Helpful Score: 2
4.0 out of 5 stars Red: the color of blood, the color of murder, the color of sin...
Hannah Payne wakes up in a cell after being injected with a virus that has turned her skin completely red -- her crime: she aborted her illegitimate pregnancy in a new American society where that is illegal. She will not name the father of her unborn child, a famous married minister, nor the abortionist, and is charged and convicted of murder. What happens to Hannah when she is released from the temporary post-chroming seclusion and is thrust back into a society where she is stigmatized and humiliated by everyone who sees her as a Red? Prevented from returning to her home by parents who will not allow her to live with them, Hannah must navigate a scary road to regain her dignity and make a new life for herself in a world where there is no longer separation between church and state -- and no protection for the Chromes.
I've just paged through all the wonderful reviews written on this product page about When She Woke. I agree wholeheartedly with those who suggest that you obtain and read this book if you like dystopian, futuristic novels about family, religious controversies, crime and punishment, relationships, and self-discovery. The author weaves a very interesting tale -- yes it does have themes similar to those found in some of the classic literature mentioned in other reviews, but it brings all of those together in a new and very thought-provoking way. This would be a fantastic book for a book group discussion, and though probably more appealing to women, I'd love to hear from any men who read it as well.
I will be recommending this!
Hannah Payne wakes up in a cell after being injected with a virus that has turned her skin completely red -- her crime: she aborted her illegitimate pregnancy in a new American society where that is illegal. She will not name the father of her unborn child, a famous married minister, nor the abortionist, and is charged and convicted of murder. What happens to Hannah when she is released from the temporary post-chroming seclusion and is thrust back into a society where she is stigmatized and humiliated by everyone who sees her as a Red? Prevented from returning to her home by parents who will not allow her to live with them, Hannah must navigate a scary road to regain her dignity and make a new life for herself in a world where there is no longer separation between church and state -- and no protection for the Chromes.
I've just paged through all the wonderful reviews written on this product page about When She Woke. I agree wholeheartedly with those who suggest that you obtain and read this book if you like dystopian, futuristic novels about family, religious controversies, crime and punishment, relationships, and self-discovery. The author weaves a very interesting tale -- yes it does have themes similar to those found in some of the classic literature mentioned in other reviews, but it brings all of those together in a new and very thought-provoking way. This would be a fantastic book for a book group discussion, and though probably more appealing to women, I'd love to hear from any men who read it as well.
I will be recommending this!
Helpful Score: 1
I can't say this book is particularly well-written, but I found myself strangely captivated. A very loose twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "A Scarlet Letter," this book has a more futuristic tone. Rather than imprison criminals, "When She Woke" takes place in a time where conviction takes on the form of melachroming. Human skins are tinted based on the severity of the crime they committed. For example, green skin means the person is an arsonist or a burglar, and red skin means the person committed murder.
Hannah Payne was impregnated by a public figure, but does not want the man to be known. So she has a secret abortion, is caught, and therefore chromed as a red.
What annoys me about Jordan's style of writing in this novel is the fact that the majority of the story is supposed to have a futuristic tone. However, there are random tidbits of what seems like her wanting to be Hawthorne. It's as if she is still trying to find her own style and voice, and the result is this book seeming to be more like a first novel.
The ending left me feeling like there were small holes in the plot, and Jordan threw some lines in just to throw them in.
With that said, I couldn't help but root for Hannah Payne to become the strong, independent woman she needed to be. Jordan throws in A LOT of religious quotes and questioning, but surprisingly, I didn't find it overpowering.
"When She Woke" starts off a little slow and strange, but as you get into it, it becomes strange, creepy and captivating. You will be creeped out; you will raise your eyebrows and say: "Really?"; you will wonder why you really just can't put it down.
Hannah Payne was impregnated by a public figure, but does not want the man to be known. So she has a secret abortion, is caught, and therefore chromed as a red.
