What do readers think of Widowland by C. J. Carey? Write your own review.

A 'what if Germany took over England without World War II' dystopian novel sounds like it should be a great book. For me the premise was good, but the execution was average and a bit disjointed. I feel like too much time was spent on the build up, but the last quarter of the book everything just happened, all at once rapid fire. This was an average read, not the great novel it had had potential to be.

"Widowland" by C.J. Carey was not what I hoped it would be. The first couple chapters go into detail about the new alliance with Germany, explaining the roles of the different types of women. I felt like the author tried too hard to make it like "The Handmaid's Tale" without any real development of the characters or setting. I would not recommend this book.

I was more than disappointed in this book. I found it boring, banal and repetitive. The attempts at describing the dystopian culture in which England found itself after surrendering to Germany dragged on and on and I didn't learn much about what the author was trying to say. The protagonist didn't irritate me; I simply found her a non-starter. The book didn't frighten me, as it should have, given the subject matter. I really don't like to give a bad review. But I just could not get on board with Widowland.

Anyone who has watched or read The Handmaid's Tale will surely note that the similarities are very obvious. There are so few original ideas in this book that I find it hard to believe that it is being published as a new novel.

The pacing of this story goes very slowly at first then speeds up quickly near the end which gives it a frenetic feel and unsatisfying close.

Sorry I do not recommend this book.