Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Algonquin Books (2012), Edition: Reprint, 369 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: Hannah Payne's life has been devoted to church and family, but after her arrest, she awakens to a nightmare: she is lying on a table in a bare room, covered only by a paper gown, with cameras broadcasting her every move to millions at home, for whom observing new Chromes�criminals whose skin color has been genetically altered to match the class of their crime�is a new and sinister form of entertainment. Hannah is a Red; her crime is murder. The victim, according to the State of Texas, was her unborn child, and Hannah is determined to protect the identity of the father, a public figure with whom she's shared a fierce and forbidden love. When She Woke is a fable about a stigmatized woman struggling to navigate an America of a not-too-distant future�where the line between church and state has been eradicated and convicted felons are no longer imprisoned and rehabilitated but chromed and released back into the population to survive as best they can. In seeking a path to safety in an alien and hostile world, Hannah unknowingly embarks on a path of self-discovery that forces her to question the values she once held true and the righteousness of a country that politicizes faith..… (more)
Media reviews
These early scenes, in which Hannah wakes up in the Chrome ward where she’s been sentenced to remain for 30 days, are promisingly inventive. ... Lacking the satiric sting of “1984″ and “A Clockwork Orange,” the pathos of “Super Sad True Love Story” and “The Book of Dave,” or the
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kind of newfangled vocabulary each of these works used to describe their worlds, Jordan’s dystopia turns out to depict a much smaller future than its bold opening chapters, with their clever homage to Hawthorne, had so valiantly attempted to guarantee. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member brenzi
For all those who read and loved Hillary Jordan’s debut novel, Mudbound, this sophomore effort by Jordan will knock your socks off, but it couldn’t be more different from her first novel. She poses some provocative questions and the book is sure to be controversial. For instance, what if all
Jordan has created a world in the not too distant future and takes on the possibilities based on today’s headlines. As the story opens, with a nod to Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hannah Payne wakes up in the Chrome ward, where she finds her skin is bright, deep red. Her sentence for having an abortion is 30 days in the ward and the next 15 years as a pariah outside of prison where everyone will know her crime just by looking at her skin.
The novel traces how she got to this point and where she will go from here in this chilling world that, unfortunately, is not that far-fetched. That’s what’s so terrifying about the narrative and Jordan’s stunning prose is the perfect vehicle for its dissemination. Hannah is lead through a modern day underground railroad, as she fights to get free from the powers that have turned our world upside down.
Harrowing, thought-provoking, unsettling, riveting and a compelling page-turner, When She Woke cements Hillary Jordan’s reputation as a writer who is not afraid to confront the issues that will make readers squirm. Very highly recommended.
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the dire world problems that our leaders are coping with (fairly ineptly) were to actually happen? The Second Great Depression? Iran’s explosion of a nuclear bomb wiping out most of the west coast? How about a superclap pandemic? Or the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the implementation of strict new “Sanctity of Life” laws with horrific penalties. Jordan has created a world in the not too distant future and takes on the possibilities based on today’s headlines. As the story opens, with a nod to Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hannah Payne wakes up in the Chrome ward, where she finds her skin is bright, deep red. Her sentence for having an abortion is 30 days in the ward and the next 15 years as a pariah outside of prison where everyone will know her crime just by looking at her skin.
The novel traces how she got to this point and where she will go from here in this chilling world that, unfortunately, is not that far-fetched. That’s what’s so terrifying about the narrative and Jordan’s stunning prose is the perfect vehicle for its dissemination. Hannah is lead through a modern day underground railroad, as she fights to get free from the powers that have turned our world upside down.
Harrowing, thought-provoking, unsettling, riveting and a compelling page-turner, When She Woke cements Hillary Jordan’s reputation as a writer who is not afraid to confront the issues that will make readers squirm. Very highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member seasonsoflove
"When she woke, she was red."
I have a confession to make.
I am one of those English majors who hates Nathaniel Hawthorne. And I do not use that word lightly. His "introduction" to [The Scarlet Letter] is one of the few pieces of writing I have actually considered ripping into shreds for the
But my reason for really not enjoying [The Scarlet Letter] was the writing style, not the story itself. I was always intrigued by the story, but couldn't get into it because of the way Hawthorne wrote it.
So I was thrilled to hear about [When She Woke], a modern dystopian take on [The Scarlet Letter]. And what I had suspected all along was true-when put in the hands of a writer whose style I enjoyed much more, the story of a woman whose adulterous affair and the resulting pregnancy shed light not only on herself, but on the society around her, became one I could not put down.
The premise of this story is fascinating. In a seemingly utopian society, those who commit crimes (or rather what society deems crimes), become Chromes. Their entire body is colored by a pigment relating to their crime, and thus their physical appearance tells all those around them the story of their socially-deemed sin.
The protagonist of the story, Hannah, a girl who grew up going to church and sewing wedding dresses for other girls, wakes up on the first page of the story as a Red. Instead of destroying her life as society plans, living her life as a Chrome forces Hannah not only to reexamine herself, but the society she has always believed in without question.
I have a confession to make.
I am one of those English majors who hates Nathaniel Hawthorne. And I do not use that word lightly. His "introduction" to [The Scarlet Letter] is one of the few pieces of writing I have actually considered ripping into shreds for the
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cathartic value (granted it was a photocopy for a class, because I would never rip a book no matter what).But my reason for really not enjoying [The Scarlet Letter] was the writing style, not the story itself. I was always intrigued by the story, but couldn't get into it because of the way Hawthorne wrote it.
So I was thrilled to hear about [When She Woke], a modern dystopian take on [The Scarlet Letter]. And what I had suspected all along was true-when put in the hands of a writer whose style I enjoyed much more, the story of a woman whose adulterous affair and the resulting pregnancy shed light not only on herself, but on the society around her, became one I could not put down.
The premise of this story is fascinating. In a seemingly utopian society, those who commit crimes (or rather what society deems crimes), become Chromes. Their entire body is colored by a pigment relating to their crime, and thus their physical appearance tells all those around them the story of their socially-deemed sin.
The protagonist of the story, Hannah, a girl who grew up going to church and sewing wedding dresses for other girls, wakes up on the first page of the story as a Red. Instead of destroying her life as society plans, living her life as a Chrome forces Hannah not only to reexamine herself, but the society she has always believed in without question.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: When She Woke is a dystopian retelling of The Scarlet Letter, but in this case, the "A" doesn't just stand for adultery, but also abortion, and the scarlet is not just a piece of fabric, it's the sinner's skin color. In the future that When She Woke presents, non-violent lawbreakers are
Review: The reason this book is getting so many stars from me is not because it was an enjoyable read. Far from it, in fact - I had a really hard time listening to it, often having to turn it off after only a half an hour because it was making me anxious, claustrophobic, and upset. I have a hard time with characters I care about in horrible situations that they're powerless to escape, and that's exactly what a lot of this book is. Jordan's very good at ratcheting up the tension even in scenes that should be relatively benign, and it really hit me on a very visceral level. I think I was also upset by how easily I could imagine our world becoming that world; I know that there are a not-insignificant number of people in this country that would think the world of When She Woke is not a dystopia at all.
