial premise is so thought provoking that it warrants more - more developed characters and a more developed world. Easily could’ve been a trilogy or a 700+ page epic. As the reader, you can sense that without those extra pages the author struggles to contain a MASSIVE idea within the character development and story arc of a ~400 page book. Regardless, it’s a worthwhile read.Good story
3By HeatherNSenterA mind bending concept to be sure. The narrative and characters are the real star.Astoundingly bad.
1By LucyMargartJohnRemarkably little thought has gone into the world building in this novel. The characters are unbelievably simplistic and the changes they go through are rushed and psychologically unbelievable. An interesting concept handled clumsily with little to no character development. I wish an intelligent, thoughtful author like Ursula K. Le Guin had written this, she might of come up with something with an iota of authenticity , truth, or reflection in to. In the second half of the book, a graphic depiction of a man desiring rape and abuse is especially bizarre, since the man is at this point meant to be seen as in the position of and experiencing the emotions of modern day women. Obscene, shallow, and disappointing. Also, the depiction on nuns was comically inaccurate. It was as if someone were to write about eastern religion based solely on the cartoon “Avatar”. Absolutely terrible.Exciting, thrilling and well-written
5By real_megbradyExcellent. Must-read. Couldn’t put it down.Thought provoking
5By Bniboo2And powerful. In many ways.Great book
5By arantxa.navaThis is great story, it took me to a different present. I felt the power growing on each chapter. Thank you for writing this.Amazing
5By eveee8236826Any dislikes or negative reviews of the violence portrayed must be written by those who turn a blind eye on our current reality today or lack the imagination to think of a world different than their own conditioning. Thank you to the author for writing this book.The Power
1By LC376Good concept but poor executionSuch a good read!
5By ShewhotravelsRead this book.Excellent fictional look at a women’s world
4By kaykaybean13Loved the imagination and the very real gender reversal in this story. Hunger Games meets the Handmaids Tale!
