The Power, by Naomi Alderman

The Power by Naomi Alderman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Five stars for creative premise and provocative themes, two stars for character development and plot, plus trigger warnings for rape and graphic violence. I really wanted to love this. Everyone loved it — my copy even has a sticker that says it was one of Barack Obama’s favorite reads of 2017! I was excited to read a book that was praised so universally, and I was naturally drawn to a world in which the power dynamic between genders is reversed by the development of electrical power in teenaged girls (i.e. ability to cast jolts of lightening from their hands). The girls then have the ability to awaken the power in older women such that before long all women can take down male opponents with a flash of electric current strategically thrown to stun, maim or kill as the situation warrants, or, as dictated by whim. My problem with this book is its devotion to pointing out every possible example of sexism in service to the theme, to the exclusion of genuine character and plot development (e.g., everything from men telling women they should smile more, claiming credit for their work, or dismissing them as too “emotional,” to using them as sex slaves and victims for gang rape — this all gets played out in the reverse). What makes it hard to read is that instead of a fairer, kinder, gentler world, the new matriarchy in this dystopia is every bit as sexist, brutal and violent as the current patriarchy. Provocative for sure, but not enjoyable to read. With most dystopian novels there is a character with whom to empathize, someone to root for. The mostly female characters in this novel all tilt towards deception and corruption. The only somewhat sympathetic character is a male journalist who doesn’t get a lot of play in the story and whose fate remains unresolved. The alternating POVs distract from a unified story. I genuinely admire the author’s creativity in constructing this utterly upended gender universe, I just wish there was something besides that to like or feel good about. I guess that’s more my problem than the author’s, but be forewarned that this is dystopian through and through. ~ Ms Dimmick

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Americanah, by Chimandanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very well written story, and thought provoking, but in the end I almost resented the time investment required to get through it. I appreciated the insight into race in America as observed through the lens of a young, accomplished African immigrant woman, and I especially enjoyed the contrast with Nigerian culture, but I never really warmed to the protagonist. Ifem struck me as judgmental and superior without adequate empathy for the people who loved her. I found myself wondering why she inspired such deep devotion from at least three wonderful men, each of whom she needlessly and thoughtlessly wounded. They deserved better. Then again, perhaps that was what I was supposed to feel. Perhaps the author was also conflicted about Ifem? A worthy read for those exploring race in America, but prepare yourself for a significant commitment. ~Ms Dimmick

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Student Review: A People’s History of American Empire, by Howard Zinn (reviewed by Dan B.)

A People’s History of American Empire by Howard Zinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As we all know, America is the land of the free, a land of wonder and pure accomplishments. It is the only country in the world that has never done wrong without a good reason. Or at least that’s what our political leadership wants us to think. In reality, America is a country like any other. It does good and it does bad, and if you’ve ever decided to read one of Howard Zinn’s books, you’re definitely not reading for the good. But that does not mean this book is bad. In fact, Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of American Empire is a thought-provoking collection of some of America’s darkest secrets.

Journeying through its past, readers will learn of the accomplishments America does not want you to know, and the reasons for which said deeds have been pushed so far out of our view. Illustrated in the simplistic design of Mike Konopacki’s brilliant cartoons, every page is rich with flavor and emotion. The book starts with its training wheels ripped off, with Zinn putting his views at the forefront of this text, and they are quite interesting.

With our story starting at the beginning of the 21st century, we find Zinn outraged by the 9/11 bombings of the time, but not for the reasons one would normally expect. He didn’t curse the bombers or scream for some war of revenge. No he screams for a different reason altogether. He screams instead at the United States’ refusal to learn from their past. He screams, in all the honesty of his mind, that, “[The U.S. Government] learned nothing, absolutely nothing, from the [war and terrorism] of the 20th century!” (3). Zinn, of course, was commenting not on the bombings themselves, but instead the address President Bush would later give, an address that promised the bombing of the very same terrorists who bombed us. And with that, the horrors of the 20th century started once more.

“But what horrors?” You may ask. “World War 1? 2? Afghanistan?” You ask again, and while you are correct in some ways, you still misunderstand. It’s not the wars themselves that caused the 20th century’s terror. No, it was much more. The true horror of the 20th century was caused by its leaders. In particular, it was its drunk leaders. Leaders so drunk on their own power and ambitions that they would do anything to climb the social ladder. Massacres and sabotage of innocent populations was but a small fraction of their misdeeds. They were the true horrors of the 20th century, and if you wish to learn more, about America, about secrets or about the 20th century in general, then this book is for you. But don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself and discover A People’s History of American Empire. ~Student: Dan B.

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Student Review: Bossypants, by Tina Fey (reviewed by Katherine K.)