So, was this book enjoyable? No. Was it effective? Hell yes. And I think that for an author to be able to elicit that level of reaction from me, without stepping over the line where I give it up entirely (see: Blindness), is a masterful balancing act. I was impressed when I read Jordan's first book, Mudbound, at how much power she could pack into her prose, and the same is absolutely true in When She Woke; each word is clearly very carefully chosen, and even the simplest of them could have a devastating effect.
I also thought her world-building was superb; I particularly liked how she incorporated small details about the wider world: plausible extrapolations about the future world, in context, and as supporting details, while keeping the focus on Hannah and her struggles. And while it's been at least a decade since I've read The Scarlet Letter, so I can't do a direct comparison, I thought her use of the various story elements was quite clever, and also used in the service of an extremely compelling story. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Fans of dystopian novels should definitely check this one out, but I also think this would appeal to readers who wouldn't touch most sci-fi with a ten-foot-pole. It's got the same powerful prose and discomfiting story as Mudbound... it's just looking into the near future instead of the recent past.
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punished by "chroming": a viral injection that pigments the skin according to the nature of the crime. Murder - which now includes abortion, due to the combination of a theocratic government and a plague that caused widespread infertility - results in a sentence as a Red. Hannah was raised as a devout Christian, and always believed premarital sex, not to mention abortion, was a sin. But when she falls in love with and is eventually impregnated by the charismatic leader of her church, she aborts their child rather than risk ruining his career. But when she must face the hostility and violence that the world reserves for Chromes - particularly Reds - she begins to question whether her faith, and her love, were ever real, or really worth it.Review: The reason this book is getting so many stars from me is not because it was an enjoyable read. Far from it, in fact - I had a really hard time listening to it, often having to turn it off after only a half an hour because it was making me anxious, claustrophobic, and upset. I have a hard time with characters I care about in horrible situations that they're powerless to escape, and that's exactly what a lot of this book is. Jordan's very good at ratcheting up the tension even in scenes that should be relatively benign, and it really hit me on a very visceral level. I think I was also upset by how easily I could imagine our world becoming that world; I know that there are a not-insignificant number of people in this country that would think the world of When She Woke is not a dystopia at all.
So, was this book enjoyable? No. Was it effective? Hell yes. And I think that for an author to be able to elicit that level of reaction from me, without stepping over the line where I give it up entirely (see: Blindness), is a masterful balancing act. I was impressed when I read Jordan's first book, Mudbound, at how much power she could pack into her prose, and the same is absolutely true in When She Woke; each word is clearly very carefully chosen, and even the simplest of them could have a devastating effect.
I also thought her world-building was superb; I particularly liked how she incorporated small details about the wider world: plausible extrapolations about the future world, in context, and as supporting details, while keeping the focus on Hannah and her struggles. And while it's been at least a decade since I've read The Scarlet Letter, so I can't do a direct comparison, I thought her use of the various story elements was quite clever, and also used in the service of an extremely compelling story. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Fans of dystopian novels should definitely check this one out, but I also think this would appeal to readers who wouldn't touch most sci-fi with a ten-foot-pole. It's got the same powerful prose and discomfiting story as Mudbound... it's just looking into the near future instead of the recent past.
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LibraryThing member JackieBlem
I just finished reading this book, and I am amazed. It's topics are sooooo "right now": religious fundamentalism, women's rights, reproductive rights, the struggle to manage crime and the situation in prisons, the roll of technology in controlling people and the privacy issues that go along with
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that. This book is going to create a STIR--I foresee protests and outrage countered by admiration and passionate defense of the sublime way all of these volatile elements are joined to create a love story as well as a page-turning thriller. The continued exploration of what it means to be "good", and the many roles God can take in people's lives, is brilliant. A great deal of philosophy, theology and social science are included in this book, but it doesn't seem preachy or didactic. It seems like, and IS, an amazing book that is impossible to put down. Show Less
LibraryThing member ellbeecee
I still can't decide if I liked this book or didn't like it. I certainly read it, and I absolutely can't get it out of my head after reading it. But I found it fairly disturbing in concept - I mean, I think I understand what Jordan was doing, and I think it worked. There were also aspects that
That said, it was a good read. It's not at all escapist reading, but it's worth a read, and hopefully it will make you think as much as I've thought about it since finishing it.
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pissed me off and made me want to throw it across the room at times - and those are things I won't detail here because I don't want to put spoilers up. That said, it was a good read. It's not at all escapist reading, but it's worth a read, and hopefully it will make you think as much as I've thought about it since finishing it.
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LibraryThing member rmckeown
I had the good fortune to have Ms Jordan "visit" my book club when we read Mudbound a couple of years ago. She told us about her next novel, which then had a working title of Red. Needless to say, I have been anxiously awaiting its release. The Summer ALA Convention netted me an uncorrected proof,
When I finished part one, I was nervous. I thought the main character’s name, Hannah Payne, a bit too obvious parallel to Hester Prynne, but I liked Reverend Aidan Dale's name. I hoped the name Pearl would not pop up, but when it appeared, I realized the single use of “Pearl” represented a turning point in Hannah’s life. All my trepidations about the parallels with Hawthorne melted away.
My list of dystopian novels I really admire runs pretty thin: Handmaid's Tale is the gold standard. Atwood really gets into Offred's mind. McCarthy’s The Road is a close second. Updike's version of The Scarlet Letter in three parts represents a rare “retelling” of a classic I love and admire. But, as I approached the final chapter of When She Woke, I knew Jordan measured up to these standards. I could hardly put it down.
Hannah Payne has committed what her family and church view as an unspeakable crime. With the death penalty abolished, convicted criminals are “chromed” the color of their crimes. Hannah has, in society’s view, murdered an unnamed child, and thus, when she wakes, she is entirely red. She will serve only 30 days in prison for a period of acclimation. When released, she will reenter the world as an outcast, a pariah of the worst sort. She will get no sympathy – even from her own mother, and she will be barred from employment and residence in most places. Businesses will refuse to serve her, and strangers will treat her as a wild, rabid animal. Hannah will have virtually no protection from, or recourse for, such treatment.
Jordan has created a setting in Texas, which is chillingly similar to the way far too many people I know would like Texas and the United States to be -- submissive women, all reproductive freedoms squashed, and fundamentalist Christians ruling most aspects of people’s lives. One character moves to Washington to join the president’s cabinet as the Secretary of Faith! I had a creepy feeling when Crawford, Austin, Dallas, Plano, and the fortunately fictional “creation museum” in Waco were mentioned.
Into this disturbing landscape, Jordan has planted several orchids -- scenes of quiet, gentle, pleasant intimacy that carried me above the horror of the society which entrapped Hannah.
As the novel progressed, the tension and the excitement mounted. It literally took me four hours to read the last 60 pages – fear struck me about possible endings I did not want to see. When I finally reached the last page, I closed the book and cried.
After my experience with Mudbound, I did not think Jordan could match that novel for the sheer power of the story, the wonderful characters, and the setting. I was prepared for disappointment – but secretly, I hoped for another triumph, and she has done it.
