Select language, opens an overlay

Comment

LoganLib_Sheridan
Jan 09, 2021LoganLib_Sheridan rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I thought the feminist message was a bit hammered into the reader. It felt like it was a bit for younger readers too which is fine but you know, not for me. I think the message was just the right amount of complex, focused enough not to be to fragmented and complex enough to give some thought. I think Erin and Amira's characters show the complexity of feminism and being a woman. They know there is a problem but aren't sure how to handle it. Erin feels like the patriarchy is an insurmountable obstacle and refuses help every time Sophia offers, even when it's proven Sophia has made it to safety. Amira has found a way to exist outside of patriarchy if she wishes, it's not 'her' problem. She's playing both sides. I like that the girls use knowledge and physical defense to save themselves. Sophia also didn't have to be told the patriarchy was bad, she knew and she stills fights despite her grandmother dying in the fight against the patriarchy. It was interesting how different men were portrayed. There were men who didn't think the system was correct but stood by and didn't do anything to stop it because they felt powerless or they just didn't think it was bad enough for them to stop. There were men who worked the system being the worst human they could be. The story also deals with sexuality and in this world both lesbians and gays do not have the same problems. Sophia can't just not attend the balls and not marry someone. Gay men on the hand have the option of not attending the balls and living out their lives as single (or 'single') men. I like how the book shows the use of story and perspective in framing feminism and the patriarchy. Cinderella is originally told from the princes perspective and then they tell it from Cinderellas. The fairy godmother is also a witch depending on whose perspective you're reading from. This story definitely makes me re-evaluate all of the fairytales for who is portrayed as the bad guy and how are they portrayed as the bad guy. What message is this story being used to tell? I think we need to question fairytales more.