What annoys me about Jordan's style of writing in this novel is the fact that the majority of the story is supposed to have a futuristic tone. However, there are random tidbits of what seems like her wanting to be Hawthorne. It's as if she is still trying to find her own style and voice, and the result is this book seeming to be more like a first novel.
The ending left me feeling like there were small holes in the plot, and Jordan threw some lines in just to throw them in.
With that said, I couldn't help but root for Hannah Payne to become the strong, independent woman she needed to be. Jordan throws in A LOT of religious quotes and questioning, but surprisingly, I didn't find it overpowering.
"When She Woke" starts off a little slow and strange, but as you get into it, it becomes strange, creepy and captivating. You will be creeped out; you will raise your eyebrows and say: "Really?"; you will wonder why you really just can't put it down.
There is really not much bad that can be said about this book. The storyline kept my attention throughout. It's kind of frightening, with the direction our world is moving at this time, that something like this happening actually seems possible. Once again a riveting story about government control of our choices. If one does not like to read any referencs to God in books, this is not for you. Just hope it will not stop most from giving this book a try. Worth the read. I will watch for more from this author..checking out Mudhound. :-)
Sometimes you don't know whether or not you like a book until you reach the last few pages. This book was like that for me. After I read Mudbound, I was so delighted by Jordan's writing that I decided to read this dystopian thriller. So different from Mudbound, it is almost as good and I think this young writer is one to watch.
Living in a world where dedication to God and the rules are dictated by the church, Hannah finds herself seduced by a well known and popular minister who is married. Not only is it a sin but it's a crime and because she loves him so much she has an abortion which is considered murder. Of course, she is captured and is then injected with a red color which identifies the type of crime she committed to society. It's called chroming. She has refused to identify her lover or the abortion doctor who was so kind to her.
After her humiliating stay in a cell which is broadcast to all who wish to see, Hannah's father takes her to a rehabilitation facility. The stay is not what it is advertised to be. It is demeaning and destructive to the emotions and self-worth of those who live there. When Hannah objects to what is said about a friend who has left of her own free will she, too, decides to leave. On the outside they search for a place to live. Hannah's lover has given her $100,000 to help her. She resents his generosity even though she needs the money.
Her troubles are just beginning. Can she find her friend, Kayla? Can she survive on the outside? After her encounter with The Fist, a militaristic church group determined to stamp out any blots to society, she has her doubts. She is rescued from The Fist by a group whose goal is to help women who have abortions. The fear, the terror, and the violence to those like her continues. Can Hannah escape? Can she live a normal life? To do so, she must reach Canada where the chroming process can be reversed.
Living in a world where dedication to God and the rules are dictated by the church, Hannah finds herself seduced by a well known and popular minister who is married. Not only is it a sin but it's a crime and because she loves him so much she has an abortion which is considered murder. Of course, she is captured and is then injected with a red color which identifies the type of crime she committed to society. It's called chroming. She has refused to identify her lover or the abortion doctor who was so kind to her.
After her humiliating stay in a cell which is broadcast to all who wish to see, Hannah's father takes her to a rehabilitation facility. The stay is not what it is advertised to be. It is demeaning and destructive to the emotions and self-worth of those who live there. When Hannah objects to what is said about a friend who has left of her own free will she, too, decides to leave. On the outside they search for a place to live. Hannah's lover has given her $100,000 to help her. She resents his generosity even though she needs the money.
Her troubles are just beginning. Can she find her friend, Kayla? Can she survive on the outside? After her encounter with The Fist, a militaristic church group determined to stamp out any blots to society, she has her doubts. She is rescued from The Fist by a group whose goal is to help women who have abortions. The fear, the terror, and the violence to those like her continues. Can Hannah escape? Can she live a normal life? To do so, she must reach Canada where the chroming process can be reversed.