Unfortunately, I cannot quote from an uncorrected proof, but the novel is due for publication in October. I will buy a copy and insert some quotes into this review and re-post. This will definitely be at the top of my list for best reads of 2011. I cannot imagine anything better.
--Jim, 7/8/11
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now titled When She Woke. I immediately moved it to the top of my TBR pile.When I finished part one, I was nervous. I thought the main character’s name, Hannah Payne, a bit too obvious parallel to Hester Prynne, but I liked Reverend Aidan Dale's name. I hoped the name Pearl would not pop up, but when it appeared, I realized the single use of “Pearl” represented a turning point in Hannah’s life. All my trepidations about the parallels with Hawthorne melted away.
My list of dystopian novels I really admire runs pretty thin: Handmaid's Tale is the gold standard. Atwood really gets into Offred's mind. McCarthy’s The Road is a close second. Updike's version of The Scarlet Letter in three parts represents a rare “retelling” of a classic I love and admire. But, as I approached the final chapter of When She Woke, I knew Jordan measured up to these standards. I could hardly put it down.
Hannah Payne has committed what her family and church view as an unspeakable crime. With the death penalty abolished, convicted criminals are “chromed” the color of their crimes. Hannah has, in society’s view, murdered an unnamed child, and thus, when she wakes, she is entirely red. She will serve only 30 days in prison for a period of acclimation. When released, she will reenter the world as an outcast, a pariah of the worst sort. She will get no sympathy – even from her own mother, and she will be barred from employment and residence in most places. Businesses will refuse to serve her, and strangers will treat her as a wild, rabid animal. Hannah will have virtually no protection from, or recourse for, such treatment.
Jordan has created a setting in Texas, which is chillingly similar to the way far too many people I know would like Texas and the United States to be -- submissive women, all reproductive freedoms squashed, and fundamentalist Christians ruling most aspects of people’s lives. One character moves to Washington to join the president’s cabinet as the Secretary of Faith! I had a creepy feeling when Crawford, Austin, Dallas, Plano, and the fortunately fictional “creation museum” in Waco were mentioned.
Into this disturbing landscape, Jordan has planted several orchids -- scenes of quiet, gentle, pleasant intimacy that carried me above the horror of the society which entrapped Hannah.
As the novel progressed, the tension and the excitement mounted. It literally took me four hours to read the last 60 pages – fear struck me about possible endings I did not want to see. When I finally reached the last page, I closed the book and cried.
After my experience with Mudbound, I did not think Jordan could match that novel for the sheer power of the story, the wonderful characters, and the setting. I was prepared for disappointment – but secretly, I hoped for another triumph, and she has done it.
Unfortunately, I cannot quote from an uncorrected proof, but the novel is due for publication in October. I will buy a copy and insert some quotes into this review and re-post. This will definitely be at the top of my list for best reads of 2011. I cannot imagine anything better.
--Jim, 7/8/11
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LibraryThing member techeditor
WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan was a pleasant surprise for me. From what I had heard, I had expected a futuristic book about a world where abortion was a crime punishable by turning the criminal’s skin red. Yes, there’s that. But there’s so much more to it. And Jordan’s writing is
You can believe me. This comes from a pro-lifer.
Because the first part of the book deals with a young woman, Hannah, who had had an abortion and was, subsequently, sentenced to 16 years as “a red,” I thought my expectations were accurate. But, although pro-lifers in this book have tunnel vision and are cruel, which might have irritated me, the story has so many twists and turns, I really did enjoy it.
And it’s about more than abortion. “Reds” might have committed other crimes, and there are also other colors to signify other levels of criminal activity because this is preferable to over-crowded prisons.
My biggest surprise about WHEN SHE WOKE was that so much happens in a relatively short book. I say “relatively” because most books that have this much action are twice as long as WHEN SHE WOKE. I have always felt that too many authors love the way they write so much that they write too much and subject the reader to many paragraphs that can easily be cut without detracting from the story. Jordan has cut the garbage paragraphs in WHEN SHE WOKE. Don’t skip. Jordan’s writing is concise, and all of it is necessary.
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superb.You can believe me. This comes from a pro-lifer.
Because the first part of the book deals with a young woman, Hannah, who had had an abortion and was, subsequently, sentenced to 16 years as “a red,” I thought my expectations were accurate. But, although pro-lifers in this book have tunnel vision and are cruel, which might have irritated me, the story has so many twists and turns, I really did enjoy it.
And it’s about more than abortion. “Reds” might have committed other crimes, and there are also other colors to signify other levels of criminal activity because this is preferable to over-crowded prisons.
My biggest surprise about WHEN SHE WOKE was that so much happens in a relatively short book. I say “relatively” because most books that have this much action are twice as long as WHEN SHE WOKE. I have always felt that too many authors love the way they write so much that they write too much and subject the reader to many paragraphs that can easily be cut without detracting from the story. Jordan has cut the garbage paragraphs in WHEN SHE WOKE. Don’t skip. Jordan’s writing is concise, and all of it is necessary.
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LibraryThing member KatPruce
I don't want to gush over-excessively because whenever something gets hyped too much...people inevitably want to find fault with it. But seriously, this was an amazing book!
The first thing that came to my mind when reading this novel was how timely it is. It's not a big leap to make into Jordan's
Another eerily similar link is the reduction of women's reproductive rights (i.e. my own Hoosier state attempting to ban Federal funds from Planned Parenthood...which is likely to be overturned). I know this is a very sensitive subject for all folks - and I respect everyone's opinions (just putting that out there). Jordan reveals the slippery slope of these backward steps in When She Woke. And that's all I'm going to say about that, given the divisiveness of this subject.
One last (albeit strange) similarity is that, in the book, a super venereal disease wipes out a large portion of the population...causing the religious fervor to become rampant. And guess what has been recently reported? An incurable "super-gonorrhea" strand has been found in Japan that could prove to be a huge public health threat. Creepy, no?
Disturbing similarities aside, this dystopian take on The Scarlet Letter had me engrossed from the first sentence. Not only is this a gripping page-turner, but it has some serious issues to ponder. When She Woke would make an excellent selection for a book club - imagine the discussion possibilities (feminism, judging of others, homosexuality, right vs. wrong, the church and various sects of Christianity, and the list goes on...)!
The first thing that came to my mind when reading this novel was how timely it is. It's not a big leap to make into Jordan's
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near future world. Despite being a dystopian novel, the book resonates with issues plaguing the modern-day U.S. political landscape. The first obvious connection to be made between this fictional world and our own is that evangelical Christian ideals are being increasingly interwoven with politics. The author posits a world where this inclusion of the (extremely strict) Church with the State has far-reaching and devastating effects.Another eerily similar link is the reduction of women's reproductive rights (i.e. my own Hoosier state attempting to ban Federal funds from Planned Parenthood...which is likely to be overturned). I know this is a very sensitive subject for all folks - and I respect everyone's opinions (just putting that out there). Jordan reveals the slippery slope of these backward steps in When She Woke. And that's all I'm going to say about that, given the divisiveness of this subject.