Bossypants by Tina Fey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When faced with the difficulty of picking a good book to read, one can never go wrong choosing Bossypants by Tina Fey. This book is both hilarious and heartfelt. Tina Fey writes about her life getting to where she is now and how her past has made her who she is. From theater camps, to improv groups, to SNL, and to 30 Rock, Fey gives the reader a sense of understanding as to how she became a producer, comedian and actress. Tina Fey does not limit her audience to just women or theatrical people, she appeals to everyone. Tina Fey does not limit her audience by telling stories and jokes everyone can relate to whether that being men, women or teens. The book does seem to appeal more to adults by the language and jokes. Jokes about politics and parenting make the book attract more adults and less teens. Teens do not have some of the experiences in life that Tina Fey talks about making the jokes hard to understand. This book should be read by anyone that is interested in going into the television business. Tina Fey talks about her life as a producer for SNL and the struggles behind having a family and working. She talks about the balancing act a working parent has to do and how hard it is, making the book relatable to working parents. Overall, Bossypants is a hilarious. Tina Fey does an amazing job making the book appeal to everyone through comical jokes. ~ Student: Katherine K.

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Student Review: Nisei Daughter, by Monica Itoi Sone (reviewed by Helen H.)

Nisei Daughter by Monica Itoi Sone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Everyone knows that during WWII, Germany’s treatment on its prisoners were gruesome but what about the other side? In history class we constantly hear the descriptive horrid conditions that the Germans and Japanese inflicted on its enemies but we never hear about how America treated their prisoners during WWII. What kind of treatment did the people in America who had German or Japanese blood in them received? In the novel, Nisei Daughter by Monica Sone, it gives a small glimpse on the difficulty of dealing with two cultures; especially when those two cultures go to war against each other. Monica always had a hard time balancing her Japanese heritage and being an American. Throughout the novel we see how her family struggled against discrimination when they were renting houses or getting jobs. That discrimination and racism worsen when Pearl Harbor happened. Being Japanese, Monica was viewed as an enemy by a place she called her home. The government striped her of all her possessions and forced her and her family into camps where the people suffered from the harsh weather to food poisoning. Many may be shocked that this happened in America but it just shows that we need to know more about America and its ugly secrets. This is a great book for showing the journey of finding a balance within yourself between two cultures that are very different from each other. If you like books on assimilation and 2nd generation immigrants then other books you may be interested in are Bento box in the Heartland by Linda Furiya and Daughter of the Samurai by Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto. If you are more interested in struggles and the injustice America had on its minority then I would recommend To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Land by Mildred D. Taylor. ~ Student: Helen H.

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The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Women, beware. This is not a Hunger Games-style dystopia. It is much more disturbing than that, because it is so much more feasible. Though written in 1986, this cautionary tale for women resonates highly today as, unbelievably, we find ourselves revisiting women’s reproductive rights issues that were supposed to have been settled decades ago. Welcome to the Republic of Gilead, formed after the entire U.S. Congress was gunned down by religious fundamentalists. Before that, life was much we experience it today for our protagonist and her family. She was married, had a young daughter, and had work that she enjoyed. The first sign that her life was about to change forever was when all of the women in her office were summarily fired. Now she has become “offred,” Handmaid to the Commander, charged with producing his child on behalf of his wife through a bizarre and degrading ritual in which all three parties participate. This is the role of all the Handmaids, who dress in red habits and use their ever-rarer fertility to populate Gilead, a totalitarian society where women’s roles vary but are completely subjugated to men. There are rumors of escape to Canada, but who can Offred trust? Though at times slow-moving, this is a thought-provoking read that will stay with you for a long time. ~Ms. Dimmick

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Burned, by Ellen Hopkins

Burned by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pattyn (named for the General by an abusive father who has named all 6 daughters after Generals) is 17, Mormon, and beginning to question the teachings of her church. The beauty and emotional impact of this story comes from its unusual form for YA fiction: verse. The themes of religion, sex, feminism, love, abuse, alcoholism, and more are wrapped in creative verse that flows so smoothly and eloquently that the reader skims through the deceptively short book (it looks a lot longer than it is) in no time at all. Brace yourself for an intense and emotional ride.

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Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray

Mrs. Dimmick appears in Beauty Queens

Mrs. Dimmick meets the author

It’s very hard to say what I thought about this book. First, don’t judge the book by its cover. I’m certain that a lot of people wouldn’t dare pick it because of the cover. Contrary to your expectations, it’s a highly feminist book, in a utopian way. Unfortunately, it reads a little too much like a screenplay to take it seriously as literature.

It’s hard to pin down exactly what Libba Bray is going for on screen, but the best I can come up with is: Pirates of the Caribbean meet Thelma and Louise (or maybe The Golden Girls, but much younger), meet Austin Powers, meet Wonder Woman. Teen Dream contestants crash on a supposedly deserted island and must use their very rusty wits to survive, as their charm will get them nowhere. Chapter by chapter each shallow beauty is revealed as a damaged child whose potential has been squelched potential by our chauvinist, materialistic American society. Everyone but Adina, the school journalist who is participating in hopes of writing a scathing, judging exposé. The girls fight, then bond, then fall in love with a bunch of TV pirates, then prevail over the megalomaniac Ladybird, head of the pageant, the “Corporation,” and aspiring leader of the free world. Stereotypes abound only to be broken, including an immigrant Indian cum Valley Girl, African American future Surgeon General, tough yet sensitive lesbian from downtrodden Flint, MI, Deaf girl struggling with her sexual identity, and stunning and self-possessed transgendered girl, to name a few. The writing is witty, snarky, light, moralistic (in a farcical way) and deeply feminist. Geared towards high school women, there is nothing too objectionable for the precocious middle school girl questioning society’s pressure on her to conform and be beautiful above all else.