I Who Have Never Known Men: The heart-breaking post-apocalyptic TikTok sensation

I really wasn't sure at first about this book - I found the introduction by Sophie Mackintosh a bit rambling and lacking in context, so ended up skipping most of it. The book itself is fascinating though, and real food for thought. It will have you grappling with very big questions - what is the point of life? What does it mean to be a human? What brings true purpose and meaning to our existence? What role does hope play in sustaining us? I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a book grappling with such big themes, but the dystopian world in which the narrator lives is mystifying. There is so much that doesn't make sense, so many unanswered questions, and how do you make sense of life and yourself in such circumstances? I was completely drawn in to the Narrator's journey to explore their world and try to find the answers. I loved her insatiable thirst for knowledge and discovery. I loved how much it prompted me to reflect on how much we learn from the community around us - in this case, the Narrator is devoid of a mother, father and any physical contact from their earliest years, and later learns so much from Anthea, and in turn different things from each of the women in her community. The book is short, so speedy to read, and hard to put down. I can see myself thinking about this book for a long time to come. Highly recommend.

I’m not sure how or when I first came across this book but I rediscovered it again on my Kindle whilst on holiday so I started it. This is a small dystopian novel narrated by a young anonymous woman, who can only ever remember being locked in a cage in a bunker with thirty-nine other women. Her narrative is deeply introspective, despite her complete and utter inexperience. And regardless of her intense capacity for emotion, she is convinced she is not entirely human. We follow her through different events and learn how she will cope with the path that her life is taking. What a strange and gripping little read this was. We got no answers, we only got more questions. This would normally frustrate me but it didn’t here although I’m not sure why this was the case. The story is interesting and the writing is excellent. I never got bored of our main character and being in her head, she was fascinating. The story was intense, horrible, sad and heartwarming all at the same time. The strangest coming of age story I think I have ever read. I read this in one sitting and was surprised when I finished to discover after blinking a few times that I was sitting on a lounger in the sunshine on holiday (desperate for a pee!). This book really took me somewhere else for a few hours and I was thinking about it for quite a while afterwards.

I loved this. After reading reviews saying how traumatic it was I was a little hesitant to pick it up, but as it's book club choice I did. The writing is good, and to my mind improved as the novella developed. The characters are believable, the plot is sometimes straining but moves along well, the denouement is wonderful. I read it in one sitting, I was that engrossed. I probably won't read it again, hence my three stars.

I Who Have Never Known Men – Jacqueline Harpman ⭐ 5/5 🌶️ None This is the kind of book that you finish in one sitting and then spend days just feeling. Jacqueline Harpman’s I Who Have Never Known Men is not a story full of action or shocking plot twists, but rather a quiet, haunting exploration of existence, memory, and what it means to be human. The novel follows an unnamed girl who has lived her entire life in a cell underground, imprisoned with 39 other women under the watch of silent guards. She knows nothing of the outside world, of emotions, of relationships, of love or grief. For her, existence has always been a bare, stripped-down survival: food rationed, privacy denied, knowledge withheld. One day, circumstances change, and the women escape. What follows is not just a journey through a desolate and strange world, but also a journey of discovery. For the first time, the girl learns about life, emotions, relationships, and the vast emptiness of existence. Watching her process feelings she never had words for is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. This book is not about answers — it is about questions. Questions of identity, memory, femininity, the body, the meaning of life when no one remembers you existed. If no one carries your memory, did you ever truly exist? It forces you to confront the fragility of human life and the ways in which emotional and mental strength (or the lack of it) shape us. It’s a short book, yet it carries immense weight. It’s unsettling, emotional, and philosophical, a reflection on the female experience and human existence itself. I believe this novel resonates especially with women, but it’s a journey I would recommend to anyone. A deeply intense, unforgettable read. Highly recommended.

This book is phenomenal - in equal measures hopeful and bleak. Whilst written in 1995, it could be a tale for any times, one that stays with you long after the cover is closed. The book itself is 5* - I was left with questions but I think that is part of it and I wondered whether certain things that were missed or not done were actually deliberate actions by the author. Although made me wonder throughout, the apparent 'lack' of said things did not prevent any enjoyment of the novel or if it did, made me question why I needed them to be there (I don't wish to share any spoilers so will leave it vague). My only big no no and is the reason for the 4 stars and me even writing this review, is the kindle edition (and possibly the hard copy but I don't possess one)/this 2019 version comes with an introduction by author Sophie Mackintosh which gives spoiler quotes and analyses the book and its themes at length for several pages. I wish I hadn't read it - it takes away your ability to come at this fantastic novel with fresh eyes and your own questions and analysis (it doesn't impact it throughout but I felt that was taken from me for at least the first hour of the book). It would be better suited to be at the end and give you food for thought or say where some books ask questions about what you've just read. It feels very selfish (not sure that is the right word) to have one person's view /critique of this book be your entry way into it and so I hope that this review warns people sufficiently so they can make the decision for themselves.

Incredible story. A pretty depressing one, but so out of the ordinary and the main character was amazingly written. I pretty much devoured it.

So this one gets lots of love across the socials, and given the premise, I was keen to read it. But I’m not really sure about this one… We follow a group of women who are being kept in an underground bunker, for a very long time. With no access to the outside world in any way shape or form, other than when their captors bring them supplies and keep them in their jail. We spend most of our time focussing on the youngest in the group, known only as ‘child’ as she is blissfully unaware of a life outside of their captivity, but then they are unexpectedly freed. And then they start to venture far and wide. And it’s then they question where exactly they are This is a sad story as the story follows the group over many years, and as you learn more about their circumstances and how they adapt to their new situations. However as the size of the group starts to shrink, we’re left with the realisation that child will be the only remaining member. If you’re after a story with closure, this isn’t for you. There are a lot of questions at the end of this one. A lot! Whilst I enjoyed the book, it felt a little lacking for me because of the lack of closure.

Love the idea of this story and enjoyed following the main charactors journey through life. Great characters and story line

Amazing read

perfect all around

I read the book in 2 days, I needed to know how it ends... The book makes you question your existence and how we are shaped by what we have lived

The book arrived on time and perfect condition. This book although short packs a punch. It’s a bleak dystopian story, that has stayed with me.

I recently heard about this book and I was intrigued. After reading it, I see now why everyone recommends it. It is beautifully written. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. You will need some tissues for the end! I am passing it to my daughter to read. Amazing novel!