One last (albeit strange) similarity is that, in the book, a super venereal disease wipes out a large portion of the population...causing the religious fervor to become rampant. And guess what has been recently reported? An incurable "super-gonorrhea" strand has been found in Japan that could prove to be a huge public health threat. Creepy, no?
Disturbing similarities aside, this dystopian take on The Scarlet Letter had me engrossed from the first sentence. Not only is this a gripping page-turner, but it has some serious issues to ponder. When She Woke would make an excellent selection for a book club - imagine the discussion possibilities (feminism, judging of others, homosexuality, right vs. wrong, the church and various sects of Christianity, and the list goes on...)!
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LibraryThing member dizzyweasel
Summary: Hannah Payne wakes up a vivid shade of red. In the not-so-distant future, this 'chroming' is the punishment for all sorts of crimes, with different colors marking the severity of the transgression. Red is for murder. And in Jordan's dystopian future, most of America is disturbingly
Review: As you may have surmised from the summary, this novel is a retelling of Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. Hannah Payne/Hester Prynne, Reverend Dale/Dimmesdale, etc. The mean-spirited husband of that tale has been swapped for a bigoted brother-in-law, but much of the debate about sin, suffering, and personal faith remain. The setting and general atmosphere, however, are lifted right from Margaret Atwood's heavy-handed dystopian fantasy The Handmaid's Tale. The legal atmosphere of the novel is incredibly misogynistic, the religious right holds the country in a tyrannical grip, and everything from wearing short skirts to questioning male opinions is a sin. Basically, it's your liberal atheist's worst nightmare. Most of the religious figures are incredibly hypocritical and cruel, and the 'good' characters are persecuted by them.
I waver back and forth on my opinion of the messages in this novel. On the one hand, it offers up to the reader questions of sexuality: what is 'good', what is 'bad', is abortion wrong, is pre-marital sex wrong, is adultery wrong...was Hannah wrong? And to the novel's credit, it doesn't attempt to answer these questions for the reader. This make it a good choice for younger teens who may be grappling with variations on these problems. On the other hand, the treatment of religion in this novel seems a bit heavy-handed. Hannah's family are fundamentalists who abandon her after her 'sin' - only her father stands by her, but he is overruled by his wife. The religious boarding house that takes in Hannah after her imprisonment is horrid - the minister, his wife, and their religious 'counselors' are monstrous sadists who take righteous pleasure in tormenting their sinful charges. The religious right has shut down all women's rights and subordinated women to men. To attempt to balance this negative picture of the religious institution, the author has Hannah finding internal peace with God and her faith. She also meets an inspiring female minister at one point in the novel. These positive portrayals of faith, however, are not salient enough to compete with the negative portrayals of faith in the novel, and as a result, some religious readers may feel alienated by the author.
The issue of female authority is ambiguous here too. There are several negative examples of female authority: Hannah's mother overrules her father in accepting their daughter after she has be convicted of aborting her baby, and the minister's wife at the boarding house clearly runs the sadistic show there. But at the same time the female leaders of the liberal rebellion and the female minister are positive female models.
What is Jordan saying about religion? What is she saying about female authority? What is she saying about sexuality? In a novel aimed at adult readers, these questions would be well left ambiguous. Young adults, however, may feel adrift at the end of this tale, with no absolute moral or message to take away.
I rated this novel 3 stars because it began very promisingly, but tapered off. The borrowing from Atwood gave me literary deja vu, and the heavy-handed treatment of religion and conservative politics felt excessive even for this liberal atheist reader. Though the religious message was problematized by the positive aspects of faith, I had the feeling that the author was more confused in her message than deliberately ambiguous.
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Puritanical and abortion is a criminal offense - it's murder, and it is for this crime that Hannah is chromed. By refusing to name the father she has added to her sentence. We soon learn (so this IS NOT a spoiler) that Reverend Dale, her family's pastor, was her lover and the father of her aborted child. The book follows Hannah as she is released from prison and has to cope with living in a world that abuses and discriminates against 'Chromes'. Her journey will cause her to examine her life, her faith, and her love. Review: As you may have surmised from the summary, this novel is a retelling of Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. Hannah Payne/Hester Prynne, Reverend Dale/Dimmesdale, etc. The mean-spirited husband of that tale has been swapped for a bigoted brother-in-law, but much of the debate about sin, suffering, and personal faith remain. The setting and general atmosphere, however, are lifted right from Margaret Atwood's heavy-handed dystopian fantasy The Handmaid's Tale. The legal atmosphere of the novel is incredibly misogynistic, the religious right holds the country in a tyrannical grip, and everything from wearing short skirts to questioning male opinions is a sin. Basically, it's your liberal atheist's worst nightmare. Most of the religious figures are incredibly hypocritical and cruel, and the 'good' characters are persecuted by them.
I waver back and forth on my opinion of the messages in this novel. On the one hand, it offers up to the reader questions of sexuality: what is 'good', what is 'bad', is abortion wrong, is pre-marital sex wrong, is adultery wrong...was Hannah wrong? And to the novel's credit, it doesn't attempt to answer these questions for the reader. This make it a good choice for younger teens who may be grappling with variations on these problems. On the other hand, the treatment of religion in this novel seems a bit heavy-handed. Hannah's family are fundamentalists who abandon her after her 'sin' - only her father stands by her, but he is overruled by his wife. The religious boarding house that takes in Hannah after her imprisonment is horrid - the minister, his wife, and their religious 'counselors' are monstrous sadists who take righteous pleasure in tormenting their sinful charges. The religious right has shut down all women's rights and subordinated women to men. To attempt to balance this negative picture of the religious institution, the author has Hannah finding internal peace with God and her faith. She also meets an inspiring female minister at one point in the novel. These positive portrayals of faith, however, are not salient enough to compete with the negative portrayals of faith in the novel, and as a result, some religious readers may feel alienated by the author.
The issue of female authority is ambiguous here too. There are several negative examples of female authority: Hannah's mother overrules her father in accepting their daughter after she has be convicted of aborting her baby, and the minister's wife at the boarding house clearly runs the sadistic show there. But at the same time the female leaders of the liberal rebellion and the female minister are positive female models.
What is Jordan saying about religion? What is she saying about female authority? What is she saying about sexuality? In a novel aimed at adult readers, these questions would be well left ambiguous. Young adults, however, may feel adrift at the end of this tale, with no absolute moral or message to take away.
I rated this novel 3 stars because it began very promisingly, but tapered off. The borrowing from Atwood gave me literary deja vu, and the heavy-handed treatment of religion and conservative politics felt excessive even for this liberal atheist reader. Though the religious message was problematized by the positive aspects of faith, I had the feeling that the author was more confused in her message than deliberately ambiguous.
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LibraryThing member GCPLreader
Figured I couldn't go wrong with this one-- loved [Mudbound], love dystopia, and I'm a fan of The Scarlet Letter. But the dystopias I love paint a fascinating picture of a damaged society and all that can go wrong. In When She Woke, we are told very little about the setting and why the public is so
Sounds good on paper, but the setup is weak, the characters are one-dimensionally offensive, and the writing is just uninspired. Seems that this book is well beloved by many, but I can't help but compare it to the amazing Handmaid's Tale, and it doesn't even come close.
