Book review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

Well hello to you my reader chums! Vox is a fiction novel I was recommended by a friend and once I read the blurb I couldn't wait to get stuck in. A lot of people have said it was similar to The Handmaid's Tale, and after hearing brilliant things about that novel, I was intrigued about Vox.

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Book review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

This book was insightful, addictive, and genuinely blew my mind, and here is my review on it:

Plotline

The book is about Jean McClellan and her view on the change in the world. Jean spends her time in complete silence and is only allowed to say 100 words a day. If she says anymore, then thousands of electricity volts will course through her veins. Overnight the new government has changed everything but only if you're a woman.

Millions of women lose their jobs, bank accounts are frozen, passports are taken away and more shockingly, young girls are unable to read or write. Jean is determined to make a change for every woman including her daughter and reclaim back her voice.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book add to the intensity in the plot. The story is written in snappy short paragraphs with suspense in every chapter that you can't help but feel on edge. Jean is a mother of 4 and her motherly love comes across hugely in the tale and she shows the lengths she will go for her kids. 

Her relationship with her daughter Sonia is heartbreaking as she's the only other girl in the household and Jean struggles with the idea of what will happen if Sonia speaks to much. Their bond is lovely, and it's interesting to read how they communicate without speaking. Steven, her eldest son has a completely different relationship to her other children with Jean as he has opposing views on what she believes in.

Her relationship with her husband Patrick is also an interesting one and that plays out differently throughout the book which you can discover as you read. Other characters like Lorenzo, Lin, Jackie, the neighbours, and scientists in charge play a huge role in developing the plot.

Overall thoughts 

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It was thrilling, addictive, mind-blowing, and honestly at some point shocking. I couldn't fathom some things I was reading, however, I really enjoyed working my way through the plot. It was a book that really made me think about how far we have come as a society in terms of equality, feminism, and human rights but also that there is still more way we can do to smash the patriarchy.

It's certainly one of those books which opened my mind to the scary things that could happen if women lost their voice completely and how life would be incredibly awful, but also sheds light on the fact that this still is a reality for many women across the world who can't share their opinion or express who they are. And, it sheds light on how things were decades/centuries ago when women didn't have any rights at all. It made me feel even more grateful to the women and men, who have stood up for women's rights and fought for change. It's a must-read and I can assure you, you'll love every page.

Ending 

Like any review, I won't give away the ending, however, I will say how fast-paced the last few chapters went in terms of the plot. It was all working at a sudden pace and then suddenly, a few shocking plot twists happened and the book ended on a satisfying note.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3


1 comment

  1. I never heard about this book but from the plotline it sounds truly interesting! I love the idea of women to take back their powerful voices back! Thanks for sharing x

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