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Femlandia

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you're into dystopian fiction with a dark and thrilling twist, "Femlandia" will keep you glued to the page. The premise - a women-only safe haven in a collapsed society - keeps things interesting for fans of speculative, feminist literature. Dalcher tackles bold ideas about power, society, and gender through strong, complex female protagonists, making this a must-read for those who loved "Vox" or Margaret Atwood's works. If you enjoy books that challenge your thinking and keep you on edge, this one's for you.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers were put off by the book's heavy-handed approach and lack of subtlety, feeling the characters were more like caricatures than real people. If you crave nuanced, deeply developed characters or prefer lighter reads, this might not be a good fit. The plot is dark and disturbing, touching on difficult topics, which could be overwhelming for some. Additionally, those seeking a more feel-good or optimistic dystopia, or who want intricate worldbuilding, might walk away disappointed.

Disturbing, provocative, and utterly gripping, "Femlandia" delivers a chilling yet thought-provoking feminist dystopia - definitely not for the faint of heart, but unputdownable for those who love their fiction dark and intense.

About:

"Femlandia" by Christina Dalcher is a dark and disturbing dystopian novel that follows Miranda and her daughter Emma as they seek refuge in a women-only colony called Femlandia. The story delves into the collapse of society, the struggles of motherhood, and the horrors faced in a feminist utopia turned dystopian nightmare. The book is described as thought-provoking, full of twists, and eerie, with complex female characters navigating a world filled with danger, abuse, and unsettling secrets.

Miranda's journey to Femlandia unveils the dark realities of the colony, where no men are allowed, yet babies are being born. As Miranda uncovers the disturbing truth behind the community's existence, she is forced to confront the extreme measures taken to create a seemingly perfect but horrifying society. The book tackles themes of survival, motherhood, feminism, and the consequences of seeking refuge in a place that may not be the sanctuary it promises to be.

Characters:

The characters include strong female figures, though some are perceived as lacking depth and being more like caricatures.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and lacks subtlety, leaving room for more character depth and scene setting.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores a dystopian reality where a mother and daughter seek safety in a women-only colony, which ultimately reveals itself to be a terrifying environment.

Setting:

The setting is a post-apocalyptic world, highlighting a women-only commune as a central location.

Pacing:

The pacing of the book maintains reader engagement through thrilling twists and turns.

Notes:

Femlandia is about a dystopian society after the collapse of the American government.
The main character, Miranda, is a newly widowed pregnant mother.
Miranda and her daughter Emma seek safety in a women-only commune called Femlandia.
Femlandia was founded by Miranda's estranged mother before the apocalypse.
The commune initially seems like a safe haven but has disturbing secrets.
No boys, not even baby boys, are allowed in Femlandia, leading to unsettling reproduction methods.
Miranda has serious reservations about Femlandia's ideology.
The book contains themes of economic collapse and societal breakdown.
Readers find the book both compelling and horrifying, with strong female characters.
Critics mention that the character development and depth could have been improved.
The book is noted for its dark and unsettling themes, including child abuse.
Some reviews suggest that the colony represents a problematic version of feminism.
Despite its flaws, the story is seen as both thought-provoking and gripping.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains high content warnings, including child abuse, emotional abuse, and themes of violence.

From The Publisher:

One of PureWow's 9 Books We Can't Wait to Read in October!

A chilling look into an alternate near future where a woman and her daughter seek refuge in a women-only colony, only to find that the safe haven they were hoping for is the most dangerous place they could be.

Miranda Reynolds always thought she would rather die than live in Femlandia. But that was before the country sank into total economic collapse and her husband walked out in the harshest, most permanent way, leaving her and her sixteen-year-old daughter with nothing. The streets are full of looting, robbing, and killing, and Miranda and Emma no longer have much choice-either starve and risk getting murdered, or find safety. And so they set off to Femlandia, the women-only colony Miranda's mother, Win Somers, established decades ago.

Although Win is no longer in the spotlight, her protégé Jen Jones has taken Femlandia to new heights: The off-grid colonies are secluded, self-sufficient, and thriving-and Emma is instantly enchanted by this idea of a safe haven. But something is not right. There are no men allowed in the colony, but babies are being born-and they're all girls. Miranda discovers just how the all-women community is capable of enduring, and it leads her to question how far her mother went to create this perfect, thriving, horrifying society.

October 2021
332 pages

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (8):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
9 months

I liked the sound of this and was rather excited to see how it all played out. However I was severely disappointed. Didn't find the topics to be handled as well as I had hoped

 
 
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