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hostile and repressed. The author supposes an America that is a strict, narrow-minded Christian society where prisons cannot cope with those sentenced and so the convicted are melachromed and forced to reenter society with colored skin. The main character, Hannah Payne, has been found guilty of abortion and her skin is dyed red. Sounds good on paper, but the setup is weak, the characters are one-dimensionally offensive, and the writing is just uninspired. Seems that this book is well beloved by many, but I can't help but compare it to the amazing Handmaid's Tale, and it doesn't even come close.
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LibraryThing member janerawoof
Author's interesting take on Hawthorne's [The Scarlet Letter] set in a dystopian future not too far off. Theme of racism symbolized by "chroming": those who break the law forced to undergo skin color change, certain colors representing certain crimes. Strange book, but compelling.
LibraryThing member dukedom_enough
Beside all else that's been said about When She Woke, I want to point something out.
Jordan takes a small set of current trends, adds a new feature (the infertility plague), and projects their effects on society over time. We see this world through the eyes of someone who has grow up and feels at
So, this novel is a perfectly formed example of extrapolative science fiction. I can imagine it being serialized in Galaxy magazine, starting maybe six months after the July-August 1952 run of Gravy Planet - if I pretend that abortion was mentionable then. I know of no evidence about whether Jordan is at all familiar with science fiction, and I wonder whether this book is yet another sign that the techniques of SF are now part of every writer's kit.
Jordan takes a small set of current trends, adds a new feature (the infertility plague), and projects their effects on society over time. We see this world through the eyes of someone who has grow up and feels at
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home in it. With her, we then see through the facade of accepted belief to an underlying cruelty and disorder; the rules aren't what Hannah thought they were. The author fills in small details (fingernail holograms, extended drought due to climate change, the "port" as everyone's connection to the internet) without dwelling on them, any more than Hannah would - they're part of her life, no more remarkable than autos are to us. This last is solid incluing, just as author and critic Jo Walton has defined it.So, this novel is a perfectly formed example of extrapolative science fiction. I can imagine it being serialized in Galaxy magazine, starting maybe six months after the July-August 1952 run of Gravy Planet - if I pretend that abortion was mentionable then. I know of no evidence about whether Jordan is at all familiar with science fiction, and I wonder whether this book is yet another sign that the techniques of SF are now part of every writer's kit.
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LibraryThing member BookAddictDiary
When She Woke is, essentially, a futuristic re-telling of Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter with some Handmaiden's Tale thrown in. But this time, Hannah Payne's, the new Hester Prynne's, skin color is changed to a bright, stop-sign red after she was found guilty of aborting her unborn baby. In this
I was somewhat confused by this book. First, with the heavy discussion of religion, heavily fundamentalist religious society, and theocratic government, I wondered if the book was meant to be an attack on religion or some sort of atheistic rant. Though, thankfully, criticisms of religion did not fully materialize, Jordan's depictions of religion, per-martial sex and other issues can be somewhat one-sided and uncomfortable for some readers. And, most importantly for young adult readers. Which brings me to the next thing I was confused about -what audience is this book for? Upon reading the blurb, I thought this was going to be a more adult-oriented book because of the material, but it seems like the publisher has been trying to market this as a YA novel, and some reviewers seemed to think it was a YA novel, so I'm confused as to who this book is written for.
I was also confused about the book's direction and what message Jordan was trying to convey, as it constantly seemed like she was working up to something, but shied away from it. The story started out with an interesting concept that was well-constructed and unexpected, not to mention beautifully written. However, as Hannah moved through the different phases of the novel, the story seemed more and more scattered and more and more confused, especially when seemingly important plot points were not introduced until later on in the novel and had no prior buildup. I also had trouble with the frequent nods to The Handmaiden's Tale. That, combined with the Hawthorne-isms made When She Woke feel somewhat unoriginal and like it was retreading similar ideas already explored in literature.
Thus, I ended up with mixed feelings on this book. Jordan started out with some great ideas, but the story seemed to get confused as it went on, so much that I almost got lost. I was also hoping this book would be thought-provoking, as some wonderful dystopians can be, but When She Woke was neither thought-provoking nor entertaining.
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world where the line between church and state has been virtually erased, those convicted of crimes have their skin color changed as part of their sentence, and as part of public shaming. Hannah refuses to name the baby's father, must serve time in jail, and find her way in a new world that despises her for her crime.I was somewhat confused by this book. First, with the heavy discussion of religion, heavily fundamentalist religious society, and theocratic government, I wondered if the book was meant to be an attack on religion or some sort of atheistic rant. Though, thankfully, criticisms of religion did not fully materialize, Jordan's depictions of religion, per-martial sex and other issues can be somewhat one-sided and uncomfortable for some readers. And, most importantly for young adult readers. Which brings me to the next thing I was confused about -what audience is this book for? Upon reading the blurb, I thought this was going to be a more adult-oriented book because of the material, but it seems like the publisher has been trying to market this as a YA novel, and some reviewers seemed to think it was a YA novel, so I'm confused as to who this book is written for.
I was also confused about the book's direction and what message Jordan was trying to convey, as it constantly seemed like she was working up to something, but shied away from it. The story started out with an interesting concept that was well-constructed and unexpected, not to mention beautifully written. However, as Hannah moved through the different phases of the novel, the story seemed more and more scattered and more and more confused, especially when seemingly important plot points were not introduced until later on in the novel and had no prior buildup. I also had trouble with the frequent nods to The Handmaiden's Tale. That, combined with the Hawthorne-isms made When She Woke feel somewhat unoriginal and like it was retreading similar ideas already explored in literature.
Thus, I ended up with mixed feelings on this book. Jordan started out with some great ideas, but the story seemed to get confused as it went on, so much that I almost got lost. I was also hoping this book would be thought-provoking, as some wonderful dystopians can be, but When She Woke was neither thought-provoking nor entertaining.
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LibraryThing member dasuzuki
I had high hopes for this book after seeing some of my favorite bloggers raving about it and my disappointment in not winning a copy of Insignia by S.J. Kincaid (which looks amazing) was somewhat alleviated when I found out I did win a copy of any book I wanted. This book started off amazingly and
This story tackles several controversial issues regarding separation of state and church, abortion and the death penalty. The idea of Chromes was an interesting solution to the over crowding of prisons and the high cost of taking care of prisoners. There is no way of hiding that you committed a crime and the different color system even lets people know the type of crime you have committed. On the surface it sounds like a great idea but then you run into the gray area of whether or not having an abortion constitutes murder. There are differing opinions and I know many people who are very vocal about how they feel but it is interesting to see how actually being in such a situation may affect your choices. I felt bad for Hannah who has to make the choice of having a baby out of wedlock, ruining the life of the man she loves and destroying the faith of millions of people or going through with a procedure that goes against everything she's been raised to believe.
I found it fascinating to watch the transformation in Hannah as she is forced to realize what life s really like outside of the sheltered life she has lead up to this point and having to question the laws and decisions made by the people around her. That said there were a few things that started to knock down how I felt about this book.
