I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Vox by Christina Dalcher Published by Penguin on August 21, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Women, Dystopian, Fiction, Political, Thrillers
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Women are not allowed to speak more than 100 words per day. A counter on their wrist monitors their speech, inflicting pain should they go over that limit.
It doesn't end there. Women are then forced to quit their jobs. They are forbidden to read; all books are locked up. Even mail is locked up, access only granted to husbands. Young girls are no longer taught how to read and write, only how to cook and take care of their families.
Dr. Jean McClellan is tormented by this new fate women have been dealt. Once a neurologist involved with important research, she's now forced to abandon her education and revert to a voiceless, opinion-less, housewife.
Jean cannot continue to remain silent. She cannot continue to watch her children grow up in a world in which Society has little respect for women. She's determined to get her voice back, no matter the cost.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this title since I first heard about it in the early part of this year. The premise sounded phenomenal, quite timely given the state of our current government. Alas, my hope and expectations were diminished upon reading this novel.
Yes, the premise is thought-provoking and intense. Unfortunately, it is too plausible. Rather than engaging me, this novel left me feeling angry and frustrated. I read to escape, and in this case, I hoped to find a hopeful resolution. I needed that, to get away from what is happening in our country right now. In this case, that didn’t happen. I turned the last pages just as frustrated as I was when I started reading.
That’s not to say there wasn’t sparks of change and hope. They did exist but were not as far-stretching and universal as I hoped they would be. There wasn’t one profound moment that moved me, that hit me in my core.
I don’t necessarily fault the author in this case. Perhaps had it been written in a more positive time in our society it would have affected me differently. Instead, it has me reaching for a more hopeful and uplifting title, something to get me out of this negative funk.
Do I recommend this title? Not now…..perhaps wait a few years (or perhaps the end of a presidential term!?) to pick it up. Reach for Handmaid’s Tale instead.
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