When She Woke discussion

I recently began to read this book and so far its been an okay read, it isn't boring but it isn't too exciting yet. It however continues as a mystery to me. I am still unsure as to why this society believes that is more affective to punish a person by changing the pigment of their skin to a color to represent the crime they have taken part in. But perhaps they feel that it is more affective to a person to be embarrassed and perhaps even drive a person crazy rather than community service. I have yet to read the name of the main character but i do know that so far her skin is now a red pigment. I also have yet to find out what her crime has been, but she has been sentenced to about a month as a red. She is being held in a room with a blinding bright light and mirror walls so that every day she can see herself. Every move she makes is being watch through cameras and even being broadcasted on television. The only things that are censored on the television are of her using the restroom and taking a shower. But although they are not being broadcasted, she is still being watched by security. I hope and think that this book will get a little more exciting and hopefully my questions will be answered after reading a few more chapters.

I enjoyed this book too. At first I thought it was going to be different than Mudbound but as I continued,I felt she was still writing in a way about People and discrimination. This book would make a good book club selection.

I didn't think about that but yes, it is dealing with prejudice and skin color much like Mudbound

Well, it's supposed to be a modern day version of The Scarlet Letter. So, throw in prison overcrowding and the SL twist where public admonishment is worse than prison and you've got this book. But I think it was such a let down. I loved every page and the whole discussion on women's rights and discrimination but what I missed was what should have been a terrifying "underground railroad" type of experience North. When it's rushed into the last 10% of the book, after being built up, it disappointed.

I read When She Woke. It bugged me but I read it all. The author is very much giving us her opinion that this is a women't rights issue unless you are cruel and uncaring, and this is where we are headed.

Cindy wrote: "Well, it's supposed to be a modern day version of The Scarlet Letter. So, throw in prison overcrowding and the SL twist where public admonishment is worse than prison and you've got this book. Bu..."

I agree I felt like it was building up to something more, or epic. Not just closure for her. Good book but ultimately a let down in the end.

As`I was reading the book, the news on TV was all about the republican party attempts to force women who would like to consider abortion to go into FORCED intensive vaginal ultrasound against their doctors recommendations. Is the 2012 republican party reality imitating fiction? or the republican party will push America towards "When she woke" nightmare????

Catherine Johns wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Well, it's supposed to be a modern day version of The Scarlet Letter... " I agree I felt like it was building up to something more, or epic. Not just closure for her. Good book but ultimately a let down in the end.

I completely agree. I think it starts out strong and very interesting. But the end didn't live up to the strong start. But I think it is a thought-provoking scenario, especially these days when politics is making interesting decisions regarding women's reproductive rights. Just imagine if they could use a disease as justification.

I recently finished this book and I feel like it is about many things. The first and foremost being the extreme swinging of the political pendulum to the far right and what society would look like if either side were to be in total control of our country. In the light of the current political situation in the U.S. I think this was a very relevant book to read and take as a reminder that we need a balance of all ideals to make sure that we are not governed by extremes. Ultimately, our country was founded on the idea of freedom, but to total adopt one man's definition of freedom is to deny another man his freedom.

Is this a modern day Scarlet Letter, yes, but there are so many other issues addressed in this book that need attention as well. Another huge theme is the deterioration of one's own sense of humanity and how much or how little it takes to make it unravel.

Very interesting read on many accounts.

Amy wrote: "I recently finished this book and I feel like it is about many things. The first and foremost being the extreme swinging of the political pendulum to the far right and what society would look like ..."

I agree with you. I was very hesitant but since I had read Mudbound I wanted to read this one. Very different but the same. I did like it though.

This book irritated me exactly because I saw it trying to get the response I see in these comments. Oh, yes, this must be the direction in which we're headed. (That's sarcasm.)

I just finished it. It gets really good. I love the surprises I wasn't expecting. Great read. Something different besides vampires and witches (though don't get me wrong I'm enjoying those reads too). Read A Discovery of Witches -All Souls Triology.

One question that bugged the hell out of me when I read the book:

Why didn't Chromes just wear make-up? If you fully make up your face, wear full-covering clothing (turtlenecks, long pants, socks or pantyhose or boots, plus gloves) then your bright coloring can't be seen.

Remember the movie Pleasantville? Where people went from black-and-white to "colored" when they came to new understanding? Here's a clip of putting on make-up to cover it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50IAOn...

So yeah, why couldn't Chromes have just used make-up? Even if it were declared illegal (which the author never mentions) there's clearly a black market around.

Well I am a little late to this, and obviously in the minority, but I was disappointed. If it had been completely dystopian fiction, it would have been better. But she had to make blatant political and societal statements.

In addition to the totally unnecessary detours the author takes, she plants some intriguing detail and then just abandons it. There were so many missed opportunities. And I am not talking about she could have gone here or there. I mean she actually brings something up and then abandons it. The whole Zilpah job and the Fists of Christ, just to name two. She should have taken these further, or left them out. Unnecessary temptations are just annoying.

I agree Christina. I also found it a disappointment after a good start which just led to nowhere really. From about halfway it got a little crazy and I lost interest. Also gave it 2 stars.

I was reminded of a comment that Barbara Kingsolver made in the intro to her wonderful book, The Poisonwood Bible. She writes, "I spent 40 years waiting for the wisdom and maturity to write this book. That I have written it now is proof of neither ..."

I feel that Hillary Jordan had a great idea; it would have been better if she'd put it aside for 10 or 20 years.

P.S. I loved Mudbound, so it's not that I don't value her skills. It's just that I think she wasn't quite ready to tackle When She Woke.

Agreed. Not that I don't appreciate a standalone book, but I thought this should have been a series, or a much longer book. I have no problem reading a 600+ page book. If she had followed through with dropped storylines, I could have disregarded the politics, just as I skipped over the preaching in the Left Behind series.

I think you are right about that. This could make a great series. too much ground to cover in one book.

Thought this book started out great but by the middle I was bored to tears especially the religious side to it, felt it went on and on. In fact I didn't even read the last three chapters, just the last page. Very disappointing.