First was the father of Hannah's unborn child. Maybe it's because we don't get to see his point of view but I found his reaction to the pregnancy, abortion and living with the consequences of Hannah's actions abrupt and unreal. It would have been nice to see how his feelings built up and lead to the actions he finally makes in the end. Instead it almost comes out of the blue and therefore hard to believe.
Then there was also point where Hannah feels some sexual confusion as she finds herself attracted to and becoming sexually involved with another woman. I did not understand how this fit into the story as a whole as I don't feel like this was ever in question before and it's over so quickly and she is back to mooning over the father of the baby.
Still for the most part I found the ideas behind this story fascinating and other than the rushed ending I thought it was an interesting read just not one of my favorites.
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I thought it was going to top my list of books read in 2011. Sadly about 3/4 of the way through it definitely took a downturn.This story tackles several controversial issues regarding separation of state and church, abortion and the death penalty. The idea of Chromes was an interesting solution to the over crowding of prisons and the high cost of taking care of prisoners. There is no way of hiding that you committed a crime and the different color system even lets people know the type of crime you have committed. On the surface it sounds like a great idea but then you run into the gray area of whether or not having an abortion constitutes murder. There are differing opinions and I know many people who are very vocal about how they feel but it is interesting to see how actually being in such a situation may affect your choices. I felt bad for Hannah who has to make the choice of having a baby out of wedlock, ruining the life of the man she loves and destroying the faith of millions of people or going through with a procedure that goes against everything she's been raised to believe.
I found it fascinating to watch the transformation in Hannah as she is forced to realize what life s really like outside of the sheltered life she has lead up to this point and having to question the laws and decisions made by the people around her. That said there were a few things that started to knock down how I felt about this book.
First was the father of Hannah's unborn child. Maybe it's because we don't get to see his point of view but I found his reaction to the pregnancy, abortion and living with the consequences of Hannah's actions abrupt and unreal. It would have been nice to see how his feelings built up and lead to the actions he finally makes in the end. Instead it almost comes out of the blue and therefore hard to believe.
Then there was also point where Hannah feels some sexual confusion as she finds herself attracted to and becoming sexually involved with another woman. I did not understand how this fit into the story as a whole as I don't feel like this was ever in question before and it's over so quickly and she is back to mooning over the father of the baby.
Still for the most part I found the ideas behind this story fascinating and other than the rushed ending I thought it was an interesting read just not one of my favorites.
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LibraryThing member porch_reader
I loved Mudbound. It was one of my favorite books a few years ago - historical fiction with strong characters and a compelling plot. When I saw that Hillary Jordan had written another book, I was thrilled. And then I read the description. Hannah Payne has been turned red because of a crime she
Let me start by saying that Jordan can write anything. The world that she creates in When She Woke is frightening. Bit by bit, we learn more about how this near-future world is different (and not-so-different) from ours. Perhaps what is most frightening about it is that many of the conditions are just slightly more extreme than extremist views now. As Hannah attempts to navigate life as a Chrome, the book turns almost hopeless. Many people discriminate against Chromes, while others attempt to more directly harm them. Hannah has few allies. But Jordan punctuates the horrors that Hannah faces with a few spots of hope - a friend, a father, a sense of inner strength - that make reading this book just bearable. Hannah herself is real and multi-layered. I cared what happened to her. All in all, I was captivated by this book. . . until the end.
Hannah makes some decisions that seem out of character. Pieces fall together a bit too neatly. I don't want to spoil it, but it just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book. An ending like this doesn't completely negate the overall satisfying reading experience, but it did leave me a little less excited about this book than I might have been. Still, if you like dystopian fiction, it is worth a read.
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committed. In a world in which strong religious beliefs influence political decisions, Hannah has to try to survive as a Chrome. I don't consider myself a fan of dystopian fiction (although Oryx and Crake was one of my favorites from January), so I didn't rush out to get this book. But it kept drawing my eye, and I finally caved in. Let me start by saying that Jordan can write anything. The world that she creates in When She Woke is frightening. Bit by bit, we learn more about how this near-future world is different (and not-so-different) from ours. Perhaps what is most frightening about it is that many of the conditions are just slightly more extreme than extremist views now. As Hannah attempts to navigate life as a Chrome, the book turns almost hopeless. Many people discriminate against Chromes, while others attempt to more directly harm them. Hannah has few allies. But Jordan punctuates the horrors that Hannah faces with a few spots of hope - a friend, a father, a sense of inner strength - that make reading this book just bearable. Hannah herself is real and multi-layered. I cared what happened to her. All in all, I was captivated by this book. . . until the end.
Hannah makes some decisions that seem out of character. Pieces fall together a bit too neatly. I don't want to spoil it, but it just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book. An ending like this doesn't completely negate the overall satisfying reading experience, but it did leave me a little less excited about this book than I might have been. Still, if you like dystopian fiction, it is worth a read.
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LibraryThing member ReadHanded
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan is a dystopian novel about Hannah Payne, a woman raised by conservative parents (she's never, ever worn pants - only skirts and dresses) who has an affair with a famous preacher, gets pregnant, and has an abortion. The biggest problem with this is that abortion is
The world Jordan creates is eerily recognizable, but so very different. Hannah's world is one in which Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion made illegal (akin to murder) after a "scourge" kills some and renders many more impotent. It is a world in which prisons are so overpopulated that they develop a new system for criminals - their skin is re-pigmented a particular color depending on the nature of their crime and after thirty days of solitary confinement and no privacy, they are released back into society. The criminals must check in every four months until their sentences are over to have their pigmentation re-upped. If they don't show, a virus activates in their systems, slowly killing them. What's more, all "chromes" are publicly tracked, so anyone can find them, including hate groups like "the Fist".
Hannah's society teaches that "melachroming all but the most violent and incorrigible convicts was not only more cost effective than imprisoning them, it was also more of a deterrent against crime and a more humane means of punishment" (pg. 209). In Jordan's world, state lines have border patrols and check points, Los Angeles has been leveled by a nuclear attack, and everyone uses their "ports" to communicate, as identification, and for financial transactions.
The magic in any dystopian work stems from how well the author can create the environment. The world of When She Woke is very well done - complex and strange, yet also believable and relatable. Jordan has written such a fantastic environment that it sustains the novel even when the characters are two-dimensional, or the story line lags.
Almost every description of this novel compares it to The Scarlet Letter, and the similarities are intentional. Unlike Hester Prynne, Hannah Payne's punishment is not limited to a fabric "A" on her shirt - Hannah's entire red body highlights her shame. Also unlike Hester, Hannah has compatriots - fellow chromes and their allies who protect and befriend her. Beyond The Scarlet Letter, When She Woke speaks of racism - prejudice due to natural skin color and artificial.
Clearly, When She Woke has liberal underpinnings - its messages are pro-choice and anti-organized religion. If that sort of thing bothers you, this is probably not the book for you. One awkward scene toward the end of the novel seemed specifically designed to bring issues of homosexuality to the forefront, though it did nothing to expand the characters or the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed When She Woke. It swept me into its world and sometimes offended me a bit, as every good book should. I recommend When She Woke to readers of dystopia and those who don't mind political agendas in their fiction.
