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bookasaurusbex 's review for:

Born of No Woman by Franck Bouysse
3.0

I am very grateful to have been sent a copy of this book by @randomthingstours and @wnbooks to review. #Gifted


This translated fiction is a dark tale that is told through a wide range of narrative voices - snippets from both male and female perspectives. Each narrative section is written in a completely different style, indicating the writer's dedication to his craft.

A dark story that explores the true depravity and injustice of human nature, with haunting foreshadowing throughout that is definitely not a comforting read or one to read if you are faint of heart.

Content warnings include: graphic sexual assault, captivity, graphic violence, gaslighting, mental deterioration and forced insemination.

The setting of this book is incredibly haunting and the lighter characters are very relatable - despite some of their errors in judgement. The nature of their humanity is explored for all to see in the snippets we see from their minds.

I really struggled to read some of this book- not because I'm a stranger to novels with dark themes but because of the way this was written. Something just didn't sit right with me about this being a chronicle of sexual and emotional abuse suffered by a girl from age 14 - but the author is a man. What do you think about this?