I was intrigued by the concept of this book. a bit of Handmaid's Tale and The Scarlet Letter. Women were the enslaved and women were the warriors and the men were still all powerful over the weak in a future America. Concept giving a virus and an under the skin tracker, the government knowing your every move, by what you buy, who you call and the government was the police. A future I dont want to see. This book is illustrates what could happen in a fanatical religious America. Could not stop reading, even through the gratuitous sex parts. I would recommend reading this book. The ending gives me hope for a sequel.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This book (loosely based on Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter) is compelling and frightening. It has many disturbing elements in this dystopian world. Hannah, the protagonist, wakes up in a prison cell as a "Red", where her every move is watched. The story unfolds in her present consequences and her thoughts of the past and how she came to be there. The book crosses into uncomfortable territory with everything from religious fanaticism at it's worst to abortion, homosexuality, vigilante groups. I liked the first half of the book, but the second half seemed to become more about who God was or wasn't as Hannah struggled with her instilled beliefs. I'm not sure the author could decide what she wanted to say and in the end I didn't like the direction it took and I felt it could have been more complete.
This was a great read, a book I will not soon forget! A story about a woman accused of a crime, some time in the future (but how far in the future?), when people accused of minor crimes don't go to jail but get their skin 'dyed' instead. Different color skin for different crimes. It is about her finding her true self, amongst believers and non-believers, violence and non-, family and friends. It really gave me alot to think about.
Ok, this is not my review but Jenny's off of Amazon but she wrote what I was thinking so well that I had to re-post.
The first half of the book was great, and although it was a little confusing that they were in this super-modern world and yet dressing and acting like Little House on the Prarie people, I was hooked on the opening sequence of Hannah waking up as a "chrome", and looking back on the love affair that led her to that state. Forbidden love, sacrifice, betrayal, adventure...I was anxious to hear more and see where the story would go.
Unfortunately, halfway through the book the story takes a strange turn and goes down hill. It's as if the author decided at the halfway point that she wanted to just abandon the direction the story was going and turn it into a completely different story. That's how it felt, like two books in one. First half, tragic love story, second half, action/adventure where woman abandons her religion and becomes a fugitive (and likes it!)
I, like some of the other reviewers, also did not like or understand the sudden lesbian lust that occured towards the end of the book. Yes she was lonely and all but come on.
Also, it was rediculous that throughout the story she was desperate to get back to Aiden, and yet when she finally reunites with him at the end, her attitude is basically, "well it was nice to see you again, but I gotta go". Maybe it's just me, but that's the impression I got. She seemed more interested in her new friends than the love of her life.
So, the second half was full of strange parts and seemed to just drag on to a let down of an ending. I think I see where the author was trying to go with it but it just didn't work. Not for me.
I will not be recommending this one
The first half of the book was great, and although it was a little confusing that they were in this super-modern world and yet dressing and acting like Little House on the Prarie people, I was hooked on the opening sequence of Hannah waking up as a "chrome", and looking back on the love affair that led her to that state. Forbidden love, sacrifice, betrayal, adventure...I was anxious to hear more and see where the story would go.
Unfortunately, halfway through the book the story takes a strange turn and goes down hill. It's as if the author decided at the halfway point that she wanted to just abandon the direction the story was going and turn it into a completely different story. That's how it felt, like two books in one. First half, tragic love story, second half, action/adventure where woman abandons her religion and becomes a fugitive (and likes it!)
I, like some of the other reviewers, also did not like or understand the sudden lesbian lust that occured towards the end of the book. Yes she was lonely and all but come on.
Also, it was rediculous that throughout the story she was desperate to get back to Aiden, and yet when she finally reunites with him at the end, her attitude is basically, "well it was nice to see you again, but I gotta go". Maybe it's just me, but that's the impression I got. She seemed more interested in her new friends than the love of her life.
So, the second half was full of strange parts and seemed to just drag on to a let down of an ending. I think I see where the author was trying to go with it but it just didn't work. Not for me.
I will not be recommending this one