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illegal in Hannah's society, and Hannah gets caught.The world Jordan creates is eerily recognizable, but so very different. Hannah's world is one in which Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion made illegal (akin to murder) after a "scourge" kills some and renders many more impotent. It is a world in which prisons are so overpopulated that they develop a new system for criminals - their skin is re-pigmented a particular color depending on the nature of their crime and after thirty days of solitary confinement and no privacy, they are released back into society. The criminals must check in every four months until their sentences are over to have their pigmentation re-upped. If they don't show, a virus activates in their systems, slowly killing them. What's more, all "chromes" are publicly tracked, so anyone can find them, including hate groups like "the Fist".
Hannah's society teaches that "melachroming all but the most violent and incorrigible convicts was not only more cost effective than imprisoning them, it was also more of a deterrent against crime and a more humane means of punishment" (pg. 209). In Jordan's world, state lines have border patrols and check points, Los Angeles has been leveled by a nuclear attack, and everyone uses their "ports" to communicate, as identification, and for financial transactions.
The magic in any dystopian work stems from how well the author can create the environment. The world of When She Woke is very well done - complex and strange, yet also believable and relatable. Jordan has written such a fantastic environment that it sustains the novel even when the characters are two-dimensional, or the story line lags.
Almost every description of this novel compares it to The Scarlet Letter, and the similarities are intentional. Unlike Hester Prynne, Hannah Payne's punishment is not limited to a fabric "A" on her shirt - Hannah's entire red body highlights her shame. Also unlike Hester, Hannah has compatriots - fellow chromes and their allies who protect and befriend her. Beyond The Scarlet Letter, When She Woke speaks of racism - prejudice due to natural skin color and artificial.
Clearly, When She Woke has liberal underpinnings - its messages are pro-choice and anti-organized religion. If that sort of thing bothers you, this is probably not the book for you. One awkward scene toward the end of the novel seemed specifically designed to bring issues of homosexuality to the forefront, though it did nothing to expand the characters or the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed When She Woke. It swept me into its world and sometimes offended me a bit, as every good book should. I recommend When She Woke to readers of dystopia and those who don't mind political agendas in their fiction.
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LibraryThing member tinkerbellkk
This was an interesting look into what the future could potentially hold. With the threat of overcrowding in prisons, the government takes the approach to colour people's skin who have committed minor crimes. This allows people to continue to be punished by the public.
I felt for the situation that
Interestingly written with a future that is very scary considering it may not be all that far from possibility. Good for some lively discussion.
I felt for the situation that
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the main character Hannah has landed in. She takes responsibility for her actions and refuses to implicate anyone else involved. This of course causes her to have a longer sentence as she won't provide information. Her journey is difficult and not without pain therefore I found myself routing for her.Interestingly written with a future that is very scary considering it may not be all that far from possibility. Good for some lively discussion.
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LibraryThing member tangledthread
Hilary Jordan knows something about the meanness of the human spirit as expressed in bigotry and hatred of "the other". But she also knows how to write a character with indomitable spirit. She's done it twice now: first with Mudbound and now with When Whe Woke. Though the settings and story lines
As the book opens, Hannah Payne awakes to find herself in a Chrome ward in Texas, where she will be in solitary confinement and video monitored 24-7 for 30 days. She has been given a virus that turns her red which is part of the punishment for having had an abortion.
This is a futuristic society where Los Angeles has been reduced to rubble by a terrorist act. Roe v. Wade has been overturned after "the scourge", a virulent STD which left many sterile, threatened the population. Babies and the ability to reproduce became highly valued. A cure for "the scourge" has been found. Sadly in this society, there seems to be no cure for fulminating, fundamentalist christian bigotry that has become rampant and insinuated itself into government and public policy.
Prisons have been deteriorating, and the public policy solution to incarceration is to use viruses to tint convicts various colors that align with their crime. There are yellows, blues, greens, and red is for those found to be guilty of murder. And in this futuristic society, everyone can be tracked by the government at all times.
Jordan has done more than a passing nod to The Scarlet Letter in this book. The main characters have the same initials: Hannah Payne: Hester Prynne. The adulterous minister Aidan Dale: Arthur Dimmsdale. While in a "christian" group home for "rehab", Hannah names her aborted child Pearl, the same name as Hester Prynne's love child.
Upon her release from the Chrome Ward, the story becomes action packed and Hannah learns the perils of living as a marked woman in a hateful society. There is suspense, action, hatred, and love. Hannah is a strong character and her strength draws her to those who can help her.
The book is well written and the story line is compelling. In addition to The Scarlet Letter, I would also compare it to Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale.
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are very different, these two themes are shared by the two books.As the book opens, Hannah Payne awakes to find herself in a Chrome ward in Texas, where she will be in solitary confinement and video monitored 24-7 for 30 days. She has been given a virus that turns her red which is part of the punishment for having had an abortion.
This is a futuristic society where Los Angeles has been reduced to rubble by a terrorist act. Roe v. Wade has been overturned after "the scourge", a virulent STD which left many sterile, threatened the population. Babies and the ability to reproduce became highly valued. A cure for "the scourge" has been found. Sadly in this society, there seems to be no cure for fulminating, fundamentalist christian bigotry that has become rampant and insinuated itself into government and public policy.
Prisons have been deteriorating, and the public policy solution to incarceration is to use viruses to tint convicts various colors that align with their crime. There are yellows, blues, greens, and red is for those found to be guilty of murder. And in this futuristic society, everyone can be tracked by the government at all times.
Jordan has done more than a passing nod to The Scarlet Letter in this book. The main characters have the same initials: Hannah Payne: Hester Prynne. The adulterous minister Aidan Dale: Arthur Dimmsdale. While in a "christian" group home for "rehab", Hannah names her aborted child Pearl, the same name as Hester Prynne's love child.
Upon her release from the Chrome Ward, the story becomes action packed and Hannah learns the perils of living as a marked woman in a hateful society. There is suspense, action, hatred, and love. Hannah is a strong character and her strength draws her to those who can help her.
The book is well written and the story line is compelling. In addition to The Scarlet Letter, I would also compare it to Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale.
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LibraryThing member MickyFine
When she woke, she was red.
In a dystopian future where an outbreak of a virulent STD results in states revoking Roe v. Wade and convicted criminals being genetically dyed so that their skin proclaims there crime, Hannah Payne is convicted of murder for having an abortion. Refusing to name the
A fascinating reinterpretation of The Scarlet Letter, Jordan creates a fascinating narrative that is equal parts character study and dystopian novel. The future she creates is fascinating in its explorations of the penal system and our culture's reactions to epidemics and terrorism. Hannah's growth as a character is fascinating as she explores who she is as a person, her view and relationship with God, and the actions she's taken in her own life. How the two intertwine makes for an engrossing read that raises questions for the reader that linger long after the last page.
