I Who Have Never Known Men Paperback – January 1, 2019

Book Review: I Who Have Never Known Men⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"I Who Have Never Known Men" is a captivating exploration of life and the complexities of relationships, earning every bit of my five-star rating. The narrative presents a unique premise where women live in isolation from men but was around them and allowing for an introspection that is both profound and enlightening.The author skillfully weaves together a tapestry of thought-provoking quotes that linger long after reading. The main character's detachment from relationships with the other women is particularly fascinating. Rather than suffering from loneliness, this women embraces their existence, finding joy within their limited interactions. This unusual perspective on companionship challenges conventional notions of dependency in relationships.Each scene unfolds like a new page in an intriguing storybook, bringing fresh insights and experiences that keep the reader engaged. The imaginative world-building raises interesting questions: How would their lives differ if men were involved? Is the protagonist truly the only one on her planet? The deliberate choice to withhold her name adds an intriguing layer of mystique."I Who Have Never Known Men" encourages reflection on the nature of connection, love, and self-discovery, making it a thought-provoking read that stays with you. It's a fresh and imaginative portrayal of a world unbound by typical societal norms. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique literary experience!

Pretty good existential book. Reads really well. There unfortunately isn't really any kind of closure or explanation at the end so if that bothers you, beware. But it's cool to explore the different themes this book explores, including what constitutes being human and the meaning of life, etc. The small questions.

2.5 stars. I finished this little book in 2 days, it was interesting and somewhat enjoyable read, and thought provoking, but mostly for the wrong and unintentional reasons. I don't understand all the five star reviews, as I found it very problematic as a novel.The major problems are with the framing and writing style. The narrator reveals in the first few of pages that she is alone and dying and is writing the story of what happened to her. As a very young child, with no memories of a before, she is imprisoned in a cage with a group of 40 women. Guards who never speak to them patrol the outside.A little bit spoliery, but not much:They are not allowed to touch each other, and the women don't interact much or talk much to the child, so that she mostly understands through listening to them. They have nothing other than food and bedding. However, despite all this, the narrator is now writing reflectively, with a highly developed vocabulary, about her past. For me this broke the fourth wall and the immersion in the book. I was unable to suspend my disbelief.Later there is some logic to how she could have begun to understand more about the world in which we live, and learn rudimentary reading skills. But to think that she understood what she did, could reflect on abstract concepts in the way she did, and use the extensive vocabulary that she did, is unbelievable even given her later experiences. I have a PhD in Psycho-Linguistics, study children's language development, and all that I have studied and read would not lead to a person with the experiences the protagonist had, being able to write and reason as eloquently as this, or being able to read the few books it is later mentioned she has access to.Also, many people have seen this as a feminist novel, talking about the subjugation of women. And while I agree there are discussions of menstruation, wombs, the importance of children to women, I don't agree it is about the subjugation of women.Spoilers here:When they find other cages, they are just as likely to be men as women. So this is not something done just to women, but to both sexes equally. Neither are the women sexually abused or interfered with as women in any way.I also, take issue with the talk that they are not on Earth. They seem to quickly jump to this conclusion, with very little firm evidence. While later the years of walking through the wilderness, with a lack of seasons and winter, make this likely, there, are other possible explanations as to why they are somewhere that might not be Earth as they know it. They could be in a computer simulation for instance. It could all be a dream by the protagonist who is in a comma. These are as likely explanations as being on another planet. Perhaps even more so, as they can explain why the women who remember other things about their lives in imprisonment (despite a few years being possibly drugged, making the events that lead up to imprisonment and early years blurry), don't recall space exploration, or anything like that. It would also explain why the electricity and water remain on and everything continues working for more than 40 years without apparent maintenance. They and we cannot conclude anything about where they are from the evidence provided.It is a philosophical book, and an interesting book. It made me think, although mostly about what was wrong with the book, and how it could have been written and framed differently to tell the same story but in a more immersive and believable was. So glad I read it, but don't recommend it, and don't understand the many 4 and 5 star reviews.

Book itself was great quality. I chose this for my book club and everyone enjoyed it very much. It has been so long since I read a book that truly captivated me like this one. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are in a reading slump.

Conditions of the book were overall great however, the book’s plot leaves you thinking. It is a dystopian fiction but a possibility.

This book is definitely something I will re-read over and over again. It makes you think and causes you to evaluate and keep reevaluating the human experience, especially when you had everything and when you have nothing and what becomes something despite the circumstances you are placed in. It holds a lot of compassion amidst the cruelty of their situation and the landscape they find themselves in. Growth from all members, especially in the protagonist. It’s such a good book.

8/10. This novel was such an introspection on what it truly means to be human while also touching on the meaning of community

This was a very good read. This was recommended by a nurse when I was having a procedure or talking about books and I downloaded it. And wow I could not put it down and leave so many questions. But that's the art of the book is that I let my imagination take over and I just let it run wild. Definitely would recommend this book.