Non 1001 Book Review: The Power Naomi Alderman

In less than two weeks, we’ll be starting our winter reading challenge. Our challenge page is currently up and in the next 5 days we’ll be updating the page with our official game board. If you want to join in for a fun chutes and ladders based reading game, sign up in the comments on this page and send me your TBR list. In the meantime, we’ll continue with our regular book reviews and features. Book Worm read a book she would like to recommend to our readers: The Power by Naomi Alderman. Here’s her review…

The Power by Naomi Alderman
Published in: 2016
Reviewed by: Book Worm
Rating: ★★★★★
Find it here: The Power

This ARC was provided by Penguin Books UK (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: In The Power the world is a recognisable place: there’s a rich Nigerian kid who larks around the family pool; a foster girl whose religious parents hide their true nature; a local American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But something vital has changed, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power – they can cause agonising pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world changes utterly.

This extraordinary novel by Naomi Alderman, a Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year and Granta Best of British writer, is not only a gripping story of how the world would change if power was in the hands of women but also exposes, with breath-taking daring, our contemporary world.

Book Worm’s Thoughts: Wow I really, really loved this book! I finished it several days ago and I still keep thinking about it. I toyed with my rating because based on sheer enjoyment and storytelling this was a definite 5 star read. I then started thinking well how does this compare to classic books that I have rated 5 stars? I finally decided, “what the hell, 5 stars.”

This book is heavily influenced by Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale and the author acknowledges this at the end of the book thanking Atwood for her faith and support. Well if it’s good enough for Atwood, it’s good enough for me.

This book looks at what would happen if suddenly (virtually overnight),  the balance of power was tipped in favour of women. Would the world be a better and kinder place, or would power corrupt whoever wields it? After years of oppression and brutality towards women, should the men responsible for that oppression fear for their safety? Who will rise to power in this new world order and can the world survive this change?

The book also asks how far can we trust history — when history is always written by the victors and chroniclers can change the story to suit themselves.

This is a cracking story and well worth reading even if some scenes are uncomfortable to read.

Who would enjoy this? I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good dystopian story, fans of Margaret Atwood, and I would also say those who enjoyed The Hunger Games and who appreciate strong female characters.

Want to try it for yourself? You can find a copy here: The Power

We want to hear from you! Have you read this book? What did you think?