In a dystopian future where an outbreak of a virulent STD results in states revoking Roe v. Wade and convicted criminals being genetically dyed so that their skin proclaims there crime, Hannah Payne is convicted of murder for having an abortion. Refusing to name the
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father of the fetus to preserve his high position in the nation's religious community and his marriage, Hannah will be a Red for the next sixteen years. But the act of becoming a Red alters Hannah's perception of her world and herself and sets her on a path to discover who she truly is.A fascinating reinterpretation of The Scarlet Letter, Jordan creates a fascinating narrative that is equal parts character study and dystopian novel. The future she creates is fascinating in its explorations of the penal system and our culture's reactions to epidemics and terrorism. Hannah's growth as a character is fascinating as she explores who she is as a person, her view and relationship with God, and the actions she's taken in her own life. How the two intertwine makes for an engrossing read that raises questions for the reader that linger long after the last page.
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LibraryThing member John_Pappas
A stunning and slightly shocking version of the Scarlet Letter set in a dystopian near-future/present. Well done and engaging for the first two-thirds of the book but the resolution seems rushed at the end. Overall, I loved it and was happy to read it and would recommend it to anyone with a love
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for dystopian fiction but is looking for something slightly more adult in subject and politics. Show Less
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
Is this young adult? Hmm... doesn't appear like it's supposed to be, but it comes across like it was written for a younger audience, or perhaps for more naive readers. It also has a very "let's explore Christianity" feel to it - I know that the novel is supposed to be an examination of right-wing
I think the chroming idea is fantastic. But this was not explored... the nature of the new criminal system was not explored, and neither was the society that generated this new "system". The story focuses, for the first half, on how much in love she is with the father of the baby and how she can't name him because that will expose him as a hypocrite (the fact that he *is* one is beside the point I suppose). And the second half is focused on some "underground railroad" that had a lecture-y feel to it (exploring the religious beliefs of different groups). Don't worry though- for variety there are also anti-spousal abuse and anti-child molestation lectures to be found.
Nearly all the reviews I've read compare this to the Handmaid's Tale... Jordan's writing is not nearly as sophisticated, nuanced or mature as Atwood's and it's actually kinda insulting to Atwood to suggest this is anything like her novel, except for, perhaps, the premise of women as breeders. Not that I like Atwood (her writing is too literary for me), but you'd never mistake Atwood's works as being meant for young adults.
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fanaticism gone awry, but there is just a bit too much exposition on different religious beliefs (show, don't lecture, Ms. Jordan). That, and there's a "feminist" twist to it that comes across as naive - sort of like the author took a feminism course in university and got hung up on the belief that feminists were lesbian and/or extremists. This tiny "foray" into lesbian-feminism was odd and out of place with the tone of the rest of the novel so I suspect it was there for shock value mostly. I think the chroming idea is fantastic. But this was not explored... the nature of the new criminal system was not explored, and neither was the society that generated this new "system". The story focuses, for the first half, on how much in love she is with the father of the baby and how she can't name him because that will expose him as a hypocrite (the fact that he *is* one is beside the point I suppose). And the second half is focused on some "underground railroad" that had a lecture-y feel to it (exploring the religious beliefs of different groups). Don't worry though- for variety there are also anti-spousal abuse and anti-child molestation lectures to be found.
Nearly all the reviews I've read compare this to the Handmaid's Tale... Jordan's writing is not nearly as sophisticated, nuanced or mature as Atwood's and it's actually kinda insulting to Atwood to suggest this is anything like her novel, except for, perhaps, the premise of women as breeders. Not that I like Atwood (her writing is too literary for me), but you'd never mistake Atwood's works as being meant for young adults.
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LibraryThing member lahochstetler
Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, this book describes a world in which women are primarily valued for reproduction, and in which the state has complete oversight over the private activities of individuals. This is a world in which extreme religion runs the government in the name
Most important to this story, the government has developed melachroming as a means of punishment; it dyes the skins of criminals according to their crime. Protagonist Hannah Payne has been dyed red after being caught having an illegal abortion. "Chromes," as they are known, are constantly subjected to harassment and vigilante justice. Many do not survive. As Hannah tries to adjust to life as a chrome her world, formerly sheltered, starts to open. She begins to rethink previously held assumptions, as she sees the underside of policies she previously considered humane.
In this novel Jordan has created a world that is frighteningly believable. The book is clearly a statement on the dangers of dissolving the boundaries between church and state, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of a justice system that reverts to arcane methods. Jordan has created The Scarlet Letter for the 21st century. The book is imaginative, frightening, and definitely made me think.
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of "morality." Most important to this story, the government has developed melachroming as a means of punishment; it dyes the skins of criminals according to their crime. Protagonist Hannah Payne has been dyed red after being caught having an illegal abortion. "Chromes," as they are known, are constantly subjected to harassment and vigilante justice. Many do not survive. As Hannah tries to adjust to life as a chrome her world, formerly sheltered, starts to open. She begins to rethink previously held assumptions, as she sees the underside of policies she previously considered humane.
In this novel Jordan has created a world that is frighteningly believable. The book is clearly a statement on the dangers of dissolving the boundaries between church and state, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of a justice system that reverts to arcane methods. Jordan has created The Scarlet Letter for the 21st century. The book is imaginative, frightening, and definitely made me think.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
Wow what a fantastic take on the Scarlet Letter. A dystopian novel, church and state no longer separate and individual freedoms out the window. Interesting characters and fast paced, read it straight through.
LibraryThing member SalemAthenaeum
A powerful reimagining of The Scarlet Letter. Hannah Payne's life has been devoted to church and family. But after she's convicted of murder, she awakens in a new body to a nightmarish new life. She finds herself lying on a table in a bare room, covered only by a paper gown, with cameras
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broadcasting her every move to millions at home, for whom observing the Chromes - criminals whose skin color has been genetically altered to match the class of their crime - is a sinister form of entertainment. Hannah is a Red for the crime of murder. The victim, says the State of Texas, was her unborn child, and Hannah is determined to protect the identity of the father, a public figure with whom she shared a fierce and forbidden love. Show Less
LibraryThing member suballa
In the not-so-distant future, only the most dangerous criminals serve their sentences behind bars. All others are made to serve their time on the outside, living among the rest of society but with one big difference. In order to readily identify them as criminals, they are injected with a virus to
More than a modern “Scarlet Letter”, this is a very thought provoking and riveting story. Full of controversial topics, I’m sure it will lead to some interesting conversations. Adding to the disturbing nature of “When She Woke” is the realization that we can see glimpses of the fanaticism portrayed in this story just by watching CNN.
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change the color of their skin. Most of these “Chromes” are Yellows, serving short sentences for misdemeanors. Child molesters are Blues but they don’t fare so well out in society so they are rarely seen. Hannah Payne is a Red. She has been convicted of killing her unborn child. Dangers to Hannah and those like her come in many forms. Religious fanatics and vigilantes have them in their sights. How will she ever survive her 16 year sentence?More than a modern “Scarlet Letter”, this is a very thought provoking and riveting story. Full of controversial topics, I’m sure it will lead to some interesting conversations. Adding to the disturbing nature of “When She Woke” is the realization that we can see glimpses of the fanaticism portrayed in this story just by watching CNN.
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Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2013)
Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2012)
RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — Science Fiction — 2012)
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction (Longlist — Fiction — 2012)
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (Fiction — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
